Yangqin a.k.a. Dulcimer (扬ç´)
Not many people know that I play Yangqin.
The problem is: They may not even know what is a Yangqin.
“Hi, my name is qin, yangqin.”
I started learning Yangqin when I was 13. I didn’t even remember why I chose that instrument, I just felt that I prefer an instrument that can range well between treble and bass.
In an open performance years ago, a Caucasian went up to me and asked me what I am playing. I told him: “It’s Yangqin, or sometimes we called it the “Butterfly Hut“. If someone ask me again today, I will add another more professional term for it: “In Western countries, it’s a dulcimer“.
Aha! A dulcimer! You will roughly have an idea that sound is produced by striking strings with something in your hands, but not your hands. (If you decide to hammer the strings for 10 songs, I guess you’d have to buy insurance for your fingers!) That THING is, in fact, a pair of bamboos!
Bamboos and their “House”
Closeup
When the bamboo reaches the strings, you will hear a crystal-clear “Ching” sound, tailed by a long long echo. In order to protect the bamboo and the strings, normally we’d coat another layer of rubber on the bamboo.
Another good news: Sometimes we DO pluck the strings softly with our fingers.
Tuning this instrument is a disaster! If you have to tune one yangqin at one-go, it’s catastrophic! If you have to tune more than one yangqins at one-go, within 1 hour, you will feel like dying! Why???
If tuning one string takes about 1 minute (some notes are even formed by four strings!):
Imagine:
1 string = 1 minute
1 Note with 4 Strings = 4 Minutes
10 Notes with 4 Strings = 40 Strings = 40 Minutes
2 Yangqins with 10 Notes (Formed by 4 Strings each) = 40 x 2 Strings = 40 x 2 Minutes (THAT WOULD BE 1.3 HOURS!!!)
This is just a simple elaboration, luckily, some notes are formed by only one string. Anyway, it’s still scary!
If you think you have seen this instrument before, it might be true. You know why? Because….
I have seen it also….
In Cambodia
In Taormina, Sicily Island, Italy
And maybe some other places that I haven’t been to…
January 27th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
[…] chosen are mainly and exclusively for them. Some notable instruments are Yangqin (Introduced in one of my posts earlier), Zhong Ruan, Pipa, Liu Qin, Er Hu and etc. I will blog about these instruments in the […]
July 4th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Nice website!!
May 4th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Am seeking information on tuning a yangquin. Apparently different models have different numbers of strings and bridges, and I imagine there are different ways of tuning them. Where can one obtain tuning charts?
May 8th, 2010 at 12:28 am
Hi David,
Do you know what’s your yangqin model?
October 26th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
I play the euphonium among other things. And people always ask the same question:
“What’s a euphonium?”
My feeble attempts at explanation include a “mini-tuba”. Gosh
May 22nd, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Hi, I am wondering if you have any score for Yanquin? I have been looking on -line, but no luck…
Thanks
Mei-ling
June 2nd, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Mei-ling,
What songs are you looking for?
November 3rd, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Seem Yangqin is hard to play anyway this is considerate content. i feel affection for it and will check back for your new piece of writing again.
December 1st, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Hey! I’m learning the Yangqin, but I’m having difficulties finding sheet music!
It will be greatly appreciated!
March 29th, 2012 at 10:49 am
Hi! Do you have any idea on how to tune the 扬�
Couldn’t find anyone who could tune it here 🙁
Please and thank you 🙂
March 29th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Hi Tammie,
Do you mean in Singapore?
March 29th, 2012 at 5:39 pm
Nope! I’m from Brunei. 🙂
April 11th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Hi Tammie,
Too bad I am not familiar with Brunei, unless you want to consider Miri?
April 25th, 2012 at 7:05 pm
Miri where? Can I have the address please. THANKS 😀
July 11th, 2016 at 3:21 am
Hi!
I am from Mauritius and im looking to see if anyone is willing to teach me Yangqin via skype?
I have the instrument already and its tuned.
Also know the basic techniques.
Let me know!