Ruan Liuqin Performance Collection

Author: Wei Yuru
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: The Ruan is one of the ancient plucked string instruments in China. According to the preface of the "Ruanpi Fu" by Fu Xuan in the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Ruan was created by referencing other instruments such as the qin, zheng, zhu, and konghou. It has a round soundbox, a straight neck, twelve frets, and four strings. The Ruan was originally known as the Qin Pipa or Yueqin. During the reign of Wu Zetian in the Tang Dynasty, it evolved to have thirteen frets. It was named after Ruan Xian, a Jin Dynasty musician who was skilled in playing this instrument.
Liuqin: One of the plucked string instruments, also known as the Liuyeqin. It resembles the pipa but is smaller in size. Early Liuqins were about 65 cm long in total, with two to three tuning pegs, silk strings, and seven to ten frets. Played with a plectrum, it is the main accompanying instrument for Liuqin Opera in the northern part of Jiangsu and the southern part of Shandong, as well as for Anhui Suizhou Opera.