The erhu is one of my favourite instruments to listen to. It sounds so unique compared to other instruments of it's type and can make a song sound really melancholic or nostalgic. To me, the sound of the erhu is the most distinctive Chinese sound.
@selinacarpenter7 жыл бұрын
aListers oh thank you! I'm so glad to hear that there are fans out there who loved the Er Hu:) I'm an Er Hu btw. Hopefully to become a professional 💜
@joeyyyyu6 жыл бұрын
Omg yess ,, i'm currently playing erhu
@stephen07935 жыл бұрын
It’s also one of the hardest to play
@qricc5 жыл бұрын
The sound of Erhu makes my tear canals flood, tears of sadness and joy in one package. A release.
@theunitedkingdom5 жыл бұрын
Selina Carpenter • You’re an Et Hu?
@shue-boxx9 жыл бұрын
Traditional Chinese music is sooooooooo smooth and calm like water and the wind. sigh. :)
@davecrupel28177 жыл бұрын
among the oldest of music types.
@rinchi36 жыл бұрын
Shuemeng lee I agree, it helps me study well😊
@cgen246 жыл бұрын
(there are also some really fast and "bam" ones)
@SonNightwing95 жыл бұрын
you should watch "our shining days" it east vs west
@chanjohan48945 жыл бұрын
SHUESPARTAN LEE when i hear it i imaging water and a bamboo Forest
@SpaceSoups4 жыл бұрын
Pipa - 2:08 Er Hu - 3:10 Di Zi - 4:47 Xiao - 5:36 Suona - 5:55 Gong - 6:52 Peng Ling - 7:30
@pro3973 Жыл бұрын
thanks!
@YanLuo9 жыл бұрын
Can't believe guzheng or guqin is not mentioned lol
@theresamay42809 жыл бұрын
Yeah seriously, I was waiting for one of those the whole time
@HotPepperLala9 жыл бұрын
+Yan Luo The instrument of Confucius is omitted lol
@YanLuo9 жыл бұрын
+rinwhr what does that even mean? lol
@HiroshiKoto9 жыл бұрын
I play the GuZheng and Japanese version of it the Koto! 😀 I love always playing them!
@MagicalKid9 жыл бұрын
+Yan Luo Yeah, and also Yangqin and Yueqin/Ruan
@hamzatahir6298 жыл бұрын
Where the heck is the Guzheng and Guqin, like what???!?!?!?!?
@47kate125 жыл бұрын
oh yea
@TrixxieRR4 жыл бұрын
The third one is the Guqin
@krystiandworak25694 жыл бұрын
no, sadly it's not on this list...
@hansonkewl23774 жыл бұрын
Need better English translations
@mobmoneymoovez64074 жыл бұрын
GuZheng is like a Chinese harp.
@abbeyyuyingwang92998 жыл бұрын
Can not believe that Guzheng is not mentioned in this vid. Guzheng is one of the most ancient percussion instrument in China and it has been so popular since!
@user-dz8uk4dk7n9 жыл бұрын
Hey guys, please make a part 2 with some of the other traditional instruments people have mentioned here in the comments! I'd love to hear more about the guzheng and guqin! And maybe also talk about Chinese traditional singing, how it's used in folk music, ceremonies, etc. I'm a violinist, but I love traditional Chinese music and how richly expressive and moving it can be.
@angelinawang79276 жыл бұрын
Brandon Brown I picked up guzheng after quitting violin for about 3-4 years and maybe because of the experience and some common sense for the chinese number notes it was very easy to play and get used to! If you ever get the chance you should try one or more of the chinese instruments.
@enyewox9 жыл бұрын
Sheng is also worth mentioning.. I guess you need to make part II haha... you're apparently dealing with chinese music lovers here who won't be satisfied with 7-piece only list
@4godand4thegays737 жыл бұрын
Chinese instruments bring so much emotion i love it
@jmecklenborg4 жыл бұрын
Maybe 15 years ago I was riding the NYC subway and had the car to myself. At a station the door opened and a man was playing the Erhu on a deserted platform, directly in my line of sight. The doors closed after 20 seconds and away the train rolled. It was an amazing NYC moment.
