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Some classical musicians might wonder, ‘Why is this relevant to me? Will this spoil my technique? How will this help me to advance as a player?’ In my experience, and through observing other stringed instrument improvisors, I see the study of improvisation as a pathway to erasing the boundaries between you and your instrument, and to enriching your overall relationship with music. From Corelli to Paganini, Biber to Bach, and Ysaÿe to Milstein, string players intrinsically identified as both composers and interpreters until the early 20th century. Grappelli remains the most common ‘gateway drug’ for classically-trained violinists to explore jazz, but once you go down the rabbit hole you are reminded of the rich history of stringed instrument improvisors stretching back through history. As we listened in amazement to each of Grappelli’s solos, my idea of what was possible as an improvising violinist was changed forever. We also have created a math and ELA unit for grades 1-3 to teach about Chinese New Year.I have an indelible memory of my dad bringing home the 'Stéphane Grappelli/David Grisman Live' LP and playing it on our basement hi-fi. Go now! > Chinese New Year Math and ELA Unit, Grades 1-3 Want to introduce your PreK through 1st grade students to Chinese New Year? Our Chinese New Year Math and Literacy Unit is one resource you don’t want to miss! Available at the Kid World Citizen Teachers Pay Teachers Store, this unit is an incredible collection of Common Core aligned reading, writing, math, and critical thinking activities, as well as craftivities and coloring sheets.

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If you’d like a coloring page of the Chinese erhu or other stringed instruments from around the world, check out the resources listed below:īlack and white coloring page of the erhu from DARIA’s world music for children siteĬolor poster of erhu plus black and white coloring page from TeachersPayTeachersįree Coloring Pages of World Music Instruments from DARIA Chinese New Year Math and Literacy! PreK-1 She performs a song whose title translates to “Spring Scenery in the South of the Yangtze River.”Ĭolor An Erhu Or Other World Music Instruments You can see an erhu playing a traditional folksong in this short video clip featuring Chinese musician, Yu Hong-Mei, originally from Shangdong province.

On the violin, fingers touch the fretboard to create different notes and the bow can move on and off the strings while it is being played. On the erhu, the strings are pressed but do not touch the fingerboard and the bow does not leave the strings. The erhu sits on a players lap while the violin rests between the shoulder and chin of its player. Not A ViolinĪlthough the erhu is sometimes called a Chinese fiddle, a 2 stringed violin or a southern or spike fiddle, it is definitely not played in the same manner as a Western-style violin.

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The instrument is played with a bow that was originally made from bamboo and horsehair and the small soundbox was generally covered with snakeskin or python skin to create the specific sound associated with an erhu. A long neck sticks upright and two strings are held in place with tuning pegs. The instrument consists of a very small soundbox made of hardwood (such as sandlewood) which sits in the player’s lap. And although there are almost 30 Huquin family instruments, the versatility and unique sound of the erhu earned it a special place in traditional Chinese music as well as modern jazz, pop and even rock music groups.

They brought a family of instruments called the Huquin family, which includes the erhu, the zhonghu (lower in pitch) and the gaohu (higher in pitch) as well as other related instruments with similar characteristics.

Roots Of The ErhuĪlthough this instrument is now heard throughout China and Chinese folk music, it has its roots in the culture of nomadic people who traveled from Central Asia to this region about 1,000 years ago. In fact, if you check out the video below, you’ll realize that you’ve probably already heard an erhu many times but did not know the specific name for the instrument. Although it resembles a violin in some ways, the erhu has only two strings and has a soaring voice and emotional quality that is all it’s own. In the music of China, you often hear a distinctive instrument called an erhu (二胡 pinyin: èrhú, ). The traditional music of some countries might feature a guitar, sitar, balalaika, cuarto, charango, banjo or dozens of other truly unique instruments. Image credits: LDHan and Anna Frodesiak, CC useĮvery culture rocks out in different ways.