At that time the emperor, courtiers, nobility, literati, and gentry were all besotted with poetry. At all events, whether for one's own amusement or for guests, there would always be courtesans to sing or recite. Sometimes the vocal element would be complemented with music by woodwinds and strings, or with dance.
唐朝時發展出來的律詩、絕句，講求平仄、押韻，則是以吟誦為主，當時皇親貴族、文人雅士愛詩成癡，不論娛賓或自娛，都時興由歌妓舞女來歌唱或吟詠，有時和以管弦，有時配以舞蹈。