Erhu — Lutherie Encyclopedia

ErhuType: instrumentA two-stringed Chinese bowed instrument with a snakeskin-covered resonator, known for its hauntingly expressive voice in Chinese classical and folk music.## History The erhu is the most prominent member of the huqin family of Chinese bowed instruments, with origins tracing to Central Asian and Mongolian nomadic instruments that entered China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). The name "erhu" literally means "two-string barbarian instrument," reflecting its non-Chinese origins. For centuries, the erhu was considered a folk instrument of lower social status, used primarily for regional opera accompaniment and popular entertainment. Liu Tianhua (1895-1932) transformed the erhu's status by composing sophisticated solo works and introducing it into the conservatory curriculum. Today, the erhu is a leading solo instrument in Chinese music, featured in the modern Chinese orchestra, and increasingly heard in cross-cultural collaborations and film soundtracks. ## Construction The erhu consists of a small resonator body (qin tong) covered with python skin on one face, a long bamboo or hardwood neck, and two steel strings. The resonator is traditionally hexagonal or octagonal, made from rosewood, sandalwood, or other dense hardwoods, approximately 5 inches across. Python skin is stretched over the front opening, functioning as the soundboard. The two strings pass over a small bridge resting on the python skin and are attached to tuning pegs at the top of the neck. There is no fingerboard—the player's fingers press the strings without touching the neck, controlling pitch through finger pressure alone. The horsehair bow passes between…