Advertisement
Advertisement
Chinese musical instruments
In this series, the Post looks at classical Chinese instruments and the traditional Chinese orchestra, how the eight different types of instrument are played as well as their history.
Updated: 14 Oct, 2024
Advertisement
[1]
Explainer | The history of Chinese musical instruments, their role in a modern orchestra
From the earliest playable musical instruments to their roles in a modern four-section orchestra, Chinese traditional instruments and their 8,000-year history explained.
20 Aug, 2024
Advertisement
Advertisement
[2]
‘Chinese bagpipes’ and sheng, musical instruments made from gourds
The ‘Chinese bagpipes’ and sheng are wind instruments with a bottle gourd for a base and bamboo pipes with finger holes used to play notes. The sheng inspired the invention of two Western musical instruments.
26 Aug, 2024
[3]
Chinese chime bells and gongs have always struck a chord. Here’s why
Of the metal instruments used in a traditional Chinese music orchestra, chime bells and gongs are the most common. We examine their history.
08 Sep, 2024
[4]
The breathy charm of the Chinese clay flute, evolved from a hunting tool
The Chinese clay flute began life as a hunting tool to attract prey. It evolved to become an imperial court instrument and today is the signature clay instrument of modern Chinese orchestras.
16 Sep, 2024
[5]
The Chinese drum’s history, from hotline to the gods to orchestra essential
The Chinese drum, once thought to be an instrument that could speak to the gods, has been around for thousands of years in various forms. Two kinds are seen on the modern concert stage.
23 Sep, 2024
[6]
All about the erhu, bowed like a violin, and the Chinese zither
Their strings once made of twisted silk, Chinese stringed instruments the zither, or guqin, and erhu have a long history.
02 Oct, 2024
[7]
All about Chinese bamboo flutes, once made from the bones of a bird
The first flutes excavated in China were made from bone. Today, ones made from bamboo are widely used in Chinese music and opera.
08 Oct, 2024
[8]
How ancient Chinese made rock music with jade and limestone chimes
Lithophones comprising stone chimes in a frame were played at the imperial court and in rituals, and feature in Chinese orchestras today.
14 Oct, 2024
