Also termed liu ye qin (willow leaf instrument), tu pipa, or jin gang tui, the liuqin looks like a small pipa and is known for its highly penetrative sounds in the Chinese orchestra.  With a history dating more than a hundred years, the liuqin is the main accompanying instrument for folk operas.

This folk instrument was reformed in 1958 and incorporated into the Chinese Orchestra. Before its reformation, the instrument had only two or three strings. It had no more than seven frets and it produced rough folk sounds when played. The reformation produced an instrument that had a larger base, three strings and 24 frets.  A fourth string and four more frets were added later. A fine tuner was added at the base of the instrument to allow greater precision while tuning; a stand could also be added at the instrument’s side to prop and stabilise it while playing.

The liuqin is played with a plectrum. Its original silk strings have been replaced with steel ones, amplifying the liuqin’s volume and giving the instrument its characteristic metallic high pitches. Capable of producing penetrating sounds, the liuqin is not easily overwhelmed by other orchestral instruments.

The liuqin was developed primarily to fill the gap of sound left by inadequate high pitches from the plucked stringed section (the orchestra’s only other higher pitched plucked string instrument was the pipa, and it is considered more of an alto instrument than a soprano one).  Considered one of the more successful reformed instruments, the modification of the liuqin has raised the level of the liuqin’s performing technical capabilities and strengthened its showmanship. 

Today, the liuqin is a core soprano instrument in Chinese orchestras.  Adept at playing fast, passionate and carefree pieces, the instrument is growing slowly in repertoire and technique.