Chinese Traditional Musical Instrument Guzheng
The guzheng is one of the oldest Chinese plucked string instruments, and became popular in the State of Qin (today's Shaanxi) as early as the Spring and Autumn period.During the Tang and Song dynasties, it had 13 strings,and later increased to 16,18,21, and 25 strings. Presently, the most commonly used one has 21 strings.
The sound quality depends on the quality of the panel and strings, and other rim materials can slightly improve the timbre. The best materials for the guzheng are old mahogany, red sandalwood, and golden-thread nanmu. The left hand is used to control the strings and the right hand for playing the strings. There are many finger methods including halding,strumming,picking,wiping,and shaking.The lefthand performs such movements as pressing,sliding,kneading,and trembling,and playing with sliding fingers is a kind of feature performance of the gu zheng. It is often used for solos and ensembles,instrumental ensembles，accompaniment for singing and dancing,operas,and folkart forms. With abroad tone range and beautiful timbre,it is known as the"King of Instruments,"and“Oriental Piano."Well-known gu zheng compositions include Song of the Homebound Fishermen and Lotus on Water.
Plucked string instruments with the pipa as the representative also include the liu gin,yu eq in,ruan,and san xian. When it is played,the lefthand controls the strings,and the righthand plays it. The pipa is an exotic musical instrument,and it was introduced to the Central Plains from India via Oi uzi (today'sku qa in Xinjiang) during the Southern and Northern dynasties (420-589) . It is wooden with a half pear-shaped sound box. It is held vertically in the arms of the performer. It has abroad range of sounds,with a clear and beautiful timbre. It can be used for playing impassioned performances of military music and lyrical cultural music. The with the guqin in history. Since the late Qing Dynasty,it has become an indispensable element of traditional Chinese musical instruments. In addition to solo and orchestra performances,the pipa is widely used in opera,folkart,singing and soon. Well-Ambush on Ten Sides.
