I have been interested in exploring the acoustic sounds of the Erhu for a long time. Every time I hear this instrument, whether it is at a live performance or even as the background music in dramas, it makes me want to cry. There is such a deep emotional component to the timbre of this instrument that it can easily tug at my heart strings.

The Erhu, which is also known as the two-string Chinese fiddle, is a bowed instrument (huqin) that originated in China. It can be played on its own for a solo performance, or ensembles and orchestras for Chinese opera. You would usually hear a higher pitched version of the instrument called “Gaohu” as one of the main musical accompaniments for Chinese operas.

“Er” means the number two in Chinese, and this instrument has two strings. The outer string is tuned to A4 and the inner string is tuned to D4, which makes them a perfect fifth apart. “Hu” refers to the huqin family which classifies it as a bowed instrument. You place the instrument soundbox on your lap and you hold the neck of the instrument with your left hand. Your right hand holds the bow and the bowing movement goes left and right.

Photo by Andrea Wong / UBC Wiki

The soundbox is made of wood with a python skin membrane for vibration. The bow is inserted between the two strings so that you can only play one string at a time. You either have to pull in and put pressure on the inner string to play it or push out for the outer string. The instrument and the bow should be making a perpendicular angle.

The Erhu has such a unique timbre. A fun fact about the Erhu is that the wooden soundbox is the same length as an average human’s vocal tract. That is why the Erhu is known for its ability to mimic the human voice and other vocal sounds like horse neighing. That is another reason why I think I get so emotionally attached to this instrument because it is so closely associated with a singing voice.

Check out this famous Erhu piece called “Horse Racing” (Sai Ma) and you can see how many different ways this instrument can be played. Not only can you bow this instrument, you can pluck the strings and bounce the bow up and down just like a horse galloping.

If you want to hear something wackier, you can search up the Erhu’s song of laughter. It is a hilarious song cover where the Erhu tries to mimic a person laughing.