Chinese traditional instruments have long captivated the world with their unique sounds and cultural significance. From the erhu and pipa, which have gained international recognition, to lesser-known instruments that are valued for their unique sounds and cultural significance, these instruments have played an important role in China’s rich and diverse musical tradition.
Whether you are a seasoned musician or simply someone interested in experiencing the beauty of traditional Chinese music, these instruments are sure to fascinate and delight. From the delicate melodies of the guqin and xiao, to the rhythmic beats of the drum and gong, there is something for everyone.
And while these instruments may seem mysterious and unfamiliar to some, they are not difficult to learn and can provide a lifetime of enjoyment. So if you are looking to delve into the rich and diverse world of traditional Chinese music, consider taking up one of these instruments. Who knows, you may just discover a passion that will last a lifetime.
1. Erhu 二胡 (èr hú)
| Number of strings | 2 |
| Range | 2 octaves |
| Tuning | A minor or C major |
| Playing technique | Bow, with a range of techniques including vibrato, glissando, and varied bow pressure, speed, and angle to create timbre and dynamics. |
The erhu is a two-stringed bowed instrument that is also known as the “Chinese violin.” It has a distinctive sound and is commonly used in Chinese folk and classical music. The erhu is held vertically and played with a bow, and it has a small soundbox and a long neck.
2. Pipa 琵琶 (pí pá)
The pipa is a four-stringed plucked instrument that is shaped like a pear and has a long neck. It is commonly used in Chinese classical and traditional music. The pipa is held vertically and played with the fingers, and it has a distinctive sound that is produced by the strings being plucked and the soundboard resonating.
3. Zhongruan 中阮 (zhōng ruǎn)
| Number of strings | 4 |
| Range | 3 to 4 octaves |
| Tuning | The zhongruan is usually tuned to an open G tuning, with the strings tuned to G, D, G, and D, although other tunings are also used. |
| Playing technique | The zhongruan is played with the fingers and is often held horizontally on the lap. The player uses a variety of techniques, including plucking, strumming, and picking, to create a wide range of timbres and dynamics. The player can also use vibrato, glissando, and other techniques to add expression to the music. |
The zhongruan is a plucked string instrument that is similar to the pipa, but has a longer neck and a rounder body. It is often used in traditional Chinese ensemble music. The zhongruan is played with a pick and has a bright, clear sound.
4. Dizi 笛子 (dí zǐ)
| Number of strings | 4 |
| Range | 3 to 4 octaves |
| Tuning | The pipa is usually tuned to an open G tuning, with the strings tuned to G, D, G, and D, although other tunings are also used. |
| Playing technique | The pipa is played with the fingers and is often held vertically on the lap. The player uses a variety of techniques, including plucking, strumming, and picking, to create a wide range of timbres and dynamics. The player can also use vibrato, glissando, and other techniques to add expression to the music. |
The dizi is a transverse flute that is commonly used in Chinese music. It has a distinctive sound and is made from bamboo. The dizi is played by blowing into a hole at one end and covering and uncovering various fingerholes along the length of the flute to produce different pitches.
5. Guqin 古琴 (gǔ qín)
| Number of strings | 7 |
| Range | 4 octaves |
| Tuning | The guqin is usually tuned to a pentatonic scale, with the strings tuned to G, D, A, E, and B, although other tunings are also used. |
| Playing technique | The guqin is played with the fingers and is often held horizontally on the lap. The player uses a variety of techniques, including plucking, strumming, and picking, to create a wide range of timbres and dynamics. The player can also use vibrato, glissando, and other techniques to add expression to the music. |
The guqin is a seven-stringed plucked instrument that has a long history in China. It is known for its subtle and delicate sound and is often associated with Chinese intellectuals and scholars. The guqin is played with the fingers and has a rich, complex sound that is produced by the strings being plucked and the soundboard resonating.
6. Yangqin 扬琴 (yáng qín)
| Number of strings | 30 to 50 |
| Range | 3 to 4 octaves |
| Tuning | The yangqin is usually tuned to a diatonic scale, with the strings tuned to the notes of the scale, although other tunings are also used. |
| Playing technique | The yangqin is played with small hammers and is often held horizontally on a stand. The player strikes the strings with the hammers to create a wide range of timbres and dynamics. The player can also use vibrato, glissando, and other techniques to add expression to the music. |
The yangqin is a hammered dulcimer that is commonly used in Chinese music. It has a distinctive sound and is made from wood and metal strings. The yangqin is played with small hammers and has a bright, ringing sound.
