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Guqin Construction
The construction of the guqin Chinese zither is a complex process like any other musical instrument. However, there is much symbolism in the choice of materials, the shape or form of the instrument that are important things to consider when creating a qin. Design Overview In simplistic terms, the guqin is an acoustic instrument consisting of a sound chamber formed by two long planks of wood glued together. One or both planks are carved inside to form a hollow chamber. On the underside of the instrument are sound holes. Strings are supported by a nut and bridge. Scale length is typically 43" to 44.5". The center of the top is used as a fingerboard and is arched to some degree. Inlays mark note positions on the fingerboard. The instrument has feet on the underside to allow it to be played on a tabletop without blocking the sound holes. The underside also houses tuning pegs or tuners. The strings are traditionally made of silk but modern steel-on-silk strings are also used ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Guqin
The ''guqin'' (; ) is a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument. It has been played since ancient times, and has traditionally been favoured by scholars and literati as an instrument of great subtlety and refinement, as highlighted by the quote "a gentleman does not part with his ''qin'' or '' se'' without good reason," as well as being associated with the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius. It is sometimes referred to by the Chinese as "the father of Chinese music" or "the instrument of the sages". The ''guqin'' is not to be confused with the '' guzheng'', another Chinese long stringed instrument also without frets, but with moveable bridges under each string. Traditionally, the instrument was simply referred to as the "''qin''" (琴) but by the twentieth century the term had come to be applied to many other musical instruments as well: the ''yangqin'' hammered dulcimer, the ''huqin'' family of bowed string instruments, and the Western piano (''gangqin'' (钢琴) ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
