In the classification of musical instruments in the history of music, the “Bay-in(eight sounds)” refers to the musical sounds yielded by playing metal, stone, silk, bamboo, gourd, earthenware, skin, and wood instruments. When Hakka people migrated from the central region of China to Mei County in Guangdong province and adjoining areas in succession, they travelled across various places and incessantly assimilated folk music from those places into the style of their own music. Such fusion subsequently evolved into an exceptional tune entitled “Hakka Bay-yin”. 

In a Hakka community, people refer to a troupe which plays Bay-yin music as a profession as a “Bay-yin Troupe.” At happy occasions such as wedding ceremonies, special times and seasons, or temple fairs, a “Bay-yin Troupe” is usually invited to the scene to enhance festivities and create a merry, joyous, and enthusiastic atmosphere. Such a performance is also known as da-ba-yin , ching-tiu-ti , or ching-ta-tzu , which has become an essential and meaningful entertaining performance at various types of “happy occasions (wedding events)” hosted by Hakka people along with the inheritance and passing down of Hakka customs and cultural traditions.

The most important function of Hakka Bay-yin is to perform at banquets, greeting of guests, and at the worshipping ceremonies of gods or ancestors. According to its orchestra establishment and repertoire, Hakka Bay-yin can be divided into two categories: ku-chui and xian-suo, both of which use a sona as the main instrument. Ku-chui, which is also known as chui-chang, uses a sona as the main instrument and a drum as a secondary instrument. Xian-suo also has two types: the first type of xian-suo is a wind and string instrument ensemble whereas the other type of xian-suo uses a suona as the main instrument and silk and bamboo instruments as auxiliary instruments.