INTRODUCTION Traditional Chinese wedding ceremonies serve as rich cultur- al reservoirs, showcasing an interplay of music, rituals, and symbolism reflecting the Chinese heritage’s essence. Among the various elements, folk music is distinguished, enhancing the ceremonial experience with its vibrant expressions and cultural depth (Huang et al., 2024; Zhou & Chuangprakhon, 2023). The Suona, a double-reed woodwind instrument, is central to this musical tradition. Renowned for its resonant and festive sound, the Suona has become indispensable to weddings, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities. Its adaptability allows it to express celebratory and som- ber tones, making it versatile across various cultural events (Howard, 2022; Xiaohuan et al., 2023; Zhang & Li, 2020). A prominent example of Suona’s wedding repertoire is ‘Luo Di Jin Qian,’ translating to “A Lot of Money Falling to the Ground.” This piece symbolizes prosperity and blessings and acts as a medium for transmitting the cultural and tech- nical literacy of Suona music to both performers and audi- ences. The present study delves into the role of ‘Luo Di Jin Qian’ as a case study to explore how Suona music literacy is cultivated in the context of traditional Chinese weddings (Chao & Nicolas, 2024; Zhang et al., 2024). Published by Australian International Academic Centre PTY.LTD. Copyright (c) the author(s). This is an open access article under CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.13n.1p.72 Despite its cultural significance, Suona music needs help retaining its relevance in contemporary times. Rapid urban- ization, globalization, and the advent of modern entertain- ment forms have led to the gradual decline of traditional music practices in many communities. Traditionally per- formed live, wedding music is increasingly replaced by dig- ital recordings or modern ensembles, risking the erosion of age-old traditions. This transition threatens the transmission of Suona musical literacy, which relies heavily on oral tra- dition, practice-based learning, and community engagement (Sen & Sondhiratna, 2024; Wang & Li, 2024). Consequently, younger generations are becoming less familiar with the rich repertoire and techniques of the Suona, including iconic pieces like ‘Luo Di Jin Qian.’ Addressing this gap requires an in-depth understanding of how Suona music fosters cul- tural and musical literacy, exemplified by ‘Luo Di Jin Qian.’ By examining this repertoire piece, the study sheds light on the broader implications of preserving traditional music in a rapidly modernizing society (Qiu et al., 2023; Yu & Leung, 2019; Wu & Chuangprakhon, 2024). This research investigates the literacy aspects of Suona musical instruments in the context of wedding ceremonies by analyzing the repertoire piece ‘Luo Di Jin Qian.’ Musical literacy encompasses performing and interpreting music and International Journal of Education & Literacy Studies ISSN: 2202-9478 www.ijels.aiac.org.au ABSTRACT The Suona musical instrument is a double-reed woodwind instrument renowned for its resonant and expressive sound, central to Chinese folk music. This study investigates the literacy aspects of Suona musical instruments in the context of wedding ceremonies by analyzing the repertoire piece ‘Luo Di Jin Qian.’ Specifically, it symbolizes prosperity and blessings, making it integral to wedding celebrations. This qualitative case study conducted in Tongsi Town, Sichuan Province, used interviews with senior Suona performers, field observations, and musical analysis to explore how this repertoire piece embodies the technical mastery, cultural symbolism, and communal interaction inherent in Suona music. The findings highlight the intricate techniques, such as trills and grace notes, required for effective performance and the oral traditions that transmit these skills across generations. Audience engagement emerged as a critical element, fostering shared cultural appreciation and reinforcing communal identity. However, modernization poses challenges to preserving these traditions, with live performances increasingly replaced by digital recordings. The study concludes with recommendations for integrating Suona music into education, promoting live performances, and leveraging digital tools to sustain oral traditions. These insights contribute to the broader discourse on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in a rapidly modernizing world. Key words: Suona, Chinese Music Instruments, Chinese Wedding Music, Musical Literacy, Cultural Heritage Preservation Suona Musical Instruments Literacy for Wedding through ‘Luo Di Jin Qian’ Repertoire Piece Ying Ren, Pitsanu Boonsrianan*, Thanaporn Bhengsri College of Music, Mahasarakham University, Thailand Corresponding author: Pitsanu Boonsrianan, E-mail: pitsanu.b@msu.ac.th ARTICLE INFO Article history Received: September 27, 2024 Accepted: December 30, 2024 Published: January 31, 2025 Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Conflicts of interest: None Funding: None