About Gu-Zheng
The zheng (Chinese harp), a string instrument that is played primarily through plucking techniques, has been one of the most popular Chinese instruments for 2,300 years. Originally, it was made of bamboo and had only five strings, tuned to a five-tone scale. In succeeding periods, the number of strings continuously increased. The strings were originally made of silk, but they were replaced with stronger steel wire (sometimes with nylon coiling). The Chinese harp has a long rectangular resonator made of wood; usually, rose wood composes its side and head, and wutong wood makes up its arched soundboard. Each string is strung on a movable bridge; these bridges can be used for both fine-tuning, and tuning to an entirely different key or style.
Traditionally, the right hand plays with or without picks attached to the thumb, index, and middle fingers, plucking strings on the right side of the bridge. The left hand, meanwhile, plays the strings on the left side of the bridge, bending the strings in order to provide embellishments and decorations for the notes played on the right side. The pressing of the strings by the left hand can also be used to alter the pitch.
Many pieces of Chinese zheng music reflect the grace and spirit of the Chinese people and their aesthetic opinion of nature. Countless people enjoy listening to the zheng for its soft, elegant tone and exquisite character. Finally, hearing the delicate tone of the harp helps to calm hearts and relaxes the mind; it will probably remain a part of Chinese culture for thousands of years to come.
