Monday-ish word: erhu

[ersatz-read.livejournal.com]

erhu (är′ho͞o′), noun
A Chinese stringed instrument that has two strings stretched from a soundbox along a long thin neck; it is played with a bow.

More information here.

Etymology:  from Mandarin èrhú, 'two'.

I was able to hear a musician play the erhu at the China Lights lantern display a couple weeks ago.

Comments

[med_cat]

What an unusual-looking instrument! What does it sound like?

[ersatz-read.livejournal.com]

It seems a good musician can get a surprising range of sounds from it. The musician I heard made - among other things - a sound representing galloping hooves.
Better idea is probably to just google 'erhu music yotube' and you'll get lots of hits for beautiful music.

[med_cat]

Very interesting, and thanks, shall take a look on YT :)

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Was it a solo? I usually see it played as part of an ensemble.

[ersatz-read.livejournal.com]

Yes a solo.