Gongche notation

The three notes just below the central octave are usually represented by special characters: Sometimes "士" shì is used instead of "四" sì.

When the notes are sung in different opera traditions, they do not sound as the words would be pronounced in the respective regional dialects.

[citation needed] The following are two examples: Gongche notation does not mark the relative length of the notes.

Instead, marks for the percussion, understood to be played at regular intervals, are written alongside the notes.

The diagram at the left illustrates how the tune "Old McDonald Had a Farm" will look like if written in gongche notation.

The system was also introduced to Korea (where it is referred to as gong jeok bo) in ancient times and many traditional musicians still learn their music from such scores (although they typically perform from memory).

Kunkunshi, a Ryukyuan musical notation still in use for sanshin, was directly influenced by Gongche.