In recent years, Chinese people have paid more attention to the ethnic musical instruments. Some musicians have even made renovations to the ruan, developing alt, mediant, tenor, and bourdon ruan.

The alt ruan, which is loud and clear, plays the role of performing the theme in the band. The tone of the mediant ruan is quiet and soft. It is used to perform the cantus and episodes in concerts. It is abundant in rhythm variations while performing the accompaniment.

The big ruan is similar to the cello. While performed in the band, it often incorporates the median ruan, which may strengthen its sound effect. While performing the solo and chord, it may intensify the rhythm. The bourdon ruan sounds deep, similar to the contrabass.

 Dulcimer

The dulcimer, or yangqin, is a string-beaten musical instrument. It has a clear tone, and can be played solo, or in concert and accompaniment. It is very important in folk and ethnic bands.

According to the historical records, there had been a kind of string-beaten instrument that was popular among the ancient Arabian countries. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) it was introduced into China due to the country's ties with East and West Asian countries. At first, it was only welcomed around Guangdong. Gradually, it became well known all over China. Some folk musicians later made improvements, and the satire (sitar?) slowly turned into the Chinese ethnic instrument dulcimer.

The dulcimer is made of wood. It is shaped like a butterfly, and so it is also called butterfly dulcimer. While performing, players put it on a wooden frame and hold two bamboo sticks in both hands, which are used to knock the strings.

The performance range and tones of dulcimer are changeful. The undertone part is deep, the mediant pure, and the alt bright. The instrument is good at producing fast rhythms to express resilient, relaxing, and joyous feelings.

This instrument has a history of four hundred years. During this period, designers have created new types of dulcimer, such as the electronic dulcimer, which produces sounds through switching the sound waves into electronic signals, and then modifying the sounds through the amplifier and releasing them through the loudspeaker. The electronic dulcimer can perform not only accompaniments but also solos; therefore, musicians have spoken well of it.

The dulcimer has carried with it the traditional and ethnic features, which can be found in its makings, performance, and music creations. Today, it has been well received by all people.