In the face of the real crisis of national destruction, China's advanced intellectuals went overseas to study. Xiao, Xiao, Xiao, Xiao and later Wang Guangqi were among them. They have systematically investigated and studied the basic theory, historical evolution, composition technology and music education system of western professional music in Japan or Germany, and have mastered a relatively complete knowledge of western professional music. In addition, most of them have a comprehensive understanding and profound cultivation of the traditional music of the motherland. Therefore, the experience of studying abroad or studying abroad makes them the first batch of modern cutting-edge musicians who are familiar with ancient and modern music and Chinese and western music. With great patriotic enthusiasm, they shoulder the historical responsibility of opening people's wisdom, awakening the public and transforming national character by means of music and art. At the beginning of the 20th century, they put forward the slogan of imitating western music, improving old music and creating new music in China music scene, which set off a magnificent new one. School Music Song, which originated at the end of19th century and reached its peak in the first two decades of 20th century, was the first cry of new professional music in China in this century, and its representatives Shen Xingong, Ceng Zhimin and Li Shutong became midwives of the new music movement. Li Shutong's three songs, Early Autumn, Farewell and Spring Tour, can be regarded as the origin of professional music creation in China. Since then, with the joint efforts of Xiao, Xiao, Xiao and Liu Tianhua, China's professional music creation has started a glorious and tortuous course. The above-mentioned people, Li Jinhui, Huang Zi, etc. Hard work and continuous cultivation in this land have finally produced the first batch of fine music creations in orchestral music, songs, chamber music, erhu and pipa, piano and violin, children's songs and dances, musicals, etc., and founded the first modern higher music institution in China-"Shanghai National Conservatory of Music" (1929 was renamed as "National Conservatory of Music"). At that time, the strategic trend of modern professional music in China was established in the complicated music ideological disputes, that is, on the basis of inheriting the excellent tradition of national folk music and drawing lessons from the advanced western music experience, a modern China national music school that can keep pace with the developed music culture of advanced countries in the world was created.

The September 18th Incident, which shocked China and foreign countries, pushed the Chinese nation to the brink of national subjugation and extinction, and at the same time changed the development direction of modern professional music in China-resisting Japan and saving the country became the theme and aspiration of China musicians. "Roar for the Anti-Japanese War, speak for the public", in the rising mass singing movement of resisting Japan and saving the nation, thousands of music works have been produced, and a large number of patriotic and talented musicians represented by Nie Er and Xian Xinghai have emerged. From 193 1 to 1945, in addition to Wang Yang's great achievements in the field of song creation, there are almost all masterpieces handed down from ancient times in the fields of symphony, chorus, opera, art songs, piano and violin music. Historical progress has also been made in the fields of music performance, music theory and music education. Huang Zi, He Lvting, Ma Sicong, Luji, Ding Shande and Zheng Zhisheng all made important contributions in their respective professional fields.

In the great war of liberation, the prosperity of satirical songs in Kuomintang-controlled areas, military songs in liberated areas and battle marches reflected people's different mentality and pursuit of democracy and freedom under different political systems.