@Demandd9 жыл бұрын
Was the earliest instrument from China the leaf? Always see them blowing on leaves in drama.
@HayleyCs9 жыл бұрын
best comment
@Anne-zu9pr9 жыл бұрын
XD
@tianwenma85988 жыл бұрын
+鍾家偉 hahahahahahaha 我觉得应该是那个什么骨笛吧~~~~ 叶子也无法分类吧!?
@hxcq58835 жыл бұрын
@@yanzeng3998 really?
@chinmaychandraunshuh4 жыл бұрын
@@tianwenma8598 hmmm
@haoweishi13409 жыл бұрын
二泉映月 is my all time favourite it makes me cry everytime
@selinacarpenter7 жыл бұрын
Haowei Shi yeah:") I learned the 二泉映月 from 二胡. I love it😘
@ziyuanxi4339 жыл бұрын
I can play guzheng it's is so amazing
@HiroshiKoto9 жыл бұрын
Same!!
@VIsTheMusic8 жыл бұрын
+Kirito Kirigaya Same!
@HiroshiKoto8 жыл бұрын
***** Hey Vi An !!!!!!!!! Im one your biggest fans!!! I hope everything been well friend!! You play amazing and passionate!! lol XD
@VIsTheMusic8 жыл бұрын
+Kirito Kirigaya I'm so happy to connect with you this way through musical vibration and appreciation. I'm touched and this means a lot, thank you +Kirito Kirigaya
@HiroshiKoto8 жыл бұрын
***** No problem its an honor!! ^^
@sophiedong23919 жыл бұрын
Why is 古琴 not included it's in almost every ancient Chinese drama
@philly62643 жыл бұрын
It's included in ancient Chinese related comics, there are some in Chinese dramas, but mostly are flutes.
@hultonclint7 жыл бұрын
Suona is not distinctively “Chinese” sounding. Every single people/culture of Eurasia, etc got that type of instrument from the Middle East and China was at the tail end of that history. It’s equally Indian sounding, Persian sounding, Egyptians sounding, etc.
@amritasrinivasan29296 жыл бұрын
hultonclint True.
@lil_weasel2195 жыл бұрын
Egyptian? No. Egyptians were in north africa lol
@jovannybates37564 жыл бұрын
@@lil_weasel219 what's your point
@lil_weasel2194 жыл бұрын
@@jovannybates3756 you too them probably think Egypt is in Eurasia lmao
@Amidat4 жыл бұрын
that doesn't make sense. sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder. each region has their own distinct sounding instruments... considering humanity spread out from the middle east - that only makes sense. idiophones were found among tribes native to "the Americas". Are you going to claim those are not unique either since that's not where they started??
@HuangYanPing9 жыл бұрын
5:58 Elaboration/Proof on the term "Chinese sounding" - The use of this term is a short-hand to refer to distinctive sounds that are unique* to the Chinese culture. *or with the greatest visibility in the English-speaking world (since we're communicating in English). The begena is an Ethiopian sounding instrument, while the sitar is an Indian sounding instrument.
@BlackHayateTheThird9 жыл бұрын
I've volunteered at the Toronto Chinese Orchestra and got to see a fantastic performance by Guo Yazhi who was phenomenal. My classmate was part of the orchestra and is a professional erhu player- she played the (a?) horse song and the erhu truly has so much imagery. I also learnt the yanqin (Chinese clavichord) for an elective class at university. Although I took that course on a whim, I try fell in love with traditional Chinese music because of it. Thank you for the video! I was able to learn more and it reminded me of some good memories.
@barlas27403 жыл бұрын
We also have a very similar instrument to the suona in Turkey. Its called a zurna and its mostly played in celebrations like weddings.
@Lizhi荔枝6 жыл бұрын
I've played Xiao, erhu, dizi, and guzheng. Xiao is similar to a native American flute. There is another Chinese instrument like Erhu, but it's actually called jinghu. Jinghu is really high pitched and very close to suona in comparison to how loud the instruments are. That's what I remember from my memory.
