Description: The word "liuye" means [willow or quill] and the word "qin" meaning [musical instrument]. The liuyeqin is a small tear-drop shaped four string lute form China. The liuyeqin was developed in the 1950's the use of the liuyeqin in Chinese classical music is quite recent. The liuyeqin is often played as a solo or as a lead musical instrument in accompinament. Traditionally the liuyeqin is played in Chinese folk music, Opera and in narrative music's such as Suzhou-pingtan a regional form of naritive music. Today there are even electric liuyeqin's with transducer type pickups.

Playing techniques: The liuyeqin is played with a plectrum and it is held upright. Arrangement of melodies are played in open notes and a very few chords.

Tunings for liuqin: The standard tuning for the four string liuyeqin is G-D-G-D only a few specific tunings have been created for variations of the liuyeqin. In the 1970's a version of the liuyeqin was developed by a luthier named Wang who made a liuqin having five strings tuned to A-D-A-D-A. This is a rare example of the liuyeqin; the three-stringed liuyeqin are almost no longer used.

Anatomy of the Liuqin: The liuyeqin is constructed of many materials in which these include bone, wood, plastics for the ornamental sound holes and outlay on the head stock and metal strings. Originally the liuyeqin was made from willow. Professional quality liuyeqin are made from sandalwood and rosewood. there are 24 raised bamboo frets. My liuyeqin has raised bamboo frets and a great sound and timbre when played. There are four wooden tuning pegs with bone ornamentation on each end. The strings are of steel and the liuyeqin is played with a pick. The liuyeqin sounds some what like a bright mandolin. The back of the liuyeqin body appears to be a single piece of wood.