Guqin: A Musical Instrument That Links the Past with the Present The guqin is a seven-stringed Chinese musical instrument that has been played since ancient times. It is known for its subtlety and refinement, and it has traditionally been favored by scholars and literati . The guqin is believed to have originated in China during the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC 771 BC) . It is often referred to as the Chinese zither, but it has nothing else in common with the zither .To get more news about guqin, you can visit shine news official website. The guqin is an indispensable part of Chinese elite culture, and in ancient times, it was a matter of course that a decent nobleman and scholar would be able to play it . The instrument even defines the essence of aestheticism and philosophy in China. It is no doubt the most frequently shown-up subject matter in Chinese literature and has been interweaving with the history of the country . The guqin is believed to be three chi, six cun, and five fen (about 136 centimeters) in length, representing the 365 days of the year. The original five strings symbolize the five elements in Chinese philosophy: Jin, Mu, Shui, Huo, and Tu, as well as the five tunes Gong, Shang, Jue, Zhi, and Yu (equivalence of Do-Re-Mi-So-La), while the other strings are respectively named the civil and military string . The artistic features of guqin music are unique. Guqin music is characterized by its slow pace, subtle variations in pitch, and delicate finger techniques. It is often used to express emotions such as sadness, joy, anger, and happiness . Guqin music is also known for its ability to evoke images of nature. Many pieces are named after natural phenomena such as High Mountains Flowing Water, which depicts a pair of bosom friends . In conclusion, the guqin is a musical instrument that links the past with the present. It represents Chinas foremost solo musical instrument tradition and is inseparable from Chinese intellectual history . Its unique artistic features make it a must-try for anyone who loves music. |