There are several factors causing the loss of traditional instruments, and they could be incorporated into two categories: separation from the mainstream and the difficulty of learning.

As for the modern stage, some traditional instruments are not suitable for the modern stage. The decisive factor of a good performance is not only about great music, but also about the lighting effect, choreographer, and the interaction with the audience. However, some instruments are not perfectly suitable for the modern stage due to their incompatibility with the PA system or the lack of interaction with the audience. With less performance chance, the public would have less chance to know those traditional instruments, and the further result would be the loss of popularity.

The other reason is that some instruments are not friendly to beginners. After months (or even years) of practice with little visible progress, some beginners might just give up and lose interest in that instrument. Another reason for this problem is the scarcity of instruction resources. This would increase the difficulty of initial learning, and the lack of professional players would increase the scarcity of instruction resources. What’s more, some traditional instruments are too heavy or big to carry around, which increase the difficulty of taking lessons or offline activity.

The complete system design consists of four parts: Popularity, Interests, Instructions, and Creations. The modernized instruments would have more performance chances to increase the popularity of instruments among the public. Those who got interested in instruments would have an online learning platform to improve their skills, and after they reach the professional level, they could use the music edit App to make their own creations, and those innovative creations would help increase the popularity again.

Develop special instruments which have the features of traditional instruments as well as advantages of modern music. The instruments would be more suitable for modern stages, and the electronic features would contribute to their participation in the composing of modern music. The greater media exposure would be helpful in gaining popularity.

Because of the media exposure and performances, some of the audience would get interested in the innovative traditional instruments. Some of them might want to search more about the innovative version while the others would be more interested in the original version.

As said before, one of the reasons that why traditional instruments are losing popularity is because there is no efficient instruction resources while the playing method requires superb level of skills. In that case, a learning platform would be an important part of the whole Innovation system.

Instead of telling users how you should play the new instruments, it is more meaningful to provide users with a platform for them to find out what is the best way for themselves. It could also be helpful to jump out of the loop of popularity lose.

The redesign of Chinese Lute is mainly focused on three aspects: new interaction, original features, portable solution.

Develop a new way for users to interact with the Chinese lute while performing without interrupting the playing, and

adding entertaining elements.

The original appearance and features are retained in the design to make sure the audience would know it is the modernized version of the traditional instrument rather than newly invented instruments.

Develop a portable version of Chinese lute to help users have a more convenient user experience.

The redesigned Qeej is foldable and using the electronic signals to modify the original sound of the traditional Qeej, which would serve as the portable solution. The length of the pipes is arranged from long to short, keeping the traditional features of the bamboo pipes. In addition, the overall size is reduced to a portable size.

The redesigned Chinese Lute keeps the traditional features in its appearance and uses lightweight materials to reduce the overall weight and make sure the heavyweight would not be the obstruct in learning and performing.

The redesign of Chinese Zither is mainly focused on two aspects: structure, original features.

The structure of Chinese zither could be redesigned to reduce the overall weight and.size to make it more portable.

The original appearance and features are retained in the design to make sure the audience would know it is the modernized version of the traditional instrument rather than newly invented instruments.

The redesigned Chinese Zither combines the traditional appearance of Chinese zither and some other cultural elements, and the use of lightweight materials make it easier for users to carry the instrument around.

The three instruments that already designed would be put into the process of prototype making and usability testing to see if the modernized instruments is an effective solution and direction.

The online learning platform and music edit app would be introduced in another chapter.