@alifeworthknowing3 жыл бұрын
The weapon of choice as a martial artist he chose sounds alot like Wei wuxain from a Chinese drama the untamed
@KarlSheen5 жыл бұрын
Being a percussionist I adore the tam-tam (Chau gong), in a symphony orchestra i love how quietly it can create a sinister ominous deep fog of a tone yet loudly it can create a bright shimmering brilliance that can cut over the top of any orchestra going full tilt. A great example is Respighi's Pines of rome the Pines of the Appia Way. the constant quiet roll at the beginning creates the mysterious morning mists whilst later it is played loudly echoed by the cymbals representing the bright flashes of sunlight.
@nessyno-name38555 жыл бұрын
Me: I really wish I could find a video exemplifying different Chinese instruments, talk a little about their traits and differences, that would also tech me how to pronounce them. This video from a channel I know and love: (has already existed for 4 years)
@aaronrichard56479 жыл бұрын
Great video, although you left out my two favourites - the Sheng and the Guzheng!! I am hoping to buy a sheng in China when I am there in October... At the school where I teach Chinese (in Melbourne, Australia), we are actually starting a Chinese classical music ensemble in 2016... For our students who are mostly westerners aged 10-13. The instrumentation we are starting with includes dizi, ruan (da ruan and hong ruan), yangqin, erhu and percussion. Then we will see how the orchestra grows :) At least one other school here in Melbourne has a Chinese instruments orchestra, they have toured to China and Taiwan in past... Chinese people seem quite interested in hearing westerners learn Chinese traditional instruments.
@TheSaneHatter9 жыл бұрын
I actually DID know a little bit about this, from a "world music" course that I took in college. Once I learned about the erhu, I was able to recognize it in the soundtrack of nearly every movie (or TV show) about China that I saw. ("Last Emperor," anyone?)
@Evan87878 жыл бұрын
Chinese music is magnificent.
@blargcoster3 жыл бұрын
The Chinese culture is so beautiful! Such emotion and love put into everything!
@catherinelin28615 жыл бұрын
What about guqin? :D This is literally my fav out of all Chinese’s instruments! Love the deep and gentle sounds
@777fiddlekrazy6 жыл бұрын
I have a Pipa, a Guzheng and an Erhu and love them all!! the Erhu sound and play similiar to my violin but has an incredible female voice quality that violin cannot match. the Guzheng has a similiar quality to either piano or harp but due to the string bendings and harp qualities sets itself distinctively apart from any other instrument. Pipa is very distinct while similiar to a uke or guitar or banjo sound has its distinct sound body and string bend due to the deep fingerboard. I truly love these. however...I have not played some of the mentioned flutes or dizi. perhaps I will get one and lear one day. I am horrible with airdriven instruments. LOL! saw Shen Yun in Michigan. what an awesome show!
@r.l.howard84592 жыл бұрын
this channel is so cool!!! i've been really curious about China and Chinese culture lately and every question I search, this channel's team has a video on the subject. thank you so much for making this information so readily available and enjoyable to watch and learn about~!!!!!
@3migsu5 жыл бұрын
Wow, believe it or not, the SUONA is used in a traditional folcloric music expression form slaves times in Cuba, this music is called Conga Santiaguera, from the east of this little caribbean island (Santiago City)
@aatt32096 жыл бұрын
very educational and informative, one of the best clips you have produced, better than watching you eat at some restaurant, I love Chinese music and thank you so greatly for spreading the knowledge
@DdotTindall6 жыл бұрын
This is actually an extremely interesting video especially when it went into the meanings and classifications of the sounds and its value on a sort of minimal chaotic complexity over patterned systematic and layered classical. Btw if you're a music expert and can comfirm the above I'd be interested to know if my hypothesis is true. Thank you im so greatful for you discussing the meanings behind it
@redcar99493 жыл бұрын
I'd pick the dizi or the xiao. I already play the western flute and these sound like they'd be so fun to play
@MysteronLunaris7 жыл бұрын
How can you forget the sheng and guzheng!? Both are super ancient and seem to be of Chinese origin. I think you are incorrect about the erhu though. It comes from peoples in western China from 1500 to 1000 years ago.
