Erhu

The erhu is a traditional Chinese two-stringed bowed musical instrument, often called the "Chinese violin." It consists of a wooden sound box covered with snake or python skin, with two strings stretched vertically over it. The musician plays by bowing the strings with a horsehair bow, creating expressive, vocal-like sounds. The erhu is valued for its rich tone and versatility, capable of conveying a wide range of emotions, from mournful melodies to lively tunes, and is commonly used in Chinese classical music, folk music, and contemporary compositions.