erhu (two-stringed bowed instrument)

The erhu is a traditional Chinese two-stringed bowed instrument known for its expressive sound. It features a long wooden neck and a small, resonant soundbox typically covered with snake skin. Played upright, the musician uses a bow strung with horsehair to vibrate the strings, which are stopped with fingers on the neck to produce different pitches. The erhu's versatile tone can mimic human singing and evoke a wide range of emotions, making it a key instrument in Chinese classical, folk, and contemporary music. Its simplicity in design belies its rich, nuanced sound.