Chinese Instruments

Qin Qin is a seven-strings zither Qin was established by the time of the Tang dynasty( ). 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: 1Meihuasannong (Plum Blossoms in Three Variations) 2Guanshanyue (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 -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