What is the guqin?
Q: What is the guqin?
A: The guqin is a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument of the zither family. It has been played since ancient times and is known for its beauty and refinement.
Q: How many strings does it have?
A: The modern form of the guqin has seven strings, although traditionally it had five strings and ancient qin-like instruments with 10 or more strings have been found.
Q: What range does it have?
A: The guqin has a range of about four octaves, with its lowest pitch being two octaves below middle C (the lowest note on the cello).
Q: How are sounds produced on the instrument?
A: Sounds are produced by plucking open strings, stopped strings, and harmonics. Stopped sounds are special for the variety of slides and ornaments used, while glissando (sliding tones) gives it a sound similar to a pizzicato cello or fretless bass guitar.
Q: Is there any other name for this instrument?
A: Other names for the guqin include "Chinese guitar" and "Chinaman's harp". It can also be called qixianqin 「七絃琴」 ("seven-stringed instrument").
Q: Is there any confusion between this instrument and others in English? A: Yes, due to Robert Hans van Gulik's book about the qin being called The Lore of the Chinese Lute, some people inaccurately call it a lute. Other incorrect classifications (mainly from music CDs) include "harp" or "table-harp". Additionally, it should not be confused with the guzheng which is another Chinese long zither without frets but with moveable bridges under each string.
