Erhu
二胡
🌍 China
China's two-stringed fiddle — its voice sounds like the human soul itself singing
Amy says:
Nǐ hǎo! I'm Amy! The erhu is the soul of Chinese music — it can sound like a human voice crying, laughing, or singing. It has just two strings, but a master can produce an extraordinary range of emotions. The most famous erhu piece, 'Erquan Yingyue' (The Moon Reflected on the Second Spring), was composed by a blind street musician named Abing and makes people cry every time it is played. So beautiful!
Quick Facts
Strings
Only 2 strings
Type
Spike fiddle (no fingerboard)
Age
~1,000 years (Song Dynasty)
Range
3+ octaves
Discover the Erhu
The erhu has only two strings — but its bow is permanently trapped BETWEEN them, not on the outside. The hair of the bow runs through the strings and can never be removed without taking the instrument apart!
Instrument Type
String
Known As
二胡
Where It's Played
📷 Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC licence)
For Educators
Music is a universal language! Use this page to spark classroom discussions about culture, history, and how music connects communities around the world.
Did You Know?
The erhu bow is permanently interlaced between the two strings — it can never be separated from the instrument without dismantling it. Player and bow are inseparable.
The erhu is often called the "Chinese violin" in the West, but it predates the violin by centuries and developed completely independently in East Asia.
The erhu is now played in Chinese orchestras, jazz bands, film scores, and even rock music — its versatile vocal quality crosses musical genres easily.
What Makes the Erhu Special?
No Fingerboard
Unlike a violin, the erhu has no fingerboard — the player presses the strings from the side, not against wood. This allows subtle bends and slides that give erhu playing its vocal, expressive quality.
The Snakeskin
The traditional erhu resonator is covered in python skin — the texture and vibration of the snakeskin is essential to the instrument's distinctive warm tone. Modern versions use synthetic materials.
The Most Famous Piece
"Erquan Yingyue" (Moon Over the Second Spring) — composed by blind street musician Abing around 1950 — is one of China's most beloved pieces of music. It was nearly lost until a folk music researcher recorded him just before his death.
Keep Exploring the World!
Music is the heartbeat of every culture. Discover more incredible instruments and the countries where they are played.