The Main Chinese Music InstrumentChinese musical instruments are divided into four categories based on the method by which they are played: bowed, plucked, blown, and struck (the percussion instruments). All these instruments play together features the harmony and distinctive sounds of the traditional Chinese music.

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  Erhu

  (Chinese violin) is a bowed two-string fiddle tuned a fifth apart. It may be the oldest bowed fiddle whose history begins before 1000A. D. This major instrument in Chinese orchestra plays the same role as the violin in Western orchestra. Gaohu is developed from erhu in 1920s and usually plays for a higher pitch.

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  Pipa

  A four-string lute, one of the oldest Chinese musical instruments which appeared in Chinese written texts of the second century BC. The Chinese characters pi and pa stands originally for the two finger playing techniques, ie plucking at the string forwards and backwards, respectively.

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  Yangqin

  (Chinese Hammered dulcimer) was brought to China from the Middle East and it is played with two bamboo strikers.

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  Ruan

  A round-shaped plucked-string instrument which has various sizes.

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  Guzheng

  (Chinese Zither) is a logn-bridged instrument with 16 or 21 strings which has the lilting and evocative sound.

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  Dizi

  (Bamboo Flute) has 6 open holes and a lovely bright sound. One extra hole is covered with a buzzing membrane.