Liuqin

The name, Liuqin, comes from the fact that this instrument is made of willow wood and is shaped like a willow leaf ("Liu" in Chinese means willow. Thus, it is also known as the Liuyeqin). During the Tang dynasty, the Liuqin only had 3 strings. It used to be an accompanying instrument in the Liuqin-xi, a local opera. It has now become a popular solo instrument. It looks like the Pipa, only smaller in size. In the 1970s, the present 4 stringed Liuqin was developed. Its 4 strings, tuned to G-D-G-D, are stretched over the sound board, which has two holes. Clear and bright, the Liuqin is the highest-pitched member of the orchestra. Thus, the liuqin can aut right through the heviest sound the orchestra can make. It is also frequently features in cadenzas.

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