Hanfu Props: Ancient Musical Instruments

Hanfu musical instruments, such as the guzheng, guqin, pipa, and dizi, are iconic treasures of Chinese heritage. These instruments, rooted in the Han ethnic tradition, carry centuries of history and evoke soulful melodies that resonate with cultural pride. This article dives into their unique characteristics, historical significance, and enduring charm.

Abstract: The guzheng, also known as the Han zither, Qin zither, Yao zither, or Luan zither, is a traditional Chinese Han ethnic string instrument in the zither family.

Guqin (Ancient Zither): Guqin: The Soul of Hanfu Musical Instruments

The guqin, also called the Yao qin, jade qin, or seven-string qin, is a traditional Chinese plucked string instrument with over 3,000 years of history, part of the “silk” category in the eight-tone system. Its sound is broad-ranging, deep, and lingering, creating a soulful vibe.

Ancient texts claim legendary figures like Fuxi, Shennong, the Yellow Emperor, and Emperor Yao crafted the qin. Legend says Emperor Shun set it at five strings, King Wen added a sixth, and King Wu added a seventh during his conquest, making it the seven-string qin we know today. This shows the deep, enduring legacy of Chinese guqin culture. Over 3,360 qin melodies, 130+ qin scores, and 300 qin songs survive. On November 7, 2003, UNESCO declared the guqin a World Cultural Heritage. In 2006, it joined China’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Guzheng (Chinese Zither): The Vibrant Heart of Hanfu Musical Instruments

The guzheng, also known as the Han zeng, Qin zeng, Yao zeng, or Luan zeng, is a traditional Han ethnic plucked string instrument, one of China’s most iconic ethnic instruments. Its beautiful tone, wide range, and versatile techniques pack a punch, making it a crowd favorite.

Modern versions include mini guzhengs, portable guzhengs, half-zhengs, new zhengs, and 12-tone equal temperament tunable zhengs. Born on China’s fertile Yellow River plains, the guzheng is steeped in cultural history. It’s made of a panel, bridges (or qinma), strings, front yueshan, tuning pegs, tuning box, feet, back yueshan, side panels, sound hole, baseboard, and string holes.

Pipa (Chinese Lute): The King of Hanfu Musical Instruments

The pipa, the king of plucked string instruments, is a resonant stringed instrument made of wood or bamboo with a half-pear-shaped soundbox. It originally had four silk strings, now often steel wire, steel rope, or nylon, with frets (xiang) and pins (pin) on the neck and panel to mark pitches. Played vertically, the left hand presses strings while the right hand’s five fingers pluck, perfect for solo, accompaniment, duets, or ensembles.

A staple in East Asian music for over 2,000 years, the pipa first appeared around China’s Qin dynasty. The name “pipa” comes from “pi” and “pa,” mimicking the sound of strings being plucked. The character “珏” suggests “two jades clashing, making a sweet sound,” reflecting its vibrant tone.

Dizi (Chinese Flute): The Iconic Wind of Hanfu Musical Instruments

The dizi, an ancient Han ethnic instrument, is one of the most iconic and ethnic-flavored wind instruments in Chinese music. A transverse bamboo flute, it’s key in traditional music, operas, ethnic orchestras, symphonies, and modern compositions. Types include the southern qudi, northern bangdi, and mid-range dizi, with a range of over two octaves.

In ethnic orchestras, the dizi is a star wind instrument, representing Chinese wind music. Most are bamboo, but stone, jade, redwood, and even ancient bone flutes exist. Bamboo remains the best material for its rich sound and low cost.

Xiao (Vertical Flute): The Serene Hanfu Musical Instrument

The xiao, including the dong xiao and qin xiao, is a single-pipe, vertical wind instrument with a long history. Its soft, mellow, and elegant tone suits solos or duets.

Made of bamboo with a blowhole at the top, xiao come in six-hole (five front, one back) or eight-hole (seven front, one back) versions, the latter a modern upgrade. Its delicate sound evokes a timeless, serene vibe.

Erhu (Two-Stringed Fiddle): The Emotional Voice of Hanfu Musical Instruments

The erhu, a key bowed string instrument in the Chinese music family, dates back to the Tang dynasty over 1,000 years ago. The term “huqin” appeared in Tang times, referring to instruments from western and northern “Hu” ethnic groups. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, the huqin, including the erhu, spread across China, becoming a mainstay in opera accompaniment and ensemble music.

Played with a bow, its expressive, soulful sound makes it a favorite for evoking deep emotions.

Xun (Clay Ocarina): The Rustic Hanfu Musical Instrument

The xun, an ancient clay wind instrument, is round or oval with six holes. Tied to early Han labor, it likely started as a hunting tool mimicking animal calls to lure prey. Over time, it became a pure musical instrument, gaining holes to play melodies.

As a mid-range wind instrument, its rustic, warm tone contrasts with the high-pitched speech of ancient times, earning it love for its gentle charm. Its melancholic, soulful quality often made it a go-to for farewell tunes.

Sheng (Mouth Organ): The Harmonious Hanfu Musical Instrument

The sheng, a Chinese reed pipe instrument, is the world’s earliest free-reed instrument. Each pipe’s reed produces sound, making it the only wind instrument for harmony and the only one played by blowing and sucking. Its clear, bright tone and wide range give it strong emotional pull.

In traditional music and Kunqu opera, the sheng often backs up flutes or suonas, adding perfect fourths or fifths. In modern Chinese orchestras, it shines in melodies or accompaniment.

Gu (Drum): The Rhythmic Pulse of Hanfu Musical Instruments

The gu, an ancient percussion instrument, traces back to legends like the Yellow Emperor crafting a drum from the hide of a kui (a mythical one-legged beast) during his battle against Chiyou, with a sound said to carry 500 miles. Some interpret kui as a giant crocodile, its tough hide making a loud, resonant drum.

In ancient times, drums were revered as divine connectors, used in rituals. They also played big roles in hunting and warfare. By the Zhou dynasty, drums led the eight-tone system, guiding instruments like the qin and se, as ancient texts note: “Drum before qin and se.”