Brief introduction of Hu-Qin:

The Hu-Qin is a babarian instrument which was said to have been brought into China at the time of Han dynasty ( 140 B.C ). It is a two strings bowed instrument with a tone similar to western violin, yet more soulful and expressive. In classical Chinese music the Hu-Qin is melodic, haunting, beautiful, exquisite, ever changing and alive. The traditional style of playing is rich in ornamentation, giving the music a deep three-dimensional quality. There are five different kinds of Hu-Qin commonly used and they are briefly introduced as follows.

Er-Hu

Er-Hu is generally referred to as Hu-Qin. It's basically a mid-high toned instrument whose mid low tone sounds forceful and lavish. Mid tone goes gentle and touching, while high tone turns clear and bright. This changeful character makes it possible for Er-Hu to perform tunes of a variety of moods.

Zhong-Hu

Zhong-Hu, the abbreviated name for the mid-toned Er-Hu, was developed based on Er-Hu in the 1940s. Although both the structure and performing skill of these two kinds of Hu-Qin are quite the same, Zhong-Hu is of deeper-sounding timbre yet not as agile. Being more suitable for singable melody, Zhong-Hu is thus often used as tutti or accompanying instruments, sometimes foe solo too.

Jing-Hu

Jing-Hu the chief accompanying instrument for Chinese Opera and Han Opera, was developed in Qin dynasty ( around 1790 ) and also called the Hu-Qin sometimes. The Compass of Jing-Hu is the highest among all instruments of the Hu-Qin class. Due to its forceful and clarion timbre, Jing-Hu is suitable only for Chinese opera melodies.

Ban-Hu

Ban-Hu has many other names such as Pang-Hu, Qin-Hu, Hu-Hu and Da-Xian, etc. It is the leading accompanying instrument for Bang-Zi and other northern tunes or ballads. Similar to Jing-Hu, the timbre of Ban-Hu is clarion and bright, which makes it hard to join other instruments for tutti. Therefore it's usually for solo, especially for presenting joyful and passionate moods.

Gao-Hu

Gao-HU, also called High-Toned Erhu or Yue-Hu, is especially designed for playing Guang-Dong folk melodies. Gao-Hu is best for performing vivid and brisk rhythms, particularly used to cover the higher-toned compass that Er-Hu cannot play. In comparison with Er-Hu, Gao-Hu has louder volume yet brighter tones, and thus it servers both as solo and leading instrument in performing Guang-Dong folk melodies.