It is worth mentioning the geisha’s (“art prostitutes”) in ancient China were most versed in popular musical art . In the ancient time , prostitutes were of two kinds . One kind was downright prostitutes . The other kind were geisha (art prostitutes) , who were singers , dancers or musicians . The geisha contributed greatly to the spread and development of music , creating the so-called “courtesan quarter culture.” In the courtesan quarter , music was played aloud and various performances were presented , pleasing and infatuating to the aristocrats , the rich people and the common people alike .

　　The teahouse was another venue for popular musical activities . Only the people here were engaged in purer musical activities , viz ., quyi (taking and singing) . Quyi started very early . As early as in the Warring States period , Master Xun mentioned about quyi in one of his works . There are now more than three hundred forms of quyi . With the exception of cross talk , clapper talk and story-telling , music occupies and important place in all the forms . In quyi , a combination of music and talking is required . The quyi player blends ethical teachings with entertainment , so the audience is satisfied and pleased. As far as is known , there are now three main musical forms for quyi : the music of the Suzhou story telling , the music of the drumming story telling and the music of fixed tunes .

　
　　The Suzhou story telling is accompanied by a three-stringed instrument . The famous Suzhou story tellers founded respectively their schools of story telling . The surnames of the first-rate players were often adopted for the schools , such as the Ma school , the Yu school , etc . The drumming story telling is accompanied by fixed tunes of drum , clapper and three-stringed instrument , and dominates in North China . The fixed tunes are a medley of melodies from both the South and North China , sung with the accompaniment of pipa , three-stringed instrument , clapper , etc ., sometimes also with the accompaniment of reed pipe.
.　　It might be concluded that the popular music is a primary component of the recreational life of the townspeople , giving vent to their sentiments and interest in art . It forms and important aspect of the Chinese culture . In fact it originated much earlier . In Penshan country of Sichuan province a Han pottery singing and story-telling figurine was unearthed . The figurine holds a club in his left hand and a hammer in his right hand and raises his right foot , with a silly smile on his face , showing the situation at that time . Also , in the “Anthology of Commentaries” , there is an illustration of a scene in a street corner . A player is singing and beating a drum . He has two assistants . One assistant strikes a clapper and another assistant blows a flute , while a crowd is hurrying to the spot . This illustration shows the flourish of quyi vividly .