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City Chinese Orchestra

Web Composer:
Wong Chin Loon
E-mail:
chinloon@pacific.net.sg
Updated:
28 Jun 1997
Feedback, comments
and suggestions
are welcomed.

The Heaven Of Music Created 26 June 1997

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Da Ruan is a low pitch Plucking Instrument of the Ruan Family. It is bigger than Zhong Ruan.

Ruan is a pucking instrument that has a long history. In BC 115, Han Wu Emperor wanted to make a plucking musical instrument immediately for the Wu Shun Princess whom he was going to marry. So he ordered his instrument technicians to make it in the shortest time possible. As a result, Ruan was invented. In Dong Jin (AD 317~420), Ruan Xian of "Zhu Ling Qi Xian" (The Talented Seven) can play this instrument well. And this instrument became popular among the people. However due to the chaotic situation at those times, the instrument was lost. It was not until Tang Dynasty (AD 684~701) that the Ruan was rediscovered and was named after Ruan Xian. In the modern China, Ruan is improvised upon and various sizes of Ruan are developed to give different tones and pitch.

Its structure is one of a round wooden drum and a long extended fingering board. It can be played by a plastic pick or finger nails. It has four string, and Da Ruan is tuned to C, G, D, A. The sound of Da Ruan is low and mellow. It is a loyal support to the bass section of a Chinese Orchestra.