(3.2) Guzheng

 Construction

Due to its ancient origins, the zheng is also referred to as the guzheng (ancient zheng). The body of the zheng consists of a long rectangular wooden soundbox, with sound holes in the bottom surface and supports known as yueshan on either end of the top surface. The guzheng traditionally had thirteen or sixteen strings, but with the further development of the instrument, this number increased to twenty-one. The guzheng is tuned to a pentatonic scale, and has a range of three octaves. Using both hands, six notes can be played at once, making it an excellent solo instrument.

Famous pieces for the guzheng include Yuzhou Chang Wan (Fishing Boats Greet the Evening) and Gaoshan Liushu i (High Mountain, Flowing Water)

 History

Zheng from Changqiao, Wu County, Jiangsu Province ; Warring States Period

The zheng came into widespread use during China's late Warring States Period. Examples of zheng over 2500 years old have been excavated from a Spring and Autumn Period archeological site at Guixi, Jiangxi Province , and a Warring States Period archeological site at Changqiao, Wu County, Jiangsu Province. The construction, stringing method, and number of strings of these instruments are quite similar to those of zheng from later historical periods.

 (3.3) Pipa (Chinese lute)

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