Chinese Musical Instruments

Chinese music and musical instruments are quite wonderful. Most of them playing a standard western scale, some play in a haunting pentatonic scale.

Gu zheng

The Zheng (Chinese Koto) is a famous traditional Chinese plucked instrument which developed from a small instrument made of bamboo originally used by ancient herdsmen. It proved to be very popular even in ancient times, as early as the Ch'in Dynasty (255 BC - 206 BC). The tone quality of the Zheng is mellow and clear.

Dizi

The dizi is a bamboo flute. It has been suggested that the instrument originated in Asia Minor or Central Asia, over 2000 years ago. It is a unique solo instrument and is also used extensively in ensembles and orchestras. These flutes have 6 open holes and a lovely bright sound. Often dizi players will carry around several flutes for all the different keys.

Xiao

The xiao, or Chinese shakuhachi, is made of bamboo and originated over 2000 years ago. It was some time during the Tang and Sung Dynasty when the vertically-played instruments were categorized as xiao and those horizontally-played as dizi. The xiao is not only a unique solo instrument but is also used widely in ensembles and for accompanying purposes. Its mellow tone quality makes it most suitable for playing lyrical melodies.

Clappers & Rhythm Instruments

Clappers are wooden blocks which are used to beat rhythm. They are frequently used in traditional operas and ensembles such as in Peking Opera.

Liuyeqin

The liuyeqin is a small instrument with a history of about 100 years. It was originally used to accompany folk operas of the ShanDong Province of China, and is now used in the Chinese orchestra. Because of its colorful and distinctive tone quality, the liuyeqin is also commonly used for solo performances. The liuyeqin has four strings and 24 frets.

Sanxian

The sanxian (a long-necked lute) is a 3-string plucked instrument with snake skin membrane stretched over a resonator. Owing to its distinctive acoustical properties - rich, full tonal quality, great volume and a wide range - the sanxian is widely used for accompaniment, orchestral and solo performances. Variation in the art of playing the sanxian also enables the long neck to be adapted for different uses. Sanxian is made in 3 sizes: large, medium and small. The large one is used mainly for accompanying story singing and music drama performances.

Suona

The suona is an ancient wind instrument, like an oboe, and is also called the 'la ba'. The body is made of wood with a metal bellat one end and a straw double-reed at the other. The suona is used in orchestral ensembles as well as for solos, and has a big bright full sound.

Sheng

The sheng, also called the Chinese mouth organ, is one of the oldest Chinese instruments. It has a history of thousands of years and is manufacture and use was reported in ancient Chinese history. The sheng is the instrument that inspired the invention of the concertina, accordion and harmonica, and uses the same technology of metal reeds that vibrate as air passes through them. It has a wonderful sound, and can play melody and chordal accompaniment all at once.

Buddhist Ritual Bowl Gongs

You can create the rich resonant tones heard in ancient Buddhist shrine and Chinese rituals with these bronze and copper temple bowl gongs. Their deep tones are made by striking either the sides or the rims with the rubber covered striker.

Temple Blocks

(Wooden Fish) Temple blocks are made of a hollow wooden block and were originally used by Buddhist priests to beat rhythm when chanting scriptures. In recent years, a full set of wooden fish has been produced for use in the orchestra.

Guqin (Chin)

The guqin is a seven-stringed plucked instrument. Its body is a long wooden sound box. Two sound-holes which are called 'Fengzhao' and 'Longchi' can be found at the bottom. Guqin is played by plucking and pressing the strings with the right hand and left hand respectively. Rich and colorful quiet sound. In the past, it was frequently used for accompaniment. With a long history of development, the playing of this instrument has become a distinctive performing art. At present, some 150 old musical scores for the Guqin are maintained.

Pipa

Pipa is the leading instrument of the Chinese plucked-string instrumental group. The pipa is a Chinese lute which is pear-shaped and goes back more than 2000 years. Because it has a resonant, clear and enchanting timbre, the pipa holds a unique position among China's many plucked instruments. Playing techniques vary widely. It is used commonly as a solo and orchestral instrument, both in China and abroad. There are 19 to 26 bamboo frets glued to the belly of the lute. The four strings of the Pipa are tuned respectively A, D, E, A. Its ancestry could well be the Persian Barbat, but because the Chinese have developed so many different schools and technique for playing it, the Pipa is considered to the characteristic of Chinese music. The large amount of composition exists for Pipa can be classified as "Civil Programme" and "Military Programme" The "Civil" type is expressive and elegant while the "Military" type is majestic and fierce. There are about 48 playing techniques for the right hand and 24 for the left hand. Presently the Pipa performers like to attach plastic nails on their hand to play instead of using plectrum. 

Ruan

The ruan (a short-necked lute) is a Chinese fretted instrument dating back to 140-87 B.C. It is a short necked Chinese foiled lute, 4 strings, played by  plectrum. It is used by orchestras as well as for accompanying operatic performances. The ruan consists of three parts: resonator, neck and head. On the neck are 24 frets in half steps. Four strings, tuned to fifths (like a mandolin), provide a wide range of notes. It comes in several sizes according to their different ranges. Neat delicate tone.

Yuet Chin

Fretted instrument from China, also called the Moon Guitar.

Yang Chin

The yang chin is the Chinese hammered dulcimer. The instrument is supposed to have originated from Persia which is the present day Iran. The Yangqin was transferred from Persia during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D), first popular in the Guangdong province, and was subsequently popular throughout China. It's played with 2 bamboo sticks. Stops are used to provide semitones and to increase range, and sliders and rollers are used to make modulation possible and to facilitate quick and accurate tuning. The timbre is clear and bright with a wide tonal range, being accompaniment to other Chinese musical instruments, lyric performances or played solo. Traditionally the Yangqin has two sound bridges and its tone are arranged in pentatonic scale. Now it has developed to five sound bridges and is tuned with full semitones.  The yangqin is now one of the principal instruments of the Chinese orchestra.

Drums

The history of drums in China is longer than that of wind and string instruments. The character of 'drum' was first found in the inscriptions on bones or tortoise shells of the Shang Dynasty. As the instrument can produce different sound effects, it is frequently used in joyful and exciting occasions.

Chin Chin

Chinese 4 string banjo, aluminum body, Chinese scale.

Chinese Gongs

Gongs are round percussion instruments made of brass. Their diameter varies from 3 to 4 inches to 3 to 4 feet. Big gongs are played with a hammer which is wrapped in cloth, whereas small gongs are played with bamboo or wooden sticks. The instrument is commonly used in traditional operas and folk music.

Hanging Temple Bells

Very rich sound.

Ge Hu

The Ge hu looks like a giant erhu with 4 strings. Tuned and played like a cello.

Erhu

Bowed instruments became popular in China during the Sung Dynasty (960 to 1279 AD). The erhu is one of the most widely used bowed instruments in China, and its tone is mellow and bright. Played with a variety of techniques, it is now extremely popular for both solo and orchestral performances. The instrument has two strings and is played with the bow clasped between them. The sound box is covered by snake skin which gives the instrument its distinctive tone color.

 

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