7. Sanxian 三弦 (sān xián)
| Number of strings | 3 |
| Range | 2 to 3 octaves |
| Tuning | The sanxian is usually tuned to a pentatonic scale, with the strings tuned to G, D, A, E, and B, although other tunings are also used. |
| Playing technique | The sanxian is played with the fingers and is often held horizontally on the lap. The player uses a variety of techniques, including plucking, strumming, and picking, to create a wide range of timbres and dynamics. The player can also use vibrato, glissando, and other techniques to add expression to the music. |
The sanxian is a three-stringed plucked instrument that is similar to the lute. It has a long neck and a pear-shaped body and is commonly used in Chinese traditional music. The sanxian is played with a pick and has a bright, twangy sound.
8. Ruan 阮 (ruǎn)
| Number of strings | 4 |
| Range | 3 to 4 octaves |
| Tuning | The ruan is usually tuned to an open G tuning, with the strings tuned to G, D, G, and D, although other tunings are also used. |
| Playing technique | The ruan is played with the fingers and is often held horizontally on the lap. The player uses a variety of techniques, including plucking, strumming, and picking, to create a wide range of timbres and dynamics. The player can also use vibrato, glissando, and other techniques to add expression to the music. |
The ruan is a plucked string instrument that is similar to the guqin and the pipa. It has a round body and a long neck and is commonly used in Chinese traditional music. The ruan is played with a pick and has a bright, clear sound.
9. Liuqin 柳琴 (liǔ qín)
| Number of strings | 4 |
| Range | 2 to 3 octaves |
| Tuning | The liuqin is usually tuned to a pentatonic scale, with the strings tuned to G, D, A, E, and B, although other tunings are also used. |
| Playing technique | The liuqin is played with the fingers and is often held horizontally on the lap. The player uses a variety of techniques, including plucking, strumming, and picking, to create a wide range of timbres and dynamics. The player can also use vibrato, glissando, and other techniques to add expression to the music. |
The Liuqin is a Chinese mandolin with three, four, or five strings and a pear-shaped body. Its voice is much higher in range than the Pipa, and holds its own special place in Chinese music. The modernization of Liuqin’s usage in recent years led to an increased appreciation of its unique tonal and acoustic qualities.
The Liuqin is held diagonally and its strings are elevated by a bridge. The soundboard has two prominent soundholes, and the instrument is played with a pick using techniques similar to those used for the Ruan and Yueqin.
The Liuqin is often played by those with experience with the Ruan and Yueqin. Its position is lower than the Pipa, and it was previously used as an accompaniment instrument in folk Chinese opera. However, its status has gradually risen, leading to its current recognition as a respected instrument in its own right.
10. Gaohu 高胡 (gāo hú)
| Number of strings | 4 |
| Range | 2 to 3 octaves |
| Tuning | The gaohu is usually tuned to a pentatonic scale, with the strings tuned to G, D, A, E, and B, although other tunings are also used. |
| Playing technique | The gaohu is played with the fingers and is often held vertically on the lap. The player uses a variety of techniques, including plucking, strumming, and picking, to create a wide range of timbres and dynamics. The player can also use vibrato, glissando, and other techniques to add expression to the music. |
The gaohu is a Chinese bowed string instrument developed from the erhu in the 1920s by the musician and composer Lü Wencheng (1898–1981) and used in Cantonese music and Cantonese opera. It belongs to the huqin family of instruments, together with the zhonghu, erhu, banhu, jinghu, and sihu; its name means “high-pitched huqin”.
It is the leading instrument of Cantonese music and opera ensembles. Well known pieces for the gaohu include Bu Bu Gao (步步高, Higher Step By Step) and Ping Hu Qiu Yue (平湖秋月, Autumn Moon on Calm Lake).
11. Banhu 板胡 (bǎn hú)
| Number of strings | 2 |
| Range | 2 to 3 octaves |
| Tuning | The banhu is usually tuned to a pentatonic scale, with the strings tuned to G, D, A, E, and B, although other tunings are also used. |
| Playing technique | The banhu is played with the fingers and is often held vertically on the lap. The player uses a variety of techniques, including plucking, strumming, and picking, to create a wide range of timbres and dynamics. The player can also use vibrato, glissando, and other techniques to add expression to the music. |
The Banhu is a Chinese bowed string instrument in the huqin family, used primarily in northern China. It is similar to the more familiar Erhu and Gaohu in that it has two strings, is held vertically, and the bow hair passes in between the two strings.
