The Yellow Emperor was regarded as a deity . He was not only the founder of the Chinese nation , but also an ingenious composer . It is alleged that , assembling with other gods at the top of Mount Tai , he composed a tune entitled the “Clear Horn” , which was very moving . It is also alleged that later , Duke Pin of Jin State ordered Shi Kuang , a noted musician , to play the tune . At first , the musician was afraid to play this tune . As the Duke insisted , he obeyed . To their surprise , scarcely had the tune begun , grey clouds accumulated and a tempest succeeded . It was then known that the tune was a heavenly creation , not fit for the human audience . Anyway , this legend indicates in the earliest days of the Chinese society the upper class was already engaged in music .
The Zhou Dynasty pioneered in making specific rules on “rites” (sacrificial rites and official ceremonies , etc .) and “music” (the sons and dance accompanying “rites”) , which were said to be promulgated by the predominant statesman Duke of Zhou at the outset of the Zhou Dynasty . The system of rites and music had lasted until the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty . In the Zhou Dynasty , the system of rites and music had two principles : one principle 
specified the social hierarchy . The other principle specified the songs and dances accompanying the rites . The songs and dances had to be accompanied by refined music , or the “orthodox music” or “standard music” . In the later dynasties , rites and music at the courts were separated . Music was presented in the courts and palaces for amusement . Among such music presentations was the “feast music” played by professional musicians . In the “feast music” presentations in the Sui-Tang Dynasties , up to 180 professional musicians participated . Often , the monarch himself would also take part in the presentation , singing a song , and a guest would sing a song as a response . The hierarchal principles applied to such conform with their status . The “Zuo Chronicles” records a historical story that once Duke Wen of Lu State ordered a song to be sung at a feast , called “Heavy Dew .” “Heavy Dew” was a poem in the “Book of Poems”, as follows : (paraphrase) :
The Heavy Dew
The heavy dew so bright ,
Is dried up on the trunk .
Feasting long all the night ,
None will retire till drunk .
The heavy dew is bright ,
On lush grass in dell .
We feast long all the night ,
Till rings the temple bell.
Bright is the heavy dew,
On date and willow threes .
Our noble guests are true ,
And good at perfect ease .
The plane and jujube trees ,
Have their fruits hanging down .
Our guests pleased ,
Noble in manner and renown .
. In which the dew was analogous to the Duke , and the King of Zhou was compared to the sun . Where upon his guest Nin Wu , a minister of the Wei State , would not respond to him in antiphon , because the music was proper for the King .
