The Chinese Fiddle

An instrument that is native to China in both the look and its sound is the Erhu or the Chinese fiddle.

Erhu, meaning two whiskers, is a wooden instrument that includes a resonator box covered with python skin, and its two strings are played vertically using a bow made of horse hair.

The sound of this unique instrument can usually be heard when you go for a stroll in a large public park. At times, Chinese men will sing opera to the sound of the Chinese fiddle, in which case the instrument used will be the Jinghu, which is basically the same as an Erhu but with a slightly higher pitch.

Perhaps you will find the expressive sound of the Chinese fiddle a bit hard to swallow. Nevertheless, it plays a special part in making the Chinese culture both rich and memorable.

Author: Alan_J