Music is universal across all civilisations, both ancient and modern, and stands as one of the great joys of life.
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Another joy is that many of the oldest songs and instruments can be played hundreds, and sometimes even thousands, of years later.
Ancient Chinese music features a distinctive sound, enriched by the centuries-long use of string instruments such as guqins and erhus, various types of flutes, and even an ancient organ-like instrument known as the sheng.
Here are four of the most important ancient Chinese instruments and the songs that have come to define them.
Pipa – Ambush from Ten Sides