Jing erhu
Encyclopedia
The jing erhu is a Chinese two-stringed bowed musical instrument in the huqin
family of instruments, similar to the erhu
. It is so named because it is used in jing xi, or Beijing opera
. It is lower in pitch than the jinghu
, which is the leading melodic instrument in the Beijing opera orchestra, and is considered a supporting instrument to the jinghu.
The jing erhu has a wooden body and neck. It is played vertically, with the body resting on the player's left thigh and the horsehair of the bow passing between the two strings. It previously used silk
strings, but since the 1960s has more commonly used steel strings.
The jing erhu was popularized in the 1920s by Wang Shaoqing (王少卿), a musician in the troupe of Mei Lanfang
.
Huqin
Huqin is a family of bowed string instruments, more specifically, a spike fiddle popularly used in Chinese music. The instruments consist of a round, hexagonal, or octagonal sound box at the bottom with a neck attached that protrudes upwards...
family of instruments, similar to the erhu
Erhu
The erhu is a two-stringed bowed musical instrument, more specifically a spike fiddle, which may also be called a "southern fiddle", and sometimes known in the Western world as the "Chinese violin" or a "Chinese two-stringed fiddle". It is used as a solo instrument as well as in small ensembles...
. It is so named because it is used in jing xi, or Beijing opera
Beijing opera
Peking opera or Beijing opera is a form of traditional Chinese theatre which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics. It arose in the late 18th century and became fully developed and recognized by the mid-19th century. The form was extremely popular in the Qing Dynasty court...
. It is lower in pitch than the jinghu
Jinghu
The jinghu is a Chinese bowed string instrument in the huqin family, used primarily in Beijing opera. It is the smallest and highest pitched instrument in the huqin family.-Construction:...
, which is the leading melodic instrument in the Beijing opera orchestra, and is considered a supporting instrument to the jinghu.
The jing erhu has a wooden body and neck. It is played vertically, with the body resting on the player's left thigh and the horsehair of the bow passing between the two strings. It previously used silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
strings, but since the 1960s has more commonly used steel strings.
The jing erhu was popularized in the 1920s by Wang Shaoqing (王少卿), a musician in the troupe of Mei Lanfang
Méi Lánfang
Mei Lanfang was one of the most famous Beijing opera artists in modern history, exclusively known for his qingyi roles, a type of dan role. Méi Lánfāng is his stage name, and in Chinese it is generally considered a feminine name. His real name was Méi Lán...
.
External links
- erhu music - Listen to relaxing erhu music
- Jing erhu page