C-ambient | |
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Stylistic origins |
Neo-classical C-pop Traditional Chinese Electronic, especially ambient New-age Minimalist Psychedelic rock Krautrock Space rock Symphonic rock |
Cultural origins | Underground popularity in China since 1990s; trace the roots to 1980s |
Typical instruments | Electronic and electroacoustic traditional Chinese music instruments using the pentatonic scale |
Regional scenes | |
People's Republic of China |
C-ambient is an abbreviation of Chinese ambient music, a loosely defined musical genre in mainland China. Similarly to the term C-pop, it was coined by the Chinese media in order to distinguish Chinese ambient musicians from foreign musicians. The origin of modern C-ambient is said to be pioneered by Chen Qigang, who wanted to create ambient music inspired by French artists particularly Jean Michel Jarre in the Chinese-language popular culture and media [1]. Stylistically, C-ambient differs from ambient in that C-ambient employs elements of ethnic Chinese music and traditional Chinese music instruments which can be played with a pentatonic scale, such as er hu and pi pa, often electric, electroacoustic or distorted as opposed to acoustic.