Erhu

The erhu is very popular in China. Like the violin, the erhu is a stringed musical instrument. Yet, unlike the violin, the erhu does not have four strings. It has just two.

Besides the two strings, the erhu has a long neck and a small base. The neck is about 32 inches long. It has two tuning handles near the top for adjusting pitch. The base is like a drum. It is what gives the instrument its "voice." The erhu's base is usually six-sided. The front of the base is covered with snakeskin. The back is left open.