The Erhu consists of a long vertical stick-like neck, at the top of which are two big tuning pegs, and at the bottom is a small resonator body (sound box) which is covered with python skin on the front (playing) end. Its characteristic sound is produced through the vibration of the python skin by bowing.
Is it hard to play the erhu?
For an experienced musician, especially someone who has played violin, learning the erhu is probably manageable. A musical novice without any previous experience, will find the erhu to be a big challenge. There is nothing very intuitive about playing the erhu, and there is a lot to learn.
What does the ER in erhu mean?
In Hornbostel and Sachs’ system, the erhu is. labeled as a “spike fiddle”.2 The er (二) character in the name means ‘two’, referring to the two strings; the hu ( 胡) character refers to the Hu people, suggesting an origin among the northern nomadic tribes. The erhu has.
Why is it called the erhu?
The name Erhu is Chinese, and refers to the fact that the instrument has two strings (er) as well as comes from the huqin family of stringed instruments. The instrument is particularly unique, especially when compared to other stringed instruments from the West.
How is gaohu different from erhu?
The erhu is played both as a solo instrument and in an orchestral setting. A higher-pitched version with a smaller resonator surface and shorter post is the gaohu, or nanhu. A larger, lower-pitched version of the erhu is called zhonghu. All three sizes are valuable members of the orchestra.
Where do you sit to play the erhu?
Traditionally the two strings are made of silk, but metallic strings are also used. An erhu player usually sits with the instrument on his or her left upper thigh in front of the left hip. The erhu is played by moving the bow horizontally over the two vertical strings.
What kind of musical instrument is the erhu?
Erhu sound. The erhu (Chinese: 二胡; pinyin: èrhú; [aɻ˥˩xu˧˥]), is a two-stringed bowed musical instrument, more specifically a spike fiddle, which may also be called a Southern Fiddle, and is sometimes known in the Western world as the Chinese violin or a Chinese two-stringed fiddle.
Where are the strings on an erhu bow?
The erhu bow is placed between its two strings namely the inner and outer strings. Traditionally the two strings are made of silk, but metallic strings are also used. An erhu player usually sits with the instrument on his or her left upper thigh in front of the left hip.
What’s the best way to tune an erhu?
You should typically tune your inner string (the string most toward you) to a D and your outer string to an A. You should twist your pegs in towards the instrument to prevent the pegs from accidentally falling out and getting loose.
