Huqin

The Huqin section is primarily made up of the Erhu (二胡). Its two strings are tuned to D4 and A4 respectively. The Zhonghu (中胡) is tuned a bit lower while the Gaohu (高胡) is tuned a bit higher.

Because of this two string configuration, it differs greatly from the violin when it comes to playing. Instead of placing the bow on top of the strings, the bow is slotted in between the strings to allow for quick jumps from string to string.

One unique feature the Erhu and its counterparts boast is its ability to mimic animal noises, such as a horse's neigh or the tweet of a song bird! It's this special feature that allows the erhu that bring any musical piece more vibrancy.

The Erhu and its counterparts have a long and storied past, including many famous composers and players. One of the most notable pioneers is Liu Tianhua (刘天华). He composed 47 practice pieces and 10 solo pieces for the Erhu, propelling the erhu from the streets to the big stage.

Let's not forget about the teachers who make it possible for us to learn this exotic instrument. The Huqin section here in RI is fortunate to have two very talented and experienced instructors to teach and guide us: Mr Darrel Xin and Ms She Ling.

Google Sites

Report abuse