Scribd
Upload
187 views2 pages

Overview of Traditional Chinese Instruments

The document summarizes several traditional Chinese instruments: The pipa originated in western or southern Asia and was popular during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), often depicted in paintings. The dizi is a bamboo flute with 6 or more finger holes and one covered with paper, producing a buzzing sound. It has a range of over two octaves and is used in theatrical performances. The dulcimer was introduced to China from Persia in the late Ming Dynasty and plays a role like the piano, struck with small bamboo hammers called jean bamboos. The guqin is one of China's oldest plucked instruments, appearing as early as the Yao and

Uploaded by

Ruel Villanueva
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
187 views2 pages

Overview of Traditional Chinese Instruments

The document summarizes several traditional Chinese instruments: The pipa originated in western or southern Asia and was popular during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), often depicted in paintings. The dizi is a bamboo flute with 6 or more finger holes and one covered with paper, producing a buzzing sound. It has a range of over two octaves and is used in theatrical performances. The dulcimer was introduced to China from Persia in the late Ming Dynasty and plays a role like the piano, struck with small bamboo hammers called jean bamboos. The guqin is one of China's oldest plucked instruments, appearing as early as the Yao and

Uploaded by

Ruel Villanueva
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Chinese Instruments

Pipa 琵琶 The pipa became popular as Silk Road trade and travel
brought Buddhism, and great change, to the region. It
is thought that the instrument originated somewhere in
western or southern Asia. The instrument was popular
in Chengdu, the capital of the Tang Empire (618–907).
Paintings and artwork of the Tang era depict the pipa
being played bymusicians in flowing robes.

Dizi 笛子 Dizis are generally made of bamboo, and they


generally have six or more finger holes. One hole is
covered with paper so that the flute has a peculiar
buzzing sound that people like.

Modern dizis may have a range of about two and a half


octaves. Since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it has
been used for theatrical performance. You may see
these being played in the cities and countryside for fun.

Dulcimer 扬琴 Dulcimer, a kind of strike-stringed instrument, was


firstly introduced to China by Persian (an ancient
Arabic country) at the end of Ming Dynasty. In the
performance, it plays a role like the piano. Two jean
bamboos (a kind of elastic small bamboo hammer) are
used to stri
ke the strings.
Guqin 古琴 Also called heptachord, Guqin is one of the oldest
plucked instruments in China, which appeared not late
than Yao and Shun period. Players pluck the string by
right hand and press by left hand.

Huqin 胡琴 Huqin is a kind of Mongolian arco instrument. Due to


its gentle and resonant sound that is full of prairie
flavor, Huqin is a good choice for solo, accompaniment
and instrumental ensemble. Now Huqin is very popular
in Inner Mongolia.

You might also like