What kinds of erhu are there?

Gehu is a bass stringed instrument with a large volume and a wide range. In 1950s, it created and absorbed the characteristics of other stringed instruments on the basis of erhu, so it was called Gehu. After continuous improvement, it has now become an expressive instrument.

Made of mahogany and rosewood, with a total length of 170cm. The head of the piano is engraved with a faucet, and the piano rod is inserted into one side of the piano barrel, and the surface of the piano rod is provided with an arc fingerboard. The piano barrel is round, with a length of 37 and an outer diameter of 38 cm at the front end. Embroidered with python skin, horse skin or sheepskin. There is a sound window in the back. The surface tension of leather is adjustable. Set four axes and pull four strings. Play with a cello bow.

The leather membrane does not directly bear the tension of strings, and the center of the inner side of the leather surface is provided with a hexagonal sound column to transmit sound. The piano code is flat shovel-shaped, and the foot of the code is connected with the top of the sound column, thus expanding the vibration range of the leather membrane. The timbre is round and powerful. Tune c, g, d, a, and the range is four octaves.

2. Gao Hu

Gaohu, short for "High-pitched Erhu", was reformed on the basis of Erhu. The appearance of Gao Hu is closely related to China's folk music-Cantonese Opera.

Gaohu's timbre is crisp and sonorous, like a soprano. This feature, coupled with the rounded bass area, makes it occupy a very prominent position in the band.

Therefore, China's national orchestra usually gives Gao Hu a very important seat. In addition, because Gao Hu's expressive force is particularly rich, he is suitable for playing lyrical, lively and gorgeous melodies. Therefore, it often accompanies the main melody of music in colorful ways in the band, and can modify the main melody according to emotional needs.

3. Jinghu Lake

Jinghu, formerly known as Huqin. In the long years, with the formation of Beijing Opera, Hu Qin has been improved and become the main accompaniment instrument of Beijing Opera music.

The shape of Peking Opera is basically similar to that of Erhu, but the overall shape is small, the timbre is tolerant and high, and the sound penetration is strong. Jinghu is mostly used to accompany the human voice, which has a strong flavor of embellishing the human voice, which is very compatible with the human voice and strongly supports and supplements the human voice in rhythm and strength.

Jinghu Erhu is a stringed instrument which is bigger than Jinghu and smaller than Erhu in order to blend the timbre of Jinghu. The timbre is also between Jinghu and Erhu, wooden and covered with snake skin. Generally, it is also used to accompany Beijing opera, and rarely solo.

4. Middle Lake

Zhonghu, short for alto erhu. It was reformed on the basis of erhu in 1950, and its structure is the same as erhu. The stem is longer and the bucket is bigger. Being an alto instrument in a national band makes the band's voice full and rich. Solo has Prairie, and concerto has Su Wu.

5. Banhu

Banhu was produced on the basis of Huqin with the appearance of local opera Bangzi. Its name is because the piano barrel is made of thin wooden boards. Also known as Banghu, Qinhu, Tribal Tiger, Tribal Tiger, Hu Da, Daxian and Piao.

Banhu has a history of about 300 years in China, with a wide variety, bright timbre and high pitch. It is the main accompaniment instrument of all kinds of Bangzi Opera, Beiju Opera and Quyi in China.