Zheng

K'ai -Sheng Shop

19th century · Wood · Musical Instruments

The metal strings of the zheng, unlike silk ones on the qin and se, are tuned with pegs located on the top board. Smaller than other East Asian zithers and higher pitched, it has been used for home entertainment, in folk music, in court ensembles, and has been associated with romantic subjects. In the 19th century it was plucked with the fingernails of the right hand while the left hand manipulated the strings to the left of the bridge. Today there are several playing styles. In one, from southern Chaozhou, picks are placed on the fingers of the right hand, the fleshy part of the fingertip being reserved to produce special effects. The modern instrument is larger and has pegs concealed under a cap at its head.

Artist

K'ai -Sheng Shop

Date

19th century

Medium

Wood

Culture

Chinese

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889