Erxian

The ''erxian'' ( 二弦; pinyin: èrxián; literally "two string") is a Chinese bowed string instrument in the ''huqin'' family of instruments. It has two strings and is used primarily in Cantonese music, most often in "hard string" chamber ensembles. In the 1920s, following the development of the ''gaohu'', the ''erxian'' experienced a decline and since the late 20th century has been little used outside the tradition of Cantonese opera.

Similar instruments also referred to as ''erxian'' (constructed and played differently from the Cantonese ''erxian'' discussed above) are used in Chaozhou music (where it is called ''touxian'', 头弦, literally "leading string nstrument) and in the '' nanguan'' music of the Southern Fujian people.

The ''erxian'' (called ''yi6 yin4'' 二弦 in Cantonese) is often referred to as the ''yizai'' () amongst older Cantonese opera musicians. The neck of most ''erxian'' is made of hardwood (often ''suanzhi'' ( 酸枝, rosewood) or ''zitan'' ( 紫檀, rosewood or red sandalwood). The sound chamber is made of a large section of bamboo with a dome-shaped ring of hardwood glued on the front end, making the actual playable face of the chamber about half the size of the entire face. The back of the sound chamber is not covered with any lattice work like those of ''erhu'' or ''gaohu''. ''Erxian'' can be found with very ornate dragon heads, ''ruyi'' () heads, or a very plain box-cut stock head. Earlier ''erxian'' very closely resembled the ''jinghu'' of Beijing opera in size, construction, and playing technique.

Currently, the ''erxian'' is used for accompanying the singing of ''dai-hau'' ( 大喉) characters in Cantonese opera as well as all roles in ''gu-hong'' Cantonese opera (). Other instruments used in conjunction with the ''erxian'' are the ''juktaikam''/'' zhutiqin'' (), ''yueqin'' (''yuetkam''), ''sanxian'' (''samyin''), and ''doontong''/''duantong'' (). Together, this grouping of instruments is called the "hard bow ensemble" (). The name "hard bow" comes from the fact that both the ''erxian'' and ''tiqin'' are/should be played with a bow made of a thick, hard piece of bamboo rather than a thinner and softer reed like modern ''huqin'' bows.

The ''erxian'' of earlier times came in two forms: one for playing ''bongjee''/''bangzi'' ( 梆子), and a slightly larger one for playing ''yiwong''/''erhuang'' ( 二黃).
*A ''bangzi erxian'' is tuned to 士-工/la-mi/A-e
*An ''erhuang erxian'' is tuned to 合-尺/so-re/G-d
Today, the ''bangzi erxian'' is more commonly used to play both ''bangzi'' and ''erhuang'' melodies. The heavy silk strings of the earlier ''erxian'' have largely been replaced with wound steel strings and some modern players have begun to use ''erhu'' bows instead of the heavier (and more uncomfortable) "hard bows."

While the ''erxian'' has experienced a decline in usage since the 1920s, it remains a staple instrument in any Cantonese opera orchestra and recently composed Cantonese operas like "新霸王別姬" and "林沖之魂會山神廟" are calling for its regular usage.

See also

*Huqin
* Đàn nhị
*Gaohu
* Tiqin
*Traditional Chinese musical instruments

External links

Article about ''nanyue erxian''
(Chinese)
''Erxian'' photographPhotograph of ''nanguan'' ''erxian''Erxian page
(Chinese)

Video

Cantonese ''erxian'' video
by Chu Yung

{{huqin

Chinese musical instruments
Huqin family instruments
Necked bowl lutes
Cantonese music