Qiu Xiao

The Qin (pronounced "chin") is a seven-stringed table zither, quite possibly among the oldest Chinese musical instrument. It was cited in some poems more than 2,700 years ago. It went through different versions. The standardized 21st century version was created sometime around the second or third century A.D. The Qin became an instrument of choice at the court during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). In fact, it is the most documented Chinese musical instrument, in treatises, essays, handbooks, and poetry (there exist more than 150 handbooks on the Qin). It has been used for meditation purposes in natural environments, especially for Taoist and Confusion values, and its music has an obvious meditative character. One interesting point to mention is that the Chinese were already using harmonics on the Qin almost 2,000 years ago. Li Xiangting, one of China's great masters of the Qin, gives an exquisite overview of this instrument, which is more than two millennium old, with pieces almost as old as the instruments. You can hear history in this fascinating music and instrument.

This Rough Guide, like China itself, is hugely diverse and enthralling. Explore the sounds of over a billion people - from the ancient tones of the erhu and pipa and the Inner Mongolian folk revival to original Shanghai jazz, Chinese Pop and the latest underground beats.

The Qin (pronounced "chin") is a seven-stringed table zither, quite possibly among the oldest Chinese musical instrument. It was cited in some poems more than 2,700 years ago. It went through different versions. The standardized 21st century version was created sometime around the second or third century A.D. The Qin became an instrument of choice at the court during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).