@matthewl67005 жыл бұрын
The erhu originated from Mongol tribes outside of China to the north and west. It was introduced to China long ago. The 'hu' in erhu refers to huqin, literally meaning 'barbarian stringed instrument' named so because of the mongol tribes the ancient Chinese considered to be barbaric. Today in Mongolia you can find the morin khuur, a two-stringed instrument related to the erhu.
@sabweanaaa9 жыл бұрын
i play yangqin
@Minatosaki3 жыл бұрын
My zhangfu and erzi plays the guqin, didi plays the xiao, and I play the dizi in our family. Though, I am sad that they did not add the Guqin and Guzheng in here since they are also an ancient instruments.
@kimberlyadams20788 жыл бұрын
The only one I knew was the gong. XD
@Hinataluv9 жыл бұрын
I used to play a lot of these instruments, but i think my top three are still the pipa, yang qin and er hu. They produce the nicest sounds imo, love people who can play the dizi and xiao thoug, its really pretty in sound too.
@cliffwoodbury5319 Жыл бұрын
I was just looking for a channel that showed all (or as many instruments as they could) of the instruments in the world because i was wondering about the many instruments I know i have never seen or heard. I wish someone had a channel for instruments of the world but this is a start beacuse i was just watching a video of a small Chinese group and every instrument was new to me!!!
@darrishawks60333 жыл бұрын
I just realized that I'm saying "er hu" with a Beijing accent from seeing how y'all just said it I've been saying "ar hu" and I think it's because I met my wife in Beijing and she has apparently influenced my pronunciation lol
@RijuChatterjee8 жыл бұрын
The "suona" seems to be essentially identical in construction, materials, timbre of sound and cultural role to the Indian "shehnai". Even the names sound the same. I wonder which came first, hmm....
@sesa10764 жыл бұрын
Wow. I can't get away from Shen Yum advertisements anywhere! It does look like an amazing show but I can't imagine their advertising budget. They have two people at every carnival, town fair, etc. that I go to, and a poster in every bank in the Western Hemisphere.
@Amidat4 жыл бұрын
it's a political front... funded by those who are against the Chinese government... that's why it is so prevalent.
@FCXJ35696 жыл бұрын
Hey, you left out Konghou (箜篌), Guqin (古琴), Bianzhong (编钟), etc.
@IllusionQueen4Eva5 жыл бұрын
Unfortunately I think the ancient konghou is extinct? Wish I could have heard what it sounded like. The modern version of the konghou seems to be more similar to Western harps now?
@middletech4 жыл бұрын
You did a better job informing us of ancient Chinese instruments than Wikipedia.
@lilbarz52263 жыл бұрын
A few minutes in & I'm already blown away with this channel.
@ilvasushi36609 жыл бұрын
The erhu is my favourite instrument, ever. It just makes a sound that is so beautiful!
@Funnyguyfun79 жыл бұрын
what about Guzheng !!!!???
@landonbaytown5 жыл бұрын
They are great to hear, I have an Erhu (albeit, a cheap $50 one). I also have a Sanshin, while not Chinese, it did originate from the Chinese Sanxian. :)
@chinahktwunity8264 жыл бұрын
The oldest instrument in China was actually made out of stone, bells-like instruments which when hit in certain places & angles would produce a specific pitch. These were the earlier instruments which would be replaced by the refined BainZhong (Mandarin) or Ping Zhong (Cantonese). The Bainzhong bells were made in the Bronze era, & were more sophisticated, having two tones or pitches for each bell. The actual size of the Bianzhong Chinese Bronze bell sets would be approximately 3-4 meters in length, about the size & length longer than the wall in my room. Usually played by three people. It was used in traditional court settings fit for Emperors, though rarely known nowadays, it is one of the oldest musical instruments known in China.
@Fruitypebbles4899 жыл бұрын
Omg yes!! I thought of the old men playing the 二胡 at Chinatown too. Did you ever see the little chinese boy playing the keyboard at the canal st station?? He was sellin CDs lol. And i can't believe you didnt mention 古琴.
@Lizhi荔枝4 жыл бұрын
A kong hou is like a harp/lyre, but still sounds beautiful. Xun is like an ocarina and though it’s loud, the sounds feels like calm cool water.
