中國的歌唱傳統源遠流長，歷代關於歌唱方法的文字記載，最早可追溯到成書於漢代的《樂記》。明清以降的古籍有關發音方法的理論，有所課「五音四呼論」、「頭腹尾論」和「四聲論」。本文研究發現，這些主要應戲曲的演唱需求而建構的傳統發音理論，並不適合於學校的歌唱教學；學校教學應以指導「美聲唱法」，方稱允當。

　　　　　The tradition of Chinese singing has a long history. Ancient words of singing method can be traced back to《 Music Record》, which was compiled during the Han dynasty. Down through the Ming and the Qing dynasty, Chinese diction theories in ancient books included so-called "Theory of Five Consonants, Four Vowels", "Theory of Pronunciation's Head, Abdomen and Tail" and "Theory of Pronunciation's Four Tunes'. This article conclude: Since those theories were constructed for singing usage of drama, they are not suitable for singing instruction in primary and secondary schools. Instead, teachers should teach students the principle of "Bel Canto".