Top 10 Most Popular Music Instruments in China

Are you keen to know about Chinese culture and music? Let’s explore the top 10 ancient music instruments from this country that put a global influence among listeners.

Music is omnipotent all around the world and it has taken many shapes through the diversity of cultures. China is considered to be one of the most ancient cultural races that have cultivated music in their own traditional instruments. There are more than 70 types of traditional Chinese music instruments that belong in China from ancient times and they have gained much attention in the global music communities. These instruments share a history that is more than 3000 years old and knowing instruments can offer a better idea of the Chinese music culture. Let’s find some of the most popular Chinese instruments.

Top 10 Most Popular Chinese Instruments

• Guzheng古箏 — a Zither

This Chinese Zither is known as guzheng and has belonged to the country for more than 2,500 years and is considered to be a significant part of history. Starting from medieval times, the instrument has gone through a fair amount of changes. However, its traditional structure and usage of strings remain the same. A modern guzheng can consist of 21 to 26 strings and it is around 1.63 meters in length. The instrument is dominated by female music artists. They usually pay the instrument by sitting on a chair and the payers always use the finger picks to create that harmony through the tunes. The heptatonic chords and notes are played by pinching the string together which creates a rich sound. 'High Mountain and Running Water' is one of the most popular tracks played with a guzheng.

• Erhu二胡 — the Violin

Erhu is very unique Chinese violin that consists of only two strings yet it can offer a very creative sound. It is played just like a violin with a bow but the instrument is rested on the lap instead of on the shoulder. This instrument is widely used in the Chinese orchestra and traditional music performances. The instrument is based on its traditional tuning system which sounds quite different from regular Western world music. The instrument covers three octaves and offers a high degree of virtuosity which makes it dynamic nature. It does not only help in Chinese singing but also helps to imitate the sounds made by birds and horses. The melancholic flavor produced through its tune feels captivating and engaging. One of the famous tracks played in erhu would be 'Two Springs Reflect the Moon' which was composed by Chinese folk music artist Ah Bing.

• Dizi 笛子 — a Transverse Flute

The dizi, also known as hengdi is a transverse flute that is used in ancient Chinese compositions. Whether it is folk or the opera, dizi is used in various musical works. This flute is mainly made of bamboo and consists of six finger holes but the number of holes can increase based on the requirements of the player. One of the holes in this flute is covered by paper in order to create a buzzing sound that is highly preferred by the listeners. While bamboo is the most preferred ingredient in this case, dizis can be also made of wood, stone, jade, and even plastic to create different tunes. It is lightweight and easy to carry which makes it highly popular among the students and the farmers. There are different kinds of dizis based on their length and tune such as qudi and bangda. One of the most famous pieces played in Dizi would be 'Moon on Guan Mountain' (关山月).

Also Read: Find Out Some of the Forgotten Musical Instruments

• Pipa 琵琶 — the Lute or Guitar

Pipa is the traditional form of guitar or lute that is highly popular in China. It consists of four strings and comes with a big pear-shaped body which is made from wood. There are also frets on the body like guitar and the number of them can range around 12 to 26. Though this instrument belongs to the ancient times, modern Pipas are much evolved and re-engineered to create Western-like music. Steel strings are used in the modern pipas which music artists play by wearing special finger plectra. This instrument has been belonging to Chinese history for more than 2000 years and there are some remarkable Chinese fables revolving around this instrument.

It is said that Wang Zhaojun once played this instrument while she was feeling homesick and the melancholic tune of the track made the flying geese forget to flap their wings. That is how the legend received the title of 'falling geese' or 'dropping birds' who was initially sent to keep peace in two nations. The melody she played is known as Zhaojun's Lament which is still famous in Chinese opera.

• Guqin 古琴 — a Seven-String Instrument

This is one of the most ancient pluck instruments in China that is best known for its refinement and subtleness. The guqin is preferred by most scholars and musicians for its amazing tonal quality. The instrument is also known as qixianqin or 'seven-stringed zither' has is attached to a long and narrow wooden soundbox. It is said that Confucius used to play this instrument while teaching his pupils. This instrument is also known as the 'instrument of the sages' or the 'father of Chinese music' as it represents the traditional Chinese music culture.

