Guzheng: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:21, 16 February 2006

Revision as of 01:59, 18 February 2006

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The modern-day guzheng is a plucked, half-tube zither with movable bridges and 21 strings, although it can have anywhere from 15 to 25 strings (a customized version exists with more than 34 strings). The guzheng's strings were formerly silk, though by the 20th century most players used metal strings (generally steel for the high strings and copper-wound steel for the bass strings). Since the mid-20th century most performers use steel strings flatwound with nylon.

The guzheng has a large resonant cavity made from ''wu tong'' wood (''[[Paulownia_tomentosa|Paulownia tomentosa]]''). Other components may be made from other woods, usually for structural and decorative purposes.

The guzheng is not to be confused with the [[guqin]], another ancient Chinese zither without bridges.