What are the traditional Chinese musical instruments?

Chinese traditional musical instruments include guqin, erhu, pipa, flute, suona, dulcimer, gongs and drums, Ma Touqin and so on.

Guqin: Guqin is one of the oldest plucked instruments in China with a long history. It has seven strings and is usually played with nails. It is considered as one of the representative musical instruments in China.

Erhu: Erhu is a stringed instrument with two strings, which is one of the common instruments in China folk music. It is usually played with a bow and makes a pleasant sound.

3. Pipa: Pipa is a stringed instrument with four to seven strings. Melodious timbre, often used for accompaniment and solo.

4. Flutes: There are many kinds of traditional flutes in China, such as bamboo flutes and willow flutes. They are wind instruments with crisp and pleasant timbre, and are often used to accompany national music and China traditional operas.

5. Suona: Suona is a double-reed instrument with unique timbre. It is widely used in the music of ethnic minorities in China, such as Tibetans and Uighurs.

6. dulcimer: dulcimer is a kind of plucked instrument, which generally has thirteen to sixteen strings. Commonly used in China traditional opera accompaniment and folk music performances.

7. gongs and drums: gongs and drums are traditional percussion instruments in China, with various types, including big gongs, small gongs, big drums and small drums. They are often used for celebrations, performances and festivals.

Ma Touqin: Ma Touqin is a traditional musical instrument in Mongolian music. It is shaped like a horse's head and usually has four strings. It is one of the representative musical instruments of Mongolian grassland.

The Origin of Traditional Musical Instruments Guqin and Erhu

Origin of Guqin: Guqin is considered as one of the oldest plucked instruments in China, and its origin can be traced back to the 7th century BC. The earliest guqin was made of tortoise shells and animal skins, and later evolved into wood and bamboo as the main materials. The form and playing skills of guqin have been developing and evolving in the history of China, including the change of the number of strings and the improvement of playing methods.

Origin of Erhu: Erhu originated relatively late and can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty (14th century to17th century) or the Qing Dynasty (17th century to the early 20th century). It has different legends and sayings, but a common view is that Erhu may have originated in the Western Regions, now Xinjiang, and then spread to Chinese mainland.