Chinese Instruments Qin Qin is a sevenstrings zither

Chinese Instruments

Qin • Qin is a seven-strings zither • Qin was established by the time of the Tang dynasty(618 -907). • Qin has three categories of pitch: – 1. Harmonic – 2. Open-strings notes – 3. Pressed notes • Qin’s function at ancient time. – 1. Enjoyment. – 2. Associated tool. • The Qin in the modern time • The famous Qin pieces: 1 Meihuasannong (Plum Blossoms in Three Variations) 2 Guanshanyue (Moon over the Mountain Pass)

Pipa • A four-string, pear-shaped plucket lute • Pipa’s history: originally imported from Central Asia in Han Dynasty • Pipa: was originally used to as a generic term to name all kinds of plucketed lute * The Bent-neck pipa * The Straight-necked lute • Performance methods and skills • Famous pieces * Great ambuscade * Moonlight over the Spring River

Sanxian • A three-string plucket lute: oval body, long unfretted neck • Where can you see sanxian: primarily in narrative music as the major accompanying instrument, as in traditional operas • Types of sanxian: * Larger model * Smaller model • History: first mentioned in China during the Yuan dynasty (early fourteenth century)

Zheng • A bridged long zither * Size: approximately 3 feet * Number of strings: varying, but 16 -stringed zheng has been the most popular one in recent 200 years • History: dated back to Zhou and Han dynasties (sixth century B. C. ) • Modern time: most popular of common-practice instrument in China • Features: * Tuned to pentatonic scale * Applying pressure for vibration and pushing to obtain non-pentatonic pitches • Famous pieces: * Creek in High Mountains * Song of the Fishermen’s Light