Ehru

Region: China · Family: Lute · Date: 10th century CE · Strings: 2

Overview

The erhu (二胡) is a two-stringed bowed lute from China, often called the Chinese violin. It belongs to the huqin (胡琴) family, a group of instruments brought to northern China by nomadic peoples around the 10th century CE (referred to in Chinese at the ‘Hu’). Known for its expressive, voice-like tone, the erhu is central to both traditional Chinese music and contemporary orchestral and film scores.

History

The erhu developed during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE) from earlier Central Asian spike fiddles. It was standardized in form during the Tang and Yuan Dynasties, when Mongol and Turkic influences introduced new materials like snakeskin and bamboo. By the 20th century, the erhu had become a solo instrument in Chinese classical and folk music, with prominent players such as Liu Tianhua composing concert works that defined modern technique.

Construction

The erhu consists of a vertical neck (no fingerboard), a small cylindrical or hexagonal resonator covered with python skin, and two steel or silk strings tuned a fifth apart (D4–A4). The bow is strung between the two strings rather than outside them, allowing continuous contact and subtle tone control. Sound is produced by pressing the strings with the fingertips (not against a fingerboard) and moving the bow horizontally.

Terminology Notes

Qin tong (琴筒): the resonator body.
Qin gan (琴杆): the neck or rod.
Qin ma (琴码): the bridge.
Qin pi (琴皮): snakeskin soundboard covering.
Er (二): “two,” referring to its two strings.