Liuqin

The has gone by various names, firstly the ' (), meaning willow leaf-shaped instrument. This was the original term for the , which is an abbreviation of the term . The other reference to the is the ' (), literally meaning unrefined , because of the diminutive size and resemblance of the to the . Throughout its history, the came in variations ranging from two (which only had a range of one and a half octaves) to four strings. However, the earliest precursor of the modern four-stringed version of the instrument appeared and experienced popularity during the Qing dynasty. This version had two strings, and was only used for accompaniment purposes in traditional operas. The two-stringed remained in use for much of dynastic China from the Qing dynasty until the late 20th century. With the modernization of traditional Chinese music in the 1970s, the four-stringed was developed as an improvement to its musical range, and the body of the instrument was enlarged to allow players to handle the instrument with greater ease. ==Playing technique, tones and range==

The playing technique is similar to that of the mandolin, using a plectrum and frequently using the tremolo technique. Its strings are either tuned in fifths, G-D-A-E (as a mandolin or violin), or else in a mixture of fourths and fifths, as for example G-D-G-D, which is the more common tuning employed by mainstream players of the . This makes playing of the exactly the same as the , which is tuned an octave lower, hence players of either the or the can often double on both instruments. The has a refreshing, jubilant and delicate tonal quality. The modern has four steel strings. Like the , the number of the 's frets was increased from 7 to 29 over the course of the 20th century. These frets are arranged in half-step intervals. As the frets on all Chinese lutes are high, the fingers do not touch the instruments' bodies—distinctively different from western fretted instruments. This allows for a greater control over timbre and intonation than their western counterparts, but makes chordal playing (double, triple, quadruple stopping) more difficult. ==Notable players of the ==

• Wang Huiran (, 1936-2023), esteemed "Father of the " • Wang Hongyi (), daughter of Wang Huiran • NiNi Music • Mei Han, guzheng who doubles on ==Liuqin repertoire==

Composed/ co-composed/ adapted by Wang Huiran () • Canal Works of Happiness • Melody on a Moonlit River • Sing a Mountain Song of Love • Spring Comes to River Yi () • The Lark (Yun Que) Romanian Folk Music • Warrior Suite By other composers • Sword Dance () • Beyond the Horizons () • Courtyard After The Rain () ==See also==