This instrument is loud and one yueqin can easily be heard over a full Chinese orchestra. This quality has made the yueqin an important instrument for use in Beijing opera music.The yuequin or yue quin, also known as the moon guitar is a traditional Chinese string instrument. The yue quin is a variety of lute with silk strings and was invented in China during the Jin Dynasty. It is used in the modern Beijing opera where the traditional silk strings are replaced by steel.
Yueqin
Asia
China

Instrument Information

Title

Yueqin (`Moon lute')

Alternative Title

Yueqin.; Box lute

Accession Number

0444

Collection

Reid Collection; MIMEd

Date Information

Date Made

Before 1888, probably before 1872; Pre 1872

Gallery Information

Gallery

Laigh Room

Case

Classical instruments display

Maker Information

No information recorded.

Made In

Country

China

Description

Technical Description

Circular box of light, unpolished `tung' wood, body diameter 373mm, depth 42mm; neck and hexagonal pegs of darker wood; 4 silk strings; 2 frets on fingerboard, 8 on soundboard (3x L:29, 2x L:37, 3x L:51); played with the fingers or a plectrum. Instrument was made probably before 1872, possibly before 1858. Specific libterature references: Probably to be identified with on of item 484d 'Two Yue-Kin' in Engel 1872; probably to be identified with one of the 'Two yue-kin (China) moon guitars' in Hipkins 1885. Previous ownership: Most likely one of the two 'Chinese kin' purchased by Professor John Donaldson for the Music Classroom, University of Edinburgh, from D. Nisbet, 25 March 1858 at a sale for 5/- and for 6/-.

Provenance

Possibly one of the two `Chinese kin' purchased by Professor John Donaldson for the Music Classroom, University of Edinburgh, from D. Nisbet, 25 March 1858 at a sale for 5/- and for 6/-.

Classification

Instrument

Yueqin

Instrument Family

Strings

Hornbostel Sachs Classification

musical instrument; 321.322.-5-6