China is a nation with a long history. Many musical instruments have been found buried along with other treasures in royal tomb.It divides in to three.

China is a nation with a long history. Many musical instruments have been found buried along with other treasures in royal tomb.It divides in to three main types:the wind, the string, and the percussion instruments.

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Drum 鼓Drum 鼓

Pipa is one of the oldest and well-known instruments in the Chinese orchestra with 2,000 years of history. It is rich in expression and has diverse performing techniques. Pipa is one of the most symbolic Chinese musical instruments.

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Liuqin is also known as liuyueqin. It is a two or three-string willow-shaped plucking instrument which was popular during the Tang Dynasty. It is now improved to a four-string plucking instrument. This instrument provides the high notes in a Chinese orchestra. Listen

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Yangqin originates from Western Asia and was introduced into China during the Ming Dynasty. Two bamboo sticks are used to hit strings strung in pairs thus producing a high and tinkling timbre in its top registers.

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Zheng is popular during the Warring States. The instrument comprises 13 to 21 strings. In the orchestra, the zheng is employed when special effects such as the descending strains of cascading water is required.

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The erhu is also known as the nanhu, nan being south, because theinstrument first became popular in southern China. It is capable of producing a gentle but firm tone.

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Also known as yuehu, is developed from the erhu by the renowned Cantonese musician, Lu Wen Cheng. The Construction is smaller than erhu.The tuning of the gaohu is a perfect fourth or fifth higher than the erhu.

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The zhonghu produces music of a lower pitch. The shade of the resonator varies from circular to octagonal.

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Drum 鼓Drum 鼓 The drum has been in existence since 2079BC.There are twirling drum, hanging drum. Drums can be made of metal, bamboo or animal skin.

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Like the luo, the cymbals or bo is mainly used in theatres and on ceremonial occasions.

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The gong is a popular folk musical instrument. It is also known as luo. The sound from the luo or gong is produced by the mallet hitting the metal plate.

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This double reed instrument was brought to China by Muslim travellers 500 years ago. It is able to produce both sad and lively sounds. It can imitate the sound of bird singing.

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The suona was introduced into China from Persia and Arabia during the Ming dynasty. Gradually it came to be commonly used in the wedding and funeral ceremonies, orchestral and theatrical music.

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Pipa Erhu Liuqin Yangqin

Sheng Goahu Drum Suona

Zhonghu Zheng

Drum Gong

Gaohu Dizi

Cymbals Erhu

Yangqin Zheng Pipa Liuqin

Click the button and listen to the music carefully.Guess which Chinese instruments are used to perform

the songs. Click the answer yourself.

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DreamingComposer: Schumann

Minute WaltzComposer: Chopin

Swan Lake: Final SceneComposer: Tchaikovsky

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music!

http://www.singapore.chineseorchestra.com/

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

2A Li Sze Pui

2A Chung Wai Yu

2A Ng Ngok Hiu

Click the words to entry the Musical World.