@suppohkram9 жыл бұрын
As a musician I really appreciated this! I've always wanted to learn the 二胡, too! My friend plays the 笛子 and it sounds beautiful!
@andilove186 жыл бұрын
When they played the suona instrument in the video I immediately thought of the Indian instrument called Shehnai. I don't know if its origins are linked but it does sound and look similar. Shehnai is also played at wedding ceremonies in India.
@ml90059 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for the information you guys ! I had the opportunity to try a dizi and I'm absolutely in love ♥
@keytube10127 жыл бұрын
Apparently the suona is the cousin of the middle eastern Mizmar which has the same sound. Through the Silk Road trades the instrument was spread through the Asia
@IllusionQueen4Eva5 жыл бұрын
Was totally expecting to see the guqin, since it's in so many dramas, even as a weapon. Was surprised that it wasn't even mentioned in this video, along with the guzheng and the sheng. The erhu's my favourite string instrument, due to how sad and somber it can sound. The dizi's my favourite wind.
@Panda_Roll9 жыл бұрын
when I heard the Gong my first thought was "TEST YOUR MIGHT!" and the theme song for mortal combat started playing in my head!
@diekje87289 жыл бұрын
i was watching a clip from NTDTV where they talk about the guzheng just when you were uploading this. thank you so much for all the cultural knowledge you guys are sharing
@loganwetterling73319 жыл бұрын
I always wanted to learn the Pipa since all the people who play look so majestic and graceful.
@loganwetterling73319 жыл бұрын
All of these instrument are just so graceful! I just want to learn them all 😆😆😆
@murilocaruy9 жыл бұрын
Guzheng, drums, and many others, where are they?
@omarose7504 Жыл бұрын
LOVE this! Thank you for the good information I have been looking for.
@leaflet16863 жыл бұрын
I like the Erhu! I would love to learn it
@erinluttrell10859 жыл бұрын
Yo Yo Ma also did a really cool east-west compilation with The Silk Road Ensemble. It's not traditional, but it's a pretty cool and unusually sound featuring instruments and musicians from all around.
@krishnakanhaiya58456 жыл бұрын
Chinese traditional music is very special . it can comand our mind and soul .
@JonathanHung89 жыл бұрын
I play the 琵琶. It's really fun to play :D
@YanLuo9 жыл бұрын
+Jonathan Hung me too :p though it was a hassle when bringing it over to U.S., its worth it !!
@loganlyk7 жыл бұрын
You are a dude and you play pipa, okay...It almost sounds like a dude playing the harp to me LOL. No offence.
@JonathanHung87 жыл бұрын
loganlyk lol didn't know it was gender specific.... but who cares:) and no *offense* taken.
@cass84465 жыл бұрын
I also play it, but it's more difficult for me. The pain after a long session at the orchestra...And the fear when you realise that you forgot to practice and your fierce teacher is out for your skin !
@dear_totheheart6 жыл бұрын
Loved this so much! Would you make a recommendation of classical Chinese instrumental artists or songs?
@karankewat1.103 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@bromixsr7 жыл бұрын
I play three on this list, in a mansion I can strike a gong If ever I was needed to. I've always had a propensity towards music and a desire to play something different than everyone else. Plus I just love the sound.
@FMmantis Жыл бұрын
I was surprised that they didn't mention the Guzheng. Guzheng and Erhu are my favorites.
@weiqiangtong78229 жыл бұрын
No 古琴 and 笙? :P
@mannymedina67745 жыл бұрын
I'm not Chinese but I always wanted to play the Pipa
@dominicz23685 жыл бұрын
Where aren’t there Guqin or Guzheng?(Chinese zither) those are very representing...instead of the Qing, pengling stuff...
@zhubajie69407 жыл бұрын
The Bianzhong and the Bianqing I gather are also used a lot in Confucianism since they evoke the reverence for the most ancient past of the Zhou Dynasty. I remember especially the set in a temple in Nanjing but also played in the Bell Tower of Xi'an. Unfortunately I was not able to see the famous set from Hubei (Zenghouyi Bianzhong or the Marquis of Yi of Zheng Bells) in the Hubei Provincial Museum because it was closed last fall when I was near there. :(
@austinelvira50974 жыл бұрын
thanks! I've learnt something new even I'm a learner of the Chinese traditional intrument
@justcruisina1ong6 жыл бұрын
No GuQin?
