Traditional Musical Instrument

Traditional Musical Instrument Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Traditional Chinese musical instruments comprise a wide range of string, wind, and percussion instruments. Traditionally, they were classified according to the materials used in their construction.

The Eight Sounds

According to different materials that make the instrument, the sound played by each instrument can be classified into 8 categories, namely the Eight Sounds, which are: silk, bamboo, wood, stone, metal, clay, gourd and hide. There are other instruments which may not fit these classifications.

Instruments Introduction

The classic Chinese Orchestra has four sections: the bowed strings, the plucked strings, the winds, and the percussion

Bowed Strings

• Erhu: The Erhu has a small body and a long neck. There are two strings, with the bow inserted between them. With a range of around three octaves, it's sound is rather like the violin, but with a thinner tone due to the smaller resonating chamber. In the orchestra they are usually divided into 1st and 2nd parts.

• Banhu: This instrument is a variety of the huqin. This is so because it uses a wooden sounding board in the sound box. Also known as the bonghu (clapper huqin) because it was heard in the Bangzi or "clapper operas" of the 17th century.

• Gaohu and Zhonghu: These are common doubles for Erhu players. The Gaohu is higher-pitched, while the Zhonghu is the alto version. The Zhonghu has a beautiful tone, similar to the cello.

• Gehu: This is a mixture of the cello and the hu, using four strings, and similar playing technique. As the instrument uses a banjo-like membrane as the sounding board, the resulting sound is unlike the cello, however.

• Bass Gehu: Very similar in technique and usage as the double bass, with a different sound due to the variance in construction.

Plucked Strings

• Pipa: The Pipa, also the Lute, resembles the Spanish guitar in some ways, with long finger-nails being cultivated to pluck the strings. With its characteristic pear shape and four gut strings, many techniques and uses have developed, to the point where it may be considered a characteristic of Chinese music.

• Guqin: The Guqin, a seven-stringed zither, is the oldest Chinese string instrument with 3000 years of history. In Imperial China, a well-educated scholar was expected to be skilled in four arts: qin, qi, shu, and hua; in other words, the guqin, chess, calligraphy, and painting . Since the Guqin has historically been viewed as the symbol of Chinese high culture, today only less than three hundred people in China can play it. It is a rarity today.

• Liuqin: This looks like a smaller version of the pipa and sounds like a mandolin.

• Ruan: Also known as the moon guitar, it comes in a variety of different sizes and pitches, and is fitted with four strings.

• Yangqin: Coming in a variety of sizes, the Yangqin is a dulcimer played with bamboo mallets. The metallic tone resembles the harpsichord, and the concert model has four octaves.

• Guzheng: Also known as the Zheng, this is the Chinese zither. Sizes vary fron 13 to 17 strings and has a range exceeding three octaves tuned to the pentatonic scale.

Wind Instruments

• Di: The Di, or Di-tz, is the traditional Chinese flute. As only three keys can be played accurately on traditional instruments, most players carry a chromatic set. It can have a membrane over an extra tone hole to give the characteristic rattle effect, although some compositions call for this to be omitted.

• Bawu: This beautiful instrument will occasionally appear in orchestral wind sections. It is a flute-like pipe with a free reed in the mouth piece.

• Suona: This is a reed instrument with a conical metal bell. It has a nasal penetrating sound and comes in various sizes.

• Sheng: This is one of the oldest varieties of Chinese instruments, and consista of a bundle of between 17 to 36 pipes seated on a small wind chamber. A free brass reed is placed in the root of the instrument. Coming in soprano, alto, and tenor models, they have a great clarity of tone, and compensate for the lack of brass in tutti orchestration.

• Guan: This is a cylinder fitted with a reed mouthpiece. It has a nasal sound quality and generally comes in a variety of sizes.

Percussion Instruments

• Gongs and Drums: Like many other oriental musical ensembles, the classic Chinese orchestra uses a wide variety of percussion. Some examples are the Paigu, which is a set of seven, small, tuned drums, together with drums of all pitches and sizes. Used are the yunlo (tuned gongs), quings (tuned bronze bowls), and the jingluo, a small gong used in Beijing opera. This last is recognisable for its characteristic rising tone. Also used are cymbals, gongs, bells and hand bells, wooden bells and hand clappers, claves and temple blocks.

Traditional Musical Instrument Highlights

Traditional Musical Instrument Highlights Related

Ancient Naxi Music attraction highlights

Ancient Naxi Music is believed to have its roots in Xi'an ancient music. However, Ancient Naxi Music, with its mixture of literary lyrics, poetic topics, and musical styles from the Tang (618-907) and Song dynasties (960-1279), as well as some Tibetan influences, has developed its unique style.

• Lijiang

Traditional Musical Instrument FAQ & Travelers's Tips

1. Is it convenient to pay by Credit Card when shopping?
2. Can I pay by cash?
3. Can I bargain when I want to buy some goods?
4. Do I need to compare the prices of several stores when I want to buy one item?
5. How to avoid cheating?
6. Is it safe shopping in China nowadays?
7. What is archway? What is archway used for?
8. What do I need to pay special attention to before I pay for the goods?
9. Is it a must for me to inspect my goods specially?
10. What must I do before I leave the Shopping Mall?
11. Who can I turn to for help when disputes occur?
12. Is it possible to get a refund if I am unsatisfied with what I bought?
13. How to choose what to buy when shopping?
14. What are your first choices when shopping?
15. Weather the tax of anything you buy overseas can be refunded?
16. How can I take the antiques that I bought in China?

