The Guqin

Recently I've fell in love for a type of traditional Chinese instrument called the Gu qin. I discovered that the sound of the strings played on the instrument gives you a very pleasant hum, and if u has good ears, u can hear the distinct layers of humming. So far I only have the opportunity to hear just a handful of western instrument which sounded as nice, and the price tag for the western instrument is well in the million regions.

Many people I know got misconception that the Gu qin is the Gu zhen, but actually Gu zhen is evolved from the Gu qin. The history of the instrument is almost as old as the Chinese history, 5000 yrs old. It first appear in Chinese literature 3000 yrs ago and the oldest instrument is already 2500 yrs old, walao eh~ @_@"

It only has 7 strings and the instrument has a sound range of 4 octaves and has 91 indicated harmonics. It also possible to have extended harmonics because it dun has frets like guitar does. It is proven that the wave produced by the Gu qin matches the... =_=" dunno wat gamma brain wave. That's why last time the Tao ppl use them for meditation; not for killing like in KungFu Hustle :p

Sometimes when I'm in the mood, I will play some online music on my computer, and it will drive my room-mate up the wall :). I actually didn't think the instrument can sound so nice one cos I thought the finger is pressing the string, how can it produce sound? I thought it will sound like *thumb* *thumb* only XD. haha.

Here I upload a link if u are interested for some Gu qin info and sample music I am hearing. Hope u will like it.

Music: http://www.chineseculture.net/guqin/qinmusic.htm

Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guqin