Traditional Musical Instruments

of China

Chin; Metal

➢ Chinese gongs - These are the instruments used in extravagant

systems of formal rites, especially in religious altars. These are
suspended on frameworks of two rows of eight, each arranged
according to size. These gongs are only played by one person using
two mallets.
 Shih; Stone

➢ Pien Ch’ing - This is a stone chime with sixteen jade pieces. This
stone chime is used in temple music. Its sound is short and crisp.
 Ssu; Silk

➢ Ch’in - This is a zither with five strings; it is an instrument, which

was much respected that it could not be played when perspiring,
during rainy season, after drinking or sex, or before impolite or
vulgar persons.

➢ San hsien - This is a chordophone with three strings played like a

banjo and is often used by blind beggars.
➢ P’ip’a - This is a lute with four strings.

Chu; Bamboo

➢ Hsiao - This is an end-blown flute.

➢ Ti - This is a transverse flute.

P’ao; Gourd

➢ Sheng - This is a mouth organ with a gourd that serves as air

reservoir. This instrument is played through sucking instead of
blowing air into it. It looks like a small organ with six pipes.
 T’u; Earth

➢ Hsuan - This is a simple wind instrument made of clay shaped like a

sweet potato with six holes.

Ko; Skin

➢ Hu ch’in - This is a vertical bowed instrument with a long neck and

a body covered with skin as resonator.
 Mu; Wood

➢ Pang tzu - These are wooden blocks used in temples for chanting.