1. Is it convenient to pay by Credit Card when shopping?

   Most city shops in china accept credit cards. Check the credit card slip before signing it and remember to take your receipt. Credit card companies and/or banks issuing the cards may charge a currency-exchange fee on overseas purchases. Please check with your credit card issuer for further details.




2. Can I pay by cash?

   Yes. RMB is accepted in local stores. Money exchange businesses are available on the streets. But it is not convenient to carry with a large amount of crash.




3. Can I bargain when I want to buy some goods?

   For those who want to go shopping for souvenirs to take home, they can look around, apart from large department stores and shopping malls, in some of the open markets such as the Xiushui Street (Silk Street) and Panjiayuan Antique Market in Beijing. Unlike large department stores where the prices are fixed, these places are where you can and you must bargain. Your local tour guides or hosts are the best help when you go to these places. They will prove be helpful in finding the real stuff and beating the prices down!




4. Do I need to compare the prices of several stores when I want to buy one item?

   Don't purchase something at the first place you find it, no matter how good the deal sounds. Go to several stores and ask for their price on the same goods. If you tell them you found the goods for a better price at another store, they are usually willing to negotiate the price with you. After looking at the same goods at different shops, you will have a better idea of what is available and the right price for the goods. This will allow you to bargain better and get the best value for your money.




5. How to avoid cheating?

   Avoid Bait and Switch Tactics. Some merchants display ambiguous prices or request a deposit on goods only to claim later that only an inferior or more expensive goods is available. In order to avoid these bait and switch tactics, be sure to shop at outlets where goods price is clearly displayed. You should also compare prices to get a better idea of the goods's price and features before purchasing it. You should also verify and understand exactly what you are buying and what the price covers. You also can get help from the local tour guides.




6. Is it safe shopping in China nowadays?

   Shopping in most cities of China nowadays should be a pleasant and rewarding experience. To ensure that visitors return home satisfied, China Tourism Board evaluates shops and restaurants using the Quality Tourism Services Scheme. Goods sold at accredited establishments are guaranteed to be genuine and of high quality.




7. Can you give some examples about the notices when I do shopping in some cities of China?

   Make sure you know what you want in terms of models, features, price and accessories, especially when you buy some costly goods. When you buy Chinese medicine and dried seafood, please check the goods's unit price and the method used to measure the weight of the goods. If you have any queries about prices please contact the Consumer Council, wholesaler or agent, or visit the manufacturer's showroom for further goods information.




8. What do I need to pay special attention to before I pay for the goods?

   Please make sure that the goods are in your hand before cash on the table. Many shops cater to the fact that tourists do not know what they are doing. When you are purchasing goods, make sure you ask for the case that the goods came with, and check the boxes to make sure the goods you are buying are indeed the same thing.




9. Is it a must for me to inspect my goods specially?

   Yes. Check the goods before paying and make sure you have all the accessories that should be included. Check the goods you have bought again before you leave the store.




10. What must I do before I leave the Shopping Mall?

    Check Your Receipts. You should always get a sales receipt (street stalls sometimes do not provide them). Check to ensure that all details and verbal agreements are fully listed on the sales receipt. Make sure the goods details listed match the goods you have bought.

11. Who can I turn to for help when disputes occur?

    If you have any problems, you can call the local Tourism Authority or the Consumer Association for help. The travelers also can lodge a complaint to the local Consumer Association or the Court.




12. Is it possible to get a refund if I am unsatisfied with what I bought?

    The large department stores or shopping malls in China promise a refund if tourists are not satisfied with the goods within two weeks. If you buy some goods from some of the open markets, you will not have chance to refund.




13. How to choose what to buy when shopping?

    When shopping, travelers should buy stuff that are of local characteristics as souvenirs. They are authentic, under reasonable price and worthy of being bought by consumers. For example, the Longjing Tea in Hangzhou, coconuts in Hainan, local styled clothes in Yunnan, Khatag in Tibet, are all souvenirs to keep for yourself or gifts for friends and relatives.




14. What are your first choices when shopping?

    Stuff that are small and light are your first choice when doing shopping, because it is convenient to bring with. If consignment is needed, it is also necessary to know whether your goods are allowed to be consigned. Some goods are vert fragile; if they would be broken during the consignment, they would be even more unnecessary to buy.




15. Weather the tax of anything you buy overseas can be refunded?

    Only the tax of certain products can be refunded, which are products that are marked with "TaxRefund," "TaxFree," or "EuroFreeTax." Products that need refund must be bought 1 to 3 months before they leave China (the time limit is set according to each nation's laws). Products as follows can not enjoy a refund: alcohol and tobacco (because they can be found in refund stores), goods without taxes (such as fresh goods like raw meat), and goods that have already been used abroad. Products that are not carried with the passengers also can not enjoy a refund.




16. How can I take the antiques that I bought in China?

    When buying antiques, travelers need to buy antiques that have the permission from the State Cultural Relics Bureau (under the Ministry of Culture) so they can bring them abroad.