The Banhu, however, is constructed differently in that its soundbox is made from a coconut shell rather than wood, and it uses a thin wooden board rather than a snakeskin to cover its faces. The name Banhu comes from the Chinese words “ban,” meaning a piece of wood, and “hu,” which is short for huqin.
12. Huqin 胡琴 (hú qín)
| Number of strings | 2 to 4 |
| Range | 2 to 3 octaves |
| Tuning | The huqin is usually tuned to a pentatonic scale, with the strings tuned to G, D, A, E, and B, although other tunings are also used. |
| Playing technique | The huqin is played with the fingers and is often held vertically on the lap. The player uses a variety of techniques, including plucking, strumming, and picking, to create a wide range of timbres and dynamics. The player can also use vibrato, glissando, and other techniques to add expression to the music. |
Huqin is a family of bowed string instruments, also known as spike fiddles, commonly used in Chinese music. These instruments have a round, hexagonal, or octagonal soundbox at the bottom with a neck attached that extends upwards. They typically have two strings and their soundboxes are covered with either snake skin (usually python) or thin wood.
Huqin instruments have two tuning pegs, one for each string, which are attached horizontally through holes drilled in the instrument’s neck. Most huqin have the bow hair pass in between the strings. There are variations of huqin with three, four, or more strings, such as the Zhuihu (a three-stringed huqin), the Sihu (a huqin of Mongolian origin), and the Sanhu (a lesser-known three-stringed variation).
13. Jinghu 京胡 (jīng hú)
| Number of strings | 2 |
| Range | 2 to 3 octaves |
| Tuning | The jinghu is usually tuned to a pentatonic scale, with the strings tuned to G, D, A, E, and B, although other tunings are also used. |
| Playing technique | The jinghu is played with the fingers and is often held vertically on the lap. The player uses a variety of techniques, including plucking, strumming, and picking, to create a wide range of timbres and dynamics. The player can also use vibrato, glissando, and other techniques to add expression to the music. |
The Jinghu is a small, high-pitched Chinese bowed string instrument in the huqin family that is used primarily in Beijing opera. It has a tone similar to a violin, but is raspier in sound. As the smallest and highest pitched instrument in the huqin family, the Jinghu is known for its distinctive sound.
14. Kouxian 口弦 (kǒu xián)
Kouxian is a general Chinese term for any variety of jaw harp. The jaw harp is a plucked idiophone in which the lamella is mounted in a small frame, and the player’s open mouth serves as a resonance chamber.
Chinese jaw harps may comprise multiple idiophones that are lashed together at one end and spread in a fan formation. They may be made from bamboo or a metal alloy, such as brass. Modern kouxian with three or more idiophones might be tuned to the first few tones of the minor pentatonic scale.
15. Leiqin 雷琴 (léi qín)
The Leiqin, also known as the Leihu, is a Chinese bowed string instrument. It is played while seated in a chair, with the instrument’s body resting in the player’s lap and held in a vertical or near-vertical position. Unlike other instruments in the huqin family such as the erhu, the Leiqin is played by touching the strings against the fingerboard in the same technique as the sanxian.
16. Matouqin 马头琴 (mǎ tóu qín)
The Matouqin, also known as the Morinhuur or Horsehead Two-String Fiddle, is a traditional Mongolian instrument with a legend surrounding its creation. According to the legend, a lord killed a white horse with his bow and the horse’s owner, Suhe, was grief-stricken and missed his pet. One night, the dead horse appeared in Suhe’s dream and told him to make an instrument with its body so that it could “accompany him forever” and alleviate his loneliness.
The Matouqin was thus created using the horse’s bones for its neck, horsehair for its strings, horse skin for its wooden soundbox, and a horse head carved into its scroll. It has several other names in Mongolian and Chinese and is widely used in the Inner Mongolian region as well as in other Mongolian-populated areas such as northeast and northwest China and Xinjiang. It has a deep, mellow tone and is often used to accompany the singing of tales and folk songs, as well as for solo performances.
17. Nanyin 南音 (nán yīn)
Nanguan, also known as Nanyin, Nanyue, Xianguan, or Nanqu, is a style of Chinese classical music from the southern province of Fujian. It is also popular in Taiwan, particularly in Lukang, as well as among Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. Fujian is a mountainous coastal province with a rich history, and its music reflects a mix of cultural influences.
