What is a gaohu erhu and Zhonghu?

The erhu is played both as a solo instrument and in an orchestral setting. A higher-pitched version with a smaller resonator surface and shorter post is the gaohu, or nanhu. A larger, lower-pitched version of the erhu is called zhonghu. All three sizes are valuable members of the orchestra.

Is erhu easier than violin?

The soundbox of an erhu is much smaller than a violin so it takes a lot more effort to get the same level of loudness.

What is classification of erhu?

The erhu (Chinese: 二胡; pinyin: èrhú; [aɻ˥˩xu˧˥]), is a two-stringed bowed musical instrument, more specifically a spike fiddle, which may also be called a Southern Fiddle, and is sometimes known in the Western world as the Chinese violin or a Chinese two-stringed fiddle.

What Chinese instrument has a long neck and round body?

The ruan is a four-stringed Chinese plucked musical instrument with a circular body and a fretted neck with 24 frets.

How is the sound of erhu?

It sounds almost like a violin — but not quite. The erhu is a traditional Chinese instrument. Ma Xiaohui says that in China, people associate it with beggars. But Ma is a virtuoso performer on the erhu, fluent in both regional Chinese and Western repertoire.

How do you get erhu?

The erhu should have a bow between the two strings….Your fingers should be hanging downwards parallel to the strings.

1. Make sure you don’t grip the erhu tightly.
2. Hold your erhu at around a 45 degree angle to you.
3. Make sure your palm isn’t touching the neck of the instrument.

How much does a good erhu cost?

A good price is around 200–400USD, but honestly, a good number of the better instruments I’ve played can cost less than that. Price is not a good gauge when determining the quality of the instrument, at least for the erhu.

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.

What does the Chinese erhu sound like?

The Sonorous Strings of the Erhu It sounds almost like a violin, but not quite. The erhu is a traditional Chinese two-string instrument, played with a bow.

What Chinese instrument has a fretless characteristic?

The sanxian (or xianzi), having been passed down for generations, is one of China’s most traditional plucked-string instruments. Aptly named, the instrument has three strings. Due to its fretless long neck, the sanxian is capable of expressive glissando.

Is a guitar like musical instrument in China with four strings?

The pipa is a traditional Chinese musical instrument with four strings. The instrument has a pear-shaped wooden body with frets like those on a guitar. The pipa has been played for more than 2,000 years in China. There are many ancient stories and poems about this instrument.

What is the difference between erhu and Nanhu?

The erhu known today was the version popular in southern China and used to be called nanhu (nan=south). Only in the last century, it started to be called erhu. The erhu is played while held on the lap. Its two strings are tuned to a fifth, with the bow placed between them. The erhu has no fingerboard.

How many strings does an erhu string have?

Take note that the strings are not crossed if not you will definitely get a horrible cackling sound. There is a roll of string that holds the 2 erhu strings together called the Qianjin. Many first timers mistaken it as a ribbon and cuts it with glee when they receive it.

What is a simple basic erhu setup?

The inner string is tuned to D and the outer string is tuned to A. Twist the pegs inwards when you tune if not the pegs will slip out. So there you have it. A simple basic erhu setup should you buy an erhu from a place that does not setup the erhu properly.

What is an erhu made of?

The erhu is usually made of ebony, sandalwood or rosewood, with a snakeskin resonator. In recent years, synthetic skin has been developed. But most players still prefer the sound of the snakeskin. The folk versions vary in the shapes and materials of the sound boxes.