Erhu

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A well-preserved rosewood erhu with snakeskin soundboard, purchased in Hong Kong in 1996 and in excellent condition. The two strings are tuned to D and A, a fifth apart, as is stan dard for the instrument. The body features a hollow sound box covered with snake skin, crafted from rosewood, consistent with traditional construction. The horsehair of the bow runs between the two strings, so the bow cannot be separated from the instrument without removing the strings, a distinctive feature of the erhu's design. The erhu has no fingerboard; the player places the fingers on the strings without pressing them against the wooden neck, giving flexibility to apply different degrees of pressure to alter the tone.About the ErhuThe erhu is a Chinese two-stringed bowed musical instrument, more specifically a spike fiddle, sometimes known in the Western world as the Chinese violin. It is used as a solo instrument as well as in small ensembles and large orchestras, and is the most popular of the huqin family of traditional bowed string instruments used by various ethnic groups of China. The erhu is believed to have originated during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and has evolved significantly since then. In the twentieth century, equated to the violin, the erhu became a primary instrument for solo, duo, or concerto forms, and the leading instrument in both small regional ensembles and the modern Chinese instrumental orchestra.What sets the erhu apart is its extraordinary capacity to convey emotions and evoke a wide range of moods. The instrument possesses a hauntingly beautiful sound often described as ethereal, melancholic, and deeply expressive; its ability to imitate the human voice has earned it the nickname "the crying instrument." The erhu's range spans over three octaves, and while it shares some features with the violin, it produces a more nasal tone that is gentle but firm. Show more