Introduction to Chinese Musical Instruments (Revised Edition)

Author: Jian Qihua et al.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-02-22
Features: The history of Chinese national musical instruments is long and profound, with a wide variety of instruments, each possessing distinct national characteristics. They reflect the creativity and wisdom of the working people of China. The people of all ethnic groups in China have not only created a diverse range of instruments but are also adept at absorbing foreign instruments. Many of these have been continuously modified and developed, eventually becoming part of their own ethnic musical heritage. Since the founding of the country, music workers have carried out reforms on some national instruments, achieving encouraging results. Currently, the number of national instruments we use, according to incomplete statistics, exceeds two or three hundred. These instruments, with their different types, performances, and colors, constitute an important aspect of the rich and diverse Chinese national music. To help readers systematically understand the general overview of Chinese national instruments, we have selected seventy-seven commonly used instruments here, categorized into four groups: wind instruments, string instruments, plucked instruments, and percussion instruments. Briefly introducing their historical evolution, forms, and capabilities, these descriptions are provided for reference.