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Erhu

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

A musician playing the erhu, a traditional Chinese string instrument, during a performance in Singapore between 1969 and 1971.

The erhu is a special musical instrument from China. It has two strings and is played with a bow, like a small violin. People also call it a spike fiddle or the Chinese violin.

The erhu belongs to a family of instruments called huqin, which have been played in China for a very long time. It first appeared during the Tang dynasty, many years ago. The erhu’s name means “two strings,” showing one of its most important features.

People love to play the erhu because it can sound soft and gentle or loud and exciting. It is used in many kinds of music, from old Chinese songs to modern pop and jazz. Famous musicians have written beautiful pieces for the erhu, and it has even appeared in big shows and video games around the world.

Playing the erhu is interesting. The player holds the instrument upright and uses fingertips to press the strings while moving the bow between them. With practice, the erhu can make many lovely sounds that people enjoy listening to.

Images

A blind street musician playing the Erhu in Beijing, China, around the year 1930.
A close-up of an Erhu bow, used to play the traditional Chinese string instrument.
A musician plays the Erhu, a traditional Chinese violin, during a folkloric orchestra concert at the University of Valencia.
Close-up of an Erhu bow showing the hair positioned between the strings.
A traditional Chinese erhu, a two-stringed musical instrument often used in folk and classical music.
A close-up of a traditional Chinese erhu, a two-stringed musical instrument, showcasing its design and craftsmanship.

Related articles

China
Huqin
Tang dynasty
Jazz

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Erhu, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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