Erhu

• A fiddle of two strings, the erhu began as an essential part of the traditional Chinese opera. Predated by various plucked instruments, it finally appeared in its current form during the Yuan dynasty of the late 13th to mid 14th centuries. Other versions of the erhu evolved in the subsequent Ming and Qing dynasties.
  
  Constructed mainly of wood, the erhu has a 78-cm shaft connecting the body at the bottom to the tuning pegs at the top. The body resembles a small drum turned on its side, the front stretched with snakeskin and the rear enclosed in bone or wood. A carved dragon's head or half moon tops the instrument's head. A bridge holds the two silk or steel strings in place. Raised to an upright position with the left hand, the right hand slides a bow of reed and horsehair or nylon between the strings to create sounds.
  
  

Guqin

• A member of the zither family of instruments, the guqin closely attended gentlemen and scholars of ancient China. Chinese mythology attributed the guqin's invention to notable characters such as the "Yellow Emperor," Huang Di. Although some versions contain as little as five or as many as 10 strings, the modern style has featured seven strings for close to 2,000 years. The performer plucks the seven strings of the guqin, creating sounds that span a range of four octaves.
  
  

Konghou

• Three versions of this harp-like instrument existed in Chinese history: one lay flat, another stood upright and the last sported a phoenix head. Performers pluck the strings of the konghou in a similar fashion to the Western harp. The konghou was an instrument used initially in the royal courts, but has made its way to the common people.
  
  

Pipa

• This short-necked lute has a body shaped like a teardrop. The pipa, a solo instrument, originated in the operas and storytelling scenes. The bent neck of the instrument contains 30 frets--raised pieces similar to bridges--and spans 3.5 octaves. The pipa stays upright, and the player plucks its four strings, sometimes adding rolls or slaps to create accompanying sound effects during dramatic reenactments. Chinese literature during the Han dynasty of 206 B.C. to 220 A.D. commonly depicted the playing of pipas.
  
  

Ruan

• The ruan, an instrument akin to the lute, often joins ensembles, but is also idyllic as a solo instrument because of the melodious tone quality. Performers stand the lute upright and pluck its four strings. The third-century Chinese musician, Ruan Xian, recorded his performances with the instrument in pictures, lending his name to and establishing prominence for this version of the moon guitar.
  
  

Sanxian

• A hybrid of a lute and a banjo, the sanxian resembles the erhu in appearance, but not function. Red sandalwood or padauk provides wood for the body and shaft of the instrument while snakeskin encloses the body. The strings are made of steel. Players pluck the three strings, creating a sound similar to humming or singing, depending on the pitch of the string played.
  
  

Yangqin

• The yangqin, a dulcimer played with mallets, originated in the southeastern region of China known as Guangdong during the 16th century Ming dynasty. The dulcimer--a horizontal, trapezoidal board arranged with strings--provides a range of over four octaves. The modern version consists of three bridges crossed by numerous strings. The player taps the strings with the mallets, modulating the tones with grooves and a damper hidden underneath the board. The solo instrument often accompanies operatic and narrative performances.