tiqin

• Name — Tiqin • Classification — Bowed string instrument • Related — *Erhu • Huqin The tiqin is a name applied to several two-stringed Chinese bowed string musical instruments in the family of instruments.

There are several types of: • The used for opera • The used for Cantonese music • The used in Fujian and Taiwan • An antiquated name for the sihu

The used in Cantonese music, also known as the is a member of the "hard bow" (硬弓) ensemble in Cantonese opera. Its neck is made of hardwood, often or (紫檀, red sandalwood). The 's sound chamber is made of a very large section of bamboo (larger than that of the, another bowed string instrument used in Cantonese music). Instead of snakeskin, the face is made of a piece of wood (桐, Firmiana simplex) or palm wood (like the face of a). The back of the sound chamber is made of the natural joint in bamboo, with sound holes cut in it. The used today in Cantonese opera is tuned to 仜-士/Mi-La/E-A (the opposite of the, which is tuned A-E.) The name also occasionally referred to what is now called the sihu. Additionally, the term is used in Chinese as a generic term referring to Western bowed string instruments of the violin family: • = violin • = viola • = cello • = double bass