Nanguan music is typically slow, gentle, delicate, and melodic, and employs four basic scales. It is closely associated with male-only community amateur musical associations (quguan or “song-clubs”), which are typically linked to temples and seen as a polite accomplishment and a worthy social service, distinct from the world of professional entertainers.
18. Sihu 四胡 (sì hú)
The instrument’s name comes from the words sì (四, meaning “four” in Chinese, referring to the instrument’s number of strings) and hú (胡, short for huqin, the family of instruments of which the sihu is a member). Its soundbox and neck are made from hardwood and the playing end of the soundbox is covered with python, cow, or sheep skin.
19. Suona 唢呐 (suǒ nà)
The Suona, also known as the Dida, Laba, or Haidi, is a traditional Chinese musical instrument with a double-reed horn. It has a distinctively loud and high-pitched sound and is commonly used in Chinese traditional music ensembles, particularly those that perform outdoors.
The Suona originated in ancient Iran and was introduced to China around the 3rd century. It is an important instrument in the folk music of northern China, particularly in the provinces of Shandong and Henan It has long been used for festivals and military purposes. The Suona is still used today, played with other instruments such as the sheng, gongs, and drums on the occasions like weddings and funeral processions.
20. Xun 埙 (xūn)
The Xun is a globular, vessel flute from China. It is believed to be one of the oldest musical instruments in existence, with a history dating back approximately seven thousand years.
The Xun was originally made from materials like stone, baked clay, or bone, but is now commonly made from clay or ceramic, and sometimes bamboo. The Xun is the only surviving example of an “earth” instrument, which is classified as one of the “eight-tones” of traditional Chinese musical instruments based on the material it is made from (metal, stone, silk, bamboo, gourd, earth, hide, or wood).
21. Yueqin 乐琴 (yuè qín)
The Yueqin, also known as the Moon Lute or Moon Guitar, is a traditional Chinese string instrument. It is a lute with a round, hollow soundboard, a short fretted neck, and typically has four strings. The Yueqin is an important instrument in Peking opera orchestras, often serving as the main melodic instrument instead of the bowed string section.
It was invented in China during the Jin dynasty (3rd to 5th centuries AD) and is believed to be the ancestor of the Ruan, another Chinese instrument. The term “yueqin” was originally used to describe all instruments with a moon-shaped soundboard, including the Ruan, but now refers specifically to a separate category of instruments distinct from the Ruan family.
22. Zhong hu 中胡 (zhōng hú)
The Zhonghu, also known as the Zhongyin Erhu, is a Chinese bowed string instrument that belongs to the huqin family. It is similar in range to the European viola and was created in the 1940s to expand the pitch range of instruments used in Chinese orchestras. Along with the erhu and gaohu, it is considered a member of the huqin family.
23. Zhumu 竹木 (zhú mù)
The zhumu is a double-reed wind instrument that is similar to the oboe. It has a conical shape and is commonly used in Chinese traditional music. The zhumu is played by blowing into a mouthpiece and covering and uncovering finger holes along the length of the instrument to produce different pitches.
What are the 4 categories of Chinese instruments?
In traditional Chinese music, instruments are generally divided into four categories based on the way they produce sound:
- Strings: These instruments produce sound by vibrating strings that are plucked, bowed, or struck. Examples include the guqin, erhu, and pipa.
- Woodwinds: These instruments produce sound by blowing air into a tube or reed and altering the pitch by covering or uncovering holes along the length of the instrument. Examples include the dizi and xiao.
- Brass: These instruments produce sound by vibrating the lips as the player blows into a cup-shaped mouthpiece. Examples include the suona and laba.
- Percussion: These instruments produce sound by being struck, shaken, or scraped. Examples include the gong, drum, and cymbals.
These categories are not strict, and many instruments may belong to more than one category or straddle the boundary between categories. Additionally, there are many other types of instruments that are not traditionally classified in these categories, such as the yangqin (a hammered dulcimer) and the guzheng (a plucked string instrument with a zither-like soundboard).
What are 8 sounds in Chinese musical instruments?
In traditional Chinese music, instruments are often described in terms of the eight sounds (bā yīn 八音), which are:
- Sheng (笙): A reed pipe instrument with a sound that is described as “bright” and “penetrating.”
- Di (笛): A bamboo flute with a sound that is described as “gentle” and “mournful.”
- Zhu (竹): A bamboo instrument with a sound that is described as “cool” and “clean.”
- Yue (乐): A metal instrument with a sound that is described as “loud” and “resonant.”