@sakuramikan288 жыл бұрын
i never saw some of these before, can you also make a vid on classical chinese music/ like how the west have beethoven and mozart, is there a chinese equivalent to them in terms of famous classical composers?
@piotrdratwicki89003 жыл бұрын
not me watching this for homework at school- (im on my dads account-)
@goldsparklewrappingpaper5045 жыл бұрын
One my favorite Chinese instruments is the Hulusi also there is this one BIG Erhu called the Dahu
@mwpicone9 жыл бұрын
Great video. Very informative on a topic you don't see to often. Thanks.
@AlanaUrbano7 жыл бұрын
I LOVE THIS! Thank you so much for helping me in my Graduate Ethnomusicology class!!!!
@mhtwkk5 жыл бұрын
Would you please tell us about the drum. And did chinese use any instruments for the time of war? If yes explain us the meaning of it.
@MissBelle6139 жыл бұрын
Yangqin (not mentioned) is actually my personal favorite Chinese instrument, followed by the erhu
@stephielulu90964 жыл бұрын
Butterfly lovers on Erhu. Oh my gosh, melt 💖💖🎶😊
@jrgilbert7 жыл бұрын
Wonderful video. You have know-it-alls that want to shoot holes in your information, but for all practical purposes this was excellent. I certainly appreciated this. Thank you.
@Gichanasa5 жыл бұрын
You guys left out the Guzheng and the Guqin! How...? Guqin is often referred to as the Father of Chinese music. Put into your own reference to the martial arts, it was featured in the film Hero with Jet Li...
@9000leo9 жыл бұрын
Erhu is the newest instrument mentioned, invented in Ming dynasty, inspired by bowed strings from the west (silk road)
@rencechannel22405 жыл бұрын
No, more prevalent in Song and Yuan dynasty. This instrument introduced by Hsi Hsia Kingdom in the west to Song Dynasty.
@erinluttrell10859 жыл бұрын
During this video, did anybody else get the soundtrack to, "House of Flying Daggers" stuck in their head? That movie beautifully evokes emotion with all the instruments mentioned.... Totally should check it out if you haven't.
@beepingongpo9 жыл бұрын
I play the Dizi (笛子)!
@rinchi36 жыл бұрын
Phoebe Ong I always wanted to play the Dizi you should teach me😂😊🙏🏻
@alifeworthknowing3 жыл бұрын
I'm planning on learning it can you teach me
@anubis28149 жыл бұрын
3' 5"? Is that a rough equivalent to chinese measurements, cause pretty sure they didn't use the english measurements.
@user-pe2uv4fn6w9 жыл бұрын
+anubis2814 a very good point. I missed that completely.
@revinaque13429 жыл бұрын
I was thinking that too.
@thefanceman3 жыл бұрын
yous two are cool AF. make a video showing the instruments and like making sound
@vantran87365 жыл бұрын
I am learning guzheng. It's so beautiful and pure.
@cheveneserichards37293 жыл бұрын
I saw the first bamboo flute and the guzheng in anime
@kwongheng9 жыл бұрын
you seemed to have missed out 笙 or Sheng. I believe this is also a classical instrument
@AnhNguyen-lq2su8 жыл бұрын
You guys need to be in Off the Great Wall more!
@gradedgodly8 жыл бұрын
yes!!!
@trueagentt4 жыл бұрын
you guys are crazy charismatic! Great video.
@gerbelle909 жыл бұрын
Wonderfully informative! I'm very happy your channel exists :)
@flora50907 жыл бұрын
Fighting with a flute: Huang Yaoshi xD
@kenshinvang93745 жыл бұрын
I love the Erhu. Currently learning it.
@hassanhasan57035 жыл бұрын
there are so many instruments u can talk about!! Plzzz another vid
@webwhisper27014 жыл бұрын
The instruments are so lovely. I recently found and bought an erhu. Hope perhaps I will learn how to play it!