He composed works for Chinese instruments and several songs while studying music theory and the pipa at the Shanghai Conservatory.
In 1939, he moved to the United States, where he did further studies with Paul Hindemith at Yale and the Oberlin College.
He had won a John Day Jackson scholarship with his string trio (1945).
His pupils include Qu Xixian, Chen Peixun and Sang Tong.
Tan is regarded as one of the pioneers of the modern art music of China.