Jiangnan sizhu is characteristically gentle and elegant. The performance skill and style are imbued with Chinese social culture that emphasizes modesty, harmony and innovation.

The traditional tunes include 'Zhonghua' 'Liuban', 'Sanliu', 'Xingjie', 'Sihe', and 'Yunqing'. Renowned Chinese musician Nie Er (1912-1935) once adopted the Jiangnan sizhu 'Daobaban' into 'A Wild Dance of the Golden Snake', which became a hit across the country.

The evolution of sizhu music is very important for the study of folk music history and popular culture. During the 1960s and 1970s, the traditional sizhu music bands all disbanded. Many of the old artists are over 70 and are passing away. Few have descendants that have learned the ancient repertoires. Jiangnan sizhu is in danger of dying out too.