The bawu looks like a transverse flute but it is a free reed instrument. It has a hardwood body with a copper or bronze reed. Although often thought to be a traditional instrument associated with various ethnic minorities, it is more likely a relatively recent invention.
The yangqin (literally meaning “foreign zither”) is a Chinese hammered dulcimer introduced by the Persians during the Ming Dynasty. It is also known in other parts of the world as the santur or cymbalom. Traditionally, it has a row of bronze strings that are tapped with two lightweight bamboo beaters with rubber tips, also known as hammers.
The Xun, an egg shaped vessel flute is considered one of the oldest musical instruments in China and has been in use for seven thousand years. The Xun was traditionally made of baked clay or bone before being made from ceramics. Sentence deleted here. The Xun is the only surviving example of an ‘earth’ instrument.
Chau gongs are made from copper and zinc and date back to the Western Han Dynasty. Traditionally, chau gongs were used to clear the way for important officials and marches. Sometimes the number of strokes on the gong were used to announce the rank of the official. In this way, two officials meeting unexpectedly on the road would know before …
