Description: The Erhu or “nan-hu” [southern fiddle] is a bowed chordophone that is found and used in Chinese music. In the Chinese Musical instrument classification the erhu is regarded as a “bowed silk instrument" and it is a member of the "huqin" family. The erhu can be traced back to 1000 years ago since the Tang Dynasty [618-907]. A related instrument called the “xi-qin” originated from the Mongolian tribe “Xi”. The xi-qin was introduced into the Song Dynasty as the “ji-qin”. During the Yuan [1206-1368] and Ming Dynasty [1268-1644] and the Qing Dynasty [1644-1911] this instrument was played in court music, imperial banquets and operas.

Over time different schools developed for the erhu, two of the most famous Hua Yanjin [1895-1932] a blind minstrel and Liu Tianhua [1895-1932 contributed important developments to the erhu. In the hands of a very good player the erhu a virtuosic instrument and it is capable of a range of 3 octaves. The erhu is used both as a solo instrument and also one of the lead instruments. Since the foundation of the Peoples Republic of China 1949 the erhu underwent major changes in the playing techniques, the repertoire and also the musical education. Throughout the 20th and 21st century one hears the erhu through many genres. Currently the erhu is one of the most popular instruments in China. Traditionally there was no form of written music for composing melodies on the erhu today erhu players use a form of numerical notation to compose melodies.

Anatomy of the Erhu: The hexagonal body [qing-tong] made of sandalwood then on professional erhu’s python skin is stretched over the front of the erhu in completing the acoustic chamber this provides the nasal quality of the erhu’s timbre. The body of the erhu is assembled from wooden staves. A shaft forms then neck is called [Qin gan] goes through the body. Two steel strings are stretched from the bottom surface of the body to the tuning pegs. The Qian jin or nut is tied onto the erhu strings from the neck this keeps the strings together starting from a fix point. Sometimes a metal hook would be added to the qian-jin. The bow of the erhu is called a [gong] which has a screw to vary the tension. The stick of the bow is called [gong-gan], the hair of the bow usually from white horse hair is called [gong mao]. Sometimes a small piece of foam [Qin dian] is added behind the bridge to increase the tone. The [qin tuo] is a piece of wood that functions as the base of the erhu. [Qin tong] is the tail of the neck located just behind the tuning pegs in which a bone, or piece of plastic or ornate carving a dragons head are added. The [qin-zhao] are the tuning pegs traditional friction tuning pegs or mechanical tuners are available.

Erhu's with Python Skins: China passed a new law in 1988 protecting endangered species and rare animals after the CITES (Protection of rare and endangered species of instruments) make it illegal to trade or sell unlicensed Pythons. The State Forestry Administration introduced a scheme to distinguish python skin retailers in South East Asia and musical instrument makers in mainland China. Commercial retailers who order erhu’s from mainland china require certificates. Individual persons may export up to two erhu’s per trip to China.