Is erhu a Chinese string instrument?

Is erhu a Chinese string instrument?

erhu, Wade-Giles romanization erh-hu, bowed, two-stringed Chinese vertical fiddle, the most popular of this class of instruments. The strings of the erhu, commonly tuned a fifth apart, are stretched over a wooden drumlike resonator covered by a snakeskin membrane. Like the banhu, the erhu has no fingerboard.

Is the erhu still played today?

Today, the number of erhu lovers keeps increasing, both in China and overseas. There are many erhu musical studios and classes in Japan and Singapore. In America, some Chinese American musicians also use erhu to play jazz music.

What year was the erhu made?

Originated in Central Asia and introduced to China more than one thousand years ago, the erhu 二胡 belongs to the large family of stick fiddles that are found in many countries. Xiqin 奚琴 was the first bowed instrument mentioned in Chinese literature in Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.).

Why is erhu so important?

The erhu is one of the most important Chinese instruments, with a history of over 4,000 years. Though it has only two strings, it can convey a wide range of emotions. While the erhu has been called the “Chinese violin,” it differs from the western instrument in many ways.

How loud is an erhu?

Compared with the stringed instruments (The forte sound power level of Erhu is 90dB [7] . For Pipa, the value is 85.7dB [8] ), wind instrument Sheng has a higher sound power level.

How do you play the erhu?

Get into playing position. Your fingers should be hanging downwards parallel to the strings. Make sure you don’t grip the erhu tightly. Hold your erhu at around a 45 degree angle to you. Make sure your palm isn’t touching the neck of the instrument.

How many strings does an erhu have?

two strings
The erhu is one of the most important Chinese instruments, with a history of over 4,000 years. Though it has only two strings, it can convey a wide range of emotions. While the erhu has been called the “Chinese violin,” it differs from the western instrument in many ways.

Is erhu a violin?

While the erhu has been called the “Chinese violin,” it differs from the western instrument in many ways. First, it is played vertically, often resting on the musician’s lap. It has no fingerboard, so the player’s fingers must hold and vibrate the strings by pressing only against the strings themselves.

How much should an erhu cost?

First things first, how much does an erhu cost anyway? The cheapest Erhu out there in the market can be as low as US$50 and an Indian small leaf sandalwood made by a reputable maker can cost more than US$10,000.