Taoist Music of Mount Laoshan
In the Qing Dynasty, Taoists in all the temples of Mount Laoshan mostly embarked on practicing Wushu and disseminating metaphysics, as well as playing musical instruments and studying calligraphy. Meanwhile, scholars from all around and some musicians came to visit Mount Laoshan. Thus, the Yuzhen Nunnery, Taiqing Palace and Baiyun Cavern became three centers of Taoist Music. Sutra Music inherited from the Ming Dynasty was popular. Besides, music played by Ancient Qin (a kind of string musical instruments) was very popular. In addition, places like Tianhou Palace and Baifu Nunnery appeared to be gathering places for Yingfeng musical performances. Since then, thanks to the continuous work of those pious founders of Taoism of all schools, part of the sutra music of various schools, such as Suishan, Longmen. Qingjing, Jinshan, Huashan, and Penglai, some ancient music and Yingfeng music have been gradually handed down till today.
Yanggo
The Yanggo is a kind of folk songs and dances, which was popular in the Qingdao area for hundreds of years. Yanggo teams would make performances in all parts of the city on each festival and celebration. In the past years, Yanggo has turned into an activity for self-entertainment. The Yanggo in Jiaodong is also called "Di Yanggo", which values the dances and instrument accompanying in the performances and is very much appealing to the general public. Jimo Yanggo puts emphasis on singing and dancing with a colorful and splendid stage effects. While Mount Laoshan Yanggo, which is delightful and humorous, draws inspiration from stories in the traditional opera. Jiaonan Yanggo, which is vigorous and lively, excels in performing the folk operas.
Jiao'ao Gongs and Drums Music
The Folk gongs and Drums Music in Jiao'ao has a very long history. Under the influence of the traditional cultures of Qi and Lu, it is not only bold and unstrained, but also contains beautiful melody, rich content, varied arrangements of ideas, explicit rhythm and strong musical flavor. As it is mainly adopted in the folk music performances, dances and traditional opera performances, it boasts its unique charm in Chinese folk arts.
Quyi
Quyi in Qingdao carries the forms of comic dialogue, operculum, music, dance, magic, and light comedy, with a specialty of the northern Quyi. Qingdao Traditional Folk Arts Ensemble was established in 1958. it has presented many popular pieces of works concerning the real life and won a lot of prizes in the cultural and art competition at municipal, provincial and state levels.
Willow Tune
The Willow Tune has come into existence with Elbow Drum Music, being mixed with the local folk tunes in Jimo of Qingdao City. It is very popular in general public and now is performed by professional groups.
Mao Tune
Mao Tune is the essence of the traditional opera in Jiaodong area. While singing the Mao Tune, people would hit the drum hanging on their elbow with the rhythm. Therefore, it is also called "Elbow Drum Music", "Zhouguzi", "Zhenggezi", and "Benzhouzi", "Maozhouzi" etc in the later stage. The tune was formally named "Mao Tune" in June 1950. an antithetical couplets-the Tune will appeal to the public and then become a favorite-has been created to vividly demonstrate the glamour of this form of art-Mao Tune.