The Pipa: An Ancient Instrument

Christa Knell                            The Pipa: 4 Strings To A Beautiful Sound                     2/5/11

         The Qin dynasty did not last very long (221 BC- 206 BC), but in those 15 years a musical instrument called the pipa was created. The pipa is a four stringed instrument with a unique wooden pear shaped body. The way to play the pipa is to pluck it’s strings, it sounds similar to a lute. The pipa represents many different Chinese symbols. The four strings represents the four seasons (winter, spring, summer and fall). Also the instruments length, which is 3 feet and 5 inches long, represents the 3 realms (heaven, earth and man) and the 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water).

         The pipa was very popular during the Qin dynasty. There had been many different instruments similar to the pipa, like the xiantao. During the Qin dynasty it has been said that they played the pipa and the xiantao to workers, while working on the Great Wall of China. The pipa is normally a solo instrument and was used a lot in traditional and folk music.

         Both photos are from: http://www.philmultic.com/pipa/

                      Qin Pipa                                                                               Modern Pipa