- Jing (精): A metal instrument with a sound that is described as “sharp” and “brisk.”
- Kui (魁): A stone or ceramic instrument with a sound that is described as “crackling” and “explosive.”
- Kua (跨): A leather instrument with a sound that is described as “soft” and “muffled.”
- Hong (轰): A drum with a sound that is described as “booming” and “powerful.”
Just to be clear, these terms are not strict categories, and different instruments may produce sounds that are associated with multiple categories. Additionally, these eight sounds are just one way to describe the characteristics of traditional Chinese instruments, and other ways of categorizing and describing the sounds of these instruments may also be used.
In sum
Overall, the world has a great appreciation for traditional Chinese instruments and the music they are used to create. These instruments are an important part of China’s cultural heritage and are valued for their unique sounds and cultural significance.
These are just a few examples of the many traditional Chinese instruments that are used in Chinese music. Each instrument has its own unique characteristics and is used in different types of music.
Some instruments, such as the erhu and the pipa, are well-known and widely used in Chinese music, while others may be less familiar to people outside of China. Chinese traditional music has a rich and diverse history, and these instruments play an important role in preserving and celebrating that cultural heritage.
FAQ: About traditional Chinese instruments
It is difficult to identify a single “most traditional” Chinese instrument, as China has a rich and diverse musical culture with a long history. However, some instruments are considered particularly important and significant in Chinese music and are often associated with traditional Chinese culture. These include:
– Guqin: The guqin is a plucked string instrument with a long history dating back to ancient China. It is considered one of the oldest and most revered instruments in Chinese culture and has a distinctive, delicate sound.
– Erhu: The erhu is a two-stringed fiddle played with a bow. It is a popular instrument in traditional Chinese music and is often used in solo and ensemble performances.
– Dizi: The dizi is a bamboo transverse flute with a distinctive, high-pitched sound. It is an important instrument in traditional Chinese music and is often used in instrumental ensembles.
– Pipa: The pipa is a plucked string instrument with a pear-shaped body and a long neck. It is popular in traditional Chinese music and has a distinctive, bright sound.
– Yangqin: The yangqin is a hammered dulcimer with a flat soundboard and a range of metallic strings that are struck with small hammers. It is an important instrument in traditional Chinese music and is often used in instrumental ensembles.
These are just a few examples of traditional Chinese instruments, and there are many others as well. Chinese music encompasses a wide variety of instruments and styles, and each has its own unique characteristics and cultural significance.
Texture in music refers to the way musical elements such as melody, harmony, and rhythm combine to create a musical whole. In traditional Chinese instrumental music, the texture can vary widely depending on the specific piece, the instruments being used, and the musical style. Some common textures found in traditional Chinese instrumental music include:
– Monophonic: This is a texture in which a single melody is played by one instrument or a group of instruments playing in unison. This is a common texture in traditional Chinese music, particularly in solo instrumental pieces.
– Polyphonic: This is a texture in which multiple independent melodies are played simultaneously. This texture is less common in traditional Chinese music, but it can be found in some ensemble pieces where multiple instruments are used.
– Homophonic: This is a texture in which a single melody is accompanied by chords or a harmonic accompaniment. This texture is common in traditional Chinese music, particularly in ensemble pieces where a melody instrument is accompanied by a chordal instrument such as the zhongruan or the yangqin.
– Heterophonic: This is a texture in which multiple instruments play the same melody with slight variations, creating a texture that is both unified and varied. This texture is common in traditional Chinese music, particularly in ensemble pieces where multiple instruments are used.
Traditional Chinese music is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of musical styles and traditions that have developed in China over the course of its long history. Some of the key features of traditional Chinese music include:
– Use of a wide range of instruments: Traditional Chinese music makes use of a diverse array of instruments, including stringed instruments, wind instruments, percussion instruments, and more. These instruments are often classified into four categories based on the way they produce sound: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
– Importance of melody and rhythm: Traditional Chinese music places a strong emphasis on melody and rhythm. Melodies are often characterized by their use of specific scales and modes, and rhythms are often complex and varied.
Use of traditional musical forms: Traditional Chinese music often follows specific musical forms and structures, such as the use of variation form, ABA form, and rondo form.
– Influence of poetry and literature: Traditional Chinese music is often closely connected to poetry and literature, and many musical pieces are based on or inspired by written texts.
– Cultural and regional diversity: Traditional Chinese music is diverse and reflects the cultural and regional differences within China. Different regions and ethnic groups within China have their own distinct musical styles and traditions.