Some of the famous melodies played by this instrument are ‘Liu Shui’ ('Flowing Water') and ‘Gao Shan’ ('High Mountains'). These melodies are authentically composed by a popular Chinese musician who was known as Bo Ya. He has a close friend named Zhong Ziqi who died and Bo Ya decided to break his guqin in grief. That is why the melodies are used to express friendship as zhiyin translate to a close friend.

• Hulusi 葫芦丝 — the Cucurbit Flute

Hulusi is quite an engaging piece that is a free-reed wind instrument famous among the ethnic minorities in Yunnan (and South China). A Hulusi is made of three bamboo pipes which are attached with a gourd at the end of the mouthpiece. The wind chest helps to create a beautiful sound with a resonance that can enrich any soundscape. There are finger holes in the central pipe and the other two sides are used as drone pipes to create that beautiful tune. The sound produced by the instrument is quite simple, gentle, and calming. The instrument is also easy to learn and comes with a captivating appearance. It is mainly learned and practiced by the kids in mid-school and primary school as it is quite easy to use for everyone, even for children. The 'Phoenix Tail Bamboo under Moonlight' is one of the famous tracks played by Hulusi.

• Suona 唢呐 — the Trumpet

The suona also known as the Chinese trumpet in Western countries is actually a horn or a laba. The instrument is mainly made of wood and there is a copper or brass end at the mouthpiece. The bocal is fixated on the small double reed and the metal bell-shaped mouth helps to create that rich sound. Suona is considered to be one of the most important instruments in Chinese traditions that are mainly used for the procession of wedding or funerals. The instrument is best known for its resonant sound which is widely popular in China and other places. It is also used along with the drums and other instruments in the local ballads and operas. Many classic melodies are played on Suona such as the very famous 'Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' and 'A Flower'.

• Xiao 箫 — a Vertical End-Blown Flute

The xiao, also known as the dongxiao is an end-blown flute that is played vertically. The flute is made of bamboo and has holes on its top. The flute was first used by the Qiang ethnic groups who used to reside in Southwest China back in ancient times. The playing technique for this flute is quite unique and considered to be suitable for playing sentimental songs that are long and quiet. It offers an intriguing tune that can easily captivate the listeners. Phoenix is considered to be the king of birds according to Chinese culture and the sound of xiao is supposed to have the similar sweetness of a phoenix's call. One of the famous tracks played in Xiao would be 'Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake'.

• Gu 鼓 — The Drum

 The Tanggu (Hall Drum) is also known as Gu which is a huge drum that is highly famous in the Chinese music culture. It is a barrel-shaped drum that comes with two heads and the heads are made of animal skin for greater tensile strength. Buffalo hide is the best choice in this case. These drums are mainly played with two wooden sticks and tonal quality can be changed based on which part is getting hit on the head. According to the size of the tanggu, there can be various kinds of gu whether small or large. The bigger the drum is in size, the lower the sound of the pitch would be. The famous 'Fisherman's Song of the East China Sea' is usually played with gu to produce that grandiose sound.

• Bianzhong 编钟 — Chinese Chime Bells

It is an ancient Chinese musical instrument that is called the Chinese chime bell due to its similarity with it. These bells are usually made of bronze and a set of bells are hung through a big bell cot. The bells are arranged based on different tones which can be played with a wooden hammer of a bar. The hit of the bar creates bronze resonance which offers a creative and captivating sound. China is the world's first country to produce chime bells and Bianzhong belongs to the country for more than 2,000 to 3,600 years. The bells have been thriving since ancient times as they are widely used in occasions and court music. One of the best songs played with this instrument would be 'Moon and Flower in the Spring River' which offers a spectacular melody.

The Chinese culture has offered the world many ancient music instruments and they have successfully taken care of their culture without being highly influenced by the western countries. These popular Chinese music instruments are not obsolete, rather being practiced by kids since their young age. It is great way to embrace and save national music culture that reflects authenticity.