Aaron Rabushka asks:
>What is a guqin?
The "quqin" or just "qin" (as "gu" means ancient) is a seven-string zither,
with strings fully exposed over a resonant wood soundboard. Harmonic
points are tradtionally marked with pearls, and strokes are modified while
still on the finger as well as with harmonics in the left hand. Each note
is thus richly articulated. Part of the repertory are dated to Han times.
Please see my discussion for some other details and several recommended
recordings:
http://www.medieval.org/music/world/china.html#qin
Also, for those reading my regular column, I did one with some more
discussion on performance philosophies and the like.
Todd McComb
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