After the Zhou Dynasty came to power, the Western Zhou Dynasty formulated the rites and music of the Zhou Dynasty in BC 1058 on the basis of the rites and music of the Xia and Shang Dynasties (the "rites" of the rites and music are the combination of patriarchal clan system and hierarchical system, and "music" is music, including the compilation of bands and dances, the use of music and dance, and so on. ), as the code of conduct of slave owners, slaves at all levels must enjoy rites and music according to their status-in the middle of rituals, nobles and people are divided into many grades, and differences and restrictions in all aspects of life are stipulated for each grade. At the same time, the rulers of the Zhou Dynasty had a considerable understanding of the social function of music. They regard ceremony and music as equally important and closely combine them as an effective means to maintain social order and consolidate dynasty rule. They also strictly stipulated the system of music application at all levels to reflect the relationship between monarch, minister, father and son, brother, couple and friends. For example:

1. Regarding the arrangement of bands and the number of musical instruments, it is stipulated that Wang's bands and all musical instruments can be arranged in the east, west, north and south, princes can be arranged on three sides, ministers and doctors can be arranged on two sides, and scholars can only be arranged on one side.

2. Regarding the number of people used in the dance team and the arrangement method, it is stipulated that Wang's dance team can be a dance team of eight people and eight dance teams, that is, a dance team composed of sixty-four people; Gentlemen can form a dance team of six people, a dance team of six people means 36 people, and a dance team of four people means 16 people. (1 2, for reference, p33 music, Volume I of History of Ancient Music in China, edited by Yang, published by People's Music Publishing House. )

3. When holding a "shooting ceremony", different ranks use different music. Wang uses "Li Yu", Wang uses "beaver head", doctors use "picking apples" and scholars use "picking dragonflies". (Reference: A Brief History of China Music edited by Chen and Chen Lingqun, Palace Music p28, Higher Education Press. )

When a dynasty formulates a system, it needs to establish corresponding departments to ensure the implementation, management and perfection of the system, and form a corresponding education system to ensure the promotion and inheritance of the system.

The ritual and music system of the Zhou Dynasty naturally needs such protection, that is, the music institution of the Wang family in the Zhou Dynasty. The music organization of the Wangs in the Zhou Dynasty was headed by "Da Le Si", with no less than 1463 people. The functions of this institution include music management, music education and music performance. But as far as music education is concerned, this institution is the earliest music school in the world. Among the 1463 people, except for a few nobles with low status, 1277 people belong to the serf class. It can be seen that the main force of creation and performance in court music institutions is serfs. However, the leaders at all levels in music administration and music education are all borne by nobles, and with the different degrees of attention paid by rulers to various music affairs, the corresponding levels of music officials are also different. The higher the degree of attention, the higher the level of music officials. It can be seen that the ruling class has very strict class control over music activities.

In this respect, we can see that the rulers attach great importance to the system of rites and music and the huge government projects. It also caused some people's deep thinking and opposition. Like Mozi. Mozi, the founder of Mohism, holds a negative attitude towards music and opposes Confucianism. In the first part of Mozi Le Fei, Mozi admitted that music can make people happy and give them a sense of beauty. He said, "If you don't beat gongs and drums, you will think that you are unhappy" and "you will know that you are happy". However, "the entrance examination is not to test the holy king, and the next examination is not to test the interests of all the people." Music is not good for the king and everyone. Secondly, he believes that music can't solve the "three evils" of ordinary people, that is, "the hungry can't eat, the cold can't clothe, and the laborer can't rest." Music can not only "benefit the world, but also increase the burden of working people and cause a serious waste of social resources." Mozi believes that if a prince wants to appreciate music, he must make musical instruments, and making musical instruments is "generous to everyone"; With musical instruments, young men and women in their prime will play, wasting labor; With music, the prince sits and listens alone, not to mention happiness, let alone wasting the time of gentlemen and bitches who listen to music.

In terms of music education, in fact, the nobles in Shang Dynasty all had special school education, but in the Western Zhou Dynasty, the ruling class was more complete in order to cooperate with the implementation of the ritual and music system. So-called primary schools and universities have been established. The main teaching content is "Six Arts", that is, "Rite, Music, Shooting, Imperial, Calligraphy and Numbering", among which Rite, Music, Shooting and Imperial are the main ones. The object of music education is mainly the children of aristocrats (that is, the sons of princes and countries), but some talents are also selected from freemen and serfs, and promoted to the level of lower aristocrats to learn music with the children of upper aristocrats. The prince is the son of the king and the prince, and the prince is the child of the doctor. From the age of six to the twenties, aristocratic education is a complete education system that is gradual, from easy to difficult, and from simple to complex. In this system, the proportion of "ceremony" and "music" is very heavy. The purpose of learning etiquette and music is not to engage in various musical performances as it is today. The purpose of this teaching is to enable these young people to use music to rule the serfs, anesthetize them, prevent them from resisting, and ask the people to maintain a peaceful attitude; The purpose of their study is naturally to realize the "ruling the country with rites and music" advocated by the ruling class. In the final analysis, "Music Education in the Western Zhou Dynasty" is only a means for the rulers of the Western Zhou Dynasty to govern the country. Through the music education of various nobles and a few serfs, the concept of hierarchy is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and spread, thus reducing the threat of rebellion and ensuring the ruling position of the rulers to a certain extent.

Throughout the history of the world, no matter which country, which era or which system operates, it is impossible to run smoothly. So is the ritual and music system in the Western Zhou Dynasty. After the Spring and Autumn Period, private schools began to rise, which gradually changed the situation that music education was out of reach with Shu Ren. There are many types of private schools, including scholars, court professionals and folk musicians. Folk music education in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period mainly refers to folk music education activities. During this period, the official school also showed a new development trend, and the focus began to shift from the royal family to the princes' palace, and began to shift from one educational center to multiple centers in the palace. The object and content of music education have also undergone some changes. For example, in addition to the prince and the son of the country, the education target includes musicians and musicians. More and more people participate in music, which promotes the thorough breaking of the strict rules of rites and music. Princes, doctors and even scholars openly use "the joy of the son of heaven". Therefore, the rupture of the system of rites and music has also been denounced by Confucian representatives (Confucius, Mencius and Xunzi).

However, no matter how thinkers evaluate the ritual and music system of the Western Zhou Dynasty, it is certain that it is precisely because of the birth of the ritual and music system that the Zhou Dynasty became the first peak of music development in the ancient history of China. It established the earliest and most perfect music institution in China, formed an effective education system, and made great contributions to the development of music in China. As far as China music is concerned, the ritual and music system of the Western Zhou Dynasty is undoubtedly an accelerator in the history of China music. Through the support, encouragement and leadership of the emperors, China's music left an eternal mark in the world music industry at that time. This brush always shows the wisdom and talent of our ancestors, and at the same time inspires the progress and development of our modern China music.