In the Song dynasty (960-1279), shuochang, a style of popular entertainment consisting mainly of talking and singing, came into vogue, and percussion instruments such as drums and bamboo clappers were the indispensable accoutrements which storytellers used to modulate their rhythm. This gave rise to various rhythmic storytelling styles.
宋朝時說唱興起，打擊樂器如大鼓、竹板都是說書人拿在手中調整節奏的法寶，因而產生京韻大鼓、竹板快書等說唱藝術。