Description:

The gu-zheng dates back to the Qin Dynasty “warring states period" (475-211 BC) circa 2500 years ago. In Chinese the word “gu” translates as “ancient” and "zheng" means to argue. In the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 AD to 220AD) the gu-zheng was documented in vivid detail, a scholar named Hou Jin wrote that the sounds of the gu-zheng can reach the heavens and the spirits below. The gu-zheng remained very popular with the courts and amongst the common people.

Upon the arrival of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) the amount of strings for the zheng increased. In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD) the gu-zheng remained very popular. In the Ming Dynasty [1368-1644] a fifteenth string was added. In 1948 Prof. Cao Zheng was innovative in spearheading the development of music instructional programs that offer courses to study the zheng in universities, now these courses are commonly available in universities. In contemporary China the gu-zheng is being incorporated into many different genres Classical, Jazz, Chinese Rock n' role, cinema scores and experimental music’s.

A legend About the Zheng: There is a legend about a master se player his two sons were arguing over a se (25-string zheng) that his sons were to inherit after he passed on. As the master became old he was sad to see his two sons constantly argue all the time over his se. To settle the dispute he split the “se” into two 13-stringed zhengs in return this resolved the argument. The character for zheng makes up for two symbolisms the first meaning bamboo and the other meaning "to argue". After splitting the “se” the old master was very pleased and he noted the tone was more crisp then the se.

Playing Techniques: They include note bending with the three fingers of the left hand to right hand, roles, playing includes the use of tortoise shell plectrums each plectrum is wrapped with tape around the thumb, pointy and middle fingers are used these plectrums produce a very clean and crisp tone. Often the left hand works independently from the right hand. The zheng is tuned in a pentatonic 5-note scale C, D, E, G, A, C there are several tunings.

Anatomy of the Gu-Zheng: The gu-zheng can have up to 21 to 25 strings however the 21 string gu-zheng's are the current standard. Since ancient times the gu-zheng was strung with silk strings and in the 2nd century the gu-zheng was equipped with jade bridges. Nowadays gu-zhengs are` strung with nylon or steel strings. The body of the gu-zheng is made of Paulownia elongata or wu-tong wood. On the surface of the zheng at the left and right ends "bas relief" artwork is displayed. The theme depicts cranes flying throughout the sky. Cranes are considered sacred amongst many Asian cultures. The top surface of the zheng is curved while the bottom is flat. Two collapsible stands are made for the gu-zheng as you see in the photo. The tuning pins are protected inside a recessed container.