The sound box of Erhu can be round, hexagonal or octagonal, with one of its ends covered with snakeskin, sometimes from a python, and other end an ornamentally carved sound vent. There are two strings, played with a bamboo bow with horsetail hairs passing behind the strings. The range is normally five octaves, and sometimes four in special cases. In modern times, many people have made innovations to improve the tone color of Erhu.

The most widespread piece of Erhu music in China is Two Springs Reflect the Moon, composed by the Wuxi folk artist Ah Bing in the mid-20th century.

The leading Erhu innovator of modern times is Liu Tianhua, who composed 10 excellent pieces of music for Erhu.