Popular Tradition

This paper is trying to do the research on the process of which Chinese traditional music changes from folk to professional, and then becomes popular after the emergence of "New national music". On one hand, the specialization of traditional music in 1930s and 1940s, especially the institutionalization of traditional music after the Liberation collects a large amount of musical resources and performers. On the other hand, pop music grows fast, which develops a great pop music market. Under this background, the author does the research taking the "12 Girls band" as an example from the perspective of national instrumental music, in order to prove the best joint point between traditional music and pop music. This kind of musical performance not only is the existing and continued form of national instrumental music, but also has a large amount of audience.This paper takes the specialization of last century as the background. The author will develop the paper from two perspectives, namely the specialization of the traditional music from 1930s and 1940s, and the development of pop music in China since the Liberation and Reform, which influence each other but remain independent.Under the influence of this background, a new band "12 Girls band" comes into being in the field of national instrumental music. The author will discuss the process of its emergence from the perspective of aesthetic characteristics of the times, the industrialization of culture, the free choice by the market, etc; the influence of the pluralistic aesthetics and auditory, visual and cultural industry upon the formation of the phenomena; and how the traditional music has its way to pop music based on the works and compositions of the band.From analysis herebefore, the author concludes that the "12 Girls band" is a combination of tradition and popularity. It is neither a total tradition nor popularity. This kind of musical performance form not only has a large number of audiences, but also adds a new existing form of national instrumental music.The paper is divided into four parts:First, general introduction. This paper will discuss the background of their emergence (namely, how could folk music become popular during the period from the specialization in 1930s and 1940s to the Liberation and Reform). Second, the analysis of "12 Girls band", namely their performance forms.Third, this paper will discuss the joint point of tradition and modern, which can not be separated.Forth, Conclusion.