Is the yangqin a national or Western musical instrument?

The yangqin was introduced to China from Persia and is a Western musical instrument.

The yangqin, also known as the yangqin, playing qin, copper wire qin, fan qin, bat qin, butterfly qin, percussive stringed instrument. The yangqin is an essential instrument in the Chinese national band.

The yangqin is a stringed instrument commonly used in China, the same family as the piano, the sound has distinctive characteristics, the volume is grand, strong and soft; when played slowly, the sound is like a tinkling spring, when played quickly, the sound is like a gurgling water.

The tone is bright and clear, like a big pearl falling from a jade plate. It is extremely expressive, and can be played solo, in ensemble, or accompanied by zither, rap and opera, and often plays the role of "piano accompaniment" in folk instrumental ensembles and ethnic bands, making it an indispensable main instrument.

Expanded Information

Origin of the yangqin: According to historical records, before the Middle Ages, in the Middle East, Assyria, Persia and other countries, there was a popular santur. It has a trapezoidal or rectangular case, with dozens of steel strings on the panel, and a bar horse at 2/3 of the strings, so that each string emits two tones in a five degree relationship. This kind of santur is still in circulation in Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Central Asia and India.

The end of the Ming Dynasty, with the increasingly close friendly exchanges between China and West Asia. The yangqin was introduced into China by sea from Persia, and was initially popular only in the area of Guangdong, and then gradually expanded to Fujian, Zhejiang, Jianghuai and the Central Plains, joining the ranks of the accompaniment for rap music and local operas.

The yangqin is used as the main accompanying instrument in many places, such as Shandong qinshu, Xuzhou qinshu, Anhui qinshu, Guangxi wenchang, Guizhou wenqin, Sichuan yangqin and Yunnan yangqin, etc. In Cantonese opera, Chiu Chow opera and Chinese opera, the yangqin is used as the main accompanying instrument in many places. The yangqin is also used as an accompanying instrument in the music of local operas such as Cantonese opera, Chaozhou opera, Han opera, Min opera, Yue opera and Shanghai opera.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Yangqin