8/12/2023 0 Comments 2 string chinese instrument![]() Modern Liuqins also feature a larger body and steel strings, which have solidified its role from a folk accompanying instrument to an indispensable part of Chinese opera & Chinese orchestra. The earliest Liuqins had two to three strings and seven frets, which was increased and standardized to four strings and 29 frets over the years. The Liuqin is an excellent example of successful modernization. ![]() It has 4-strings played with a plectrum, which is why it’s often called the Chinese mandolin. This instrument has a very special role in the Chinese orchestra thanks to the penetrative sound that is never drowned out by other instruments.Īlthough it looks very similar to the Pipa, Liuqin is much smaller in size. Liuqin is one of the highest-pitched Chinese string instruments known for its bright, piercing tone. It remains an integral part of the plucked-string section of a Chinese orchestra. The Pipa has been used in contemporary classical music and even some rock and jazz music. But modern advancements have introduced steel-strings, 5-string variants as well as electric Pipas to fit better with the Western music style. The playing style and sound can be said to be similar to a banjo but it allows for greater string-bending.īecause of the way they are tuned and their distinctive “clattering” sound, Pipas are really only suited for Chinese music. The Pipa has 12 to 24 frets and 4 strings that are traditionally plucked using a large plectrum or nowadays, with fingernails or finger picks. Although the origin of the pear-shaped lute is not clear, it is likely to have been originated in Central Asia or the Indian subcontinent and was brought into China during the Han dynasty. It strongly resembles a lute with its pear-shaped body, which is the reason why it’s sometimes called the Chinese lute.Īncient Chinese texts use the word “Pipa” to refer to a variety of plucked chordophones. Pipa is a popular Chinese plucked-string instrument with a history of almost 2000 years. The mellow, contemplative sound can be attributed to it being associated with scholars & intellectuals. The instrument possesses acoustics that seem like a blend of steel-string guitar and a Sitar, however, it’s extremely quiet. This construction may seem humble enough to you, but the level of expression & detail it can produce is exquisite. The seven strings sit on the top supported by the nut & bridge. The body of the Guqin is made of a hollow tong wood chamber with tuning pegs & sound holes on the underside. The instrument consists of seven strings which were traditionally always made of high-quality silk, but recent changes have made the use of nylon-flatwound steel strings more prevalent. But it commonly uses Paulownia wood for its construction.Ī gentleman does not part with his Qin or Se without good reason. Guqin has been popular among royal families and bureaucrats who preferred to use Guqins made of rare and exotic woods like Red Sandalwood and Nanmu. Guqin has its roots back to the ancient times, when it was simply referred to as “Qin” until the suffix was later used for several other instruments like the Yangqin, Liuqin and Huqin. Want to try an Erhu? A decent beginner one doesn’t cost a lot! It has also been featured in multiple film soundtracks. Its acoustics make it suited for solo acts or in small ensembles. Traditionally, Erhus have a resonator box that’s covered in python skin, but many modern ones are made with synthetic skin which is more durable but doesn’t have the same strong timbre of snakeskin.Įrhu is one of the few traditional Chinese string instruments that have a large range, about three octaves in this case. ![]() However, it’s not as loud as the violin due to the smaller sound box. The Erhu has a poignant sound that resembles a violin, and is played in a similar fashion with a bow. The horsehair bow is threaded in between the two strings and is moved over the strings to produce sound. This makes it hard to play if you’re used to the violin. There are no frets or fingerboard, and the pitch is controlled by pressing into the strings themselves. “Hu” means “Barbarian (or non-Chinese)”, which portrays that it originated outside of China. “Er” means “two” in Chinese, analogous to the two strings on the instrument which are usually tuned to a fifth. ![]() Also known as the Chinese violin, the Erhu is a very unique and beautiful instrument that first appeared in China over 1,400 years ago during the Tang Dynasty.
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