First described in Song Dynasty (A.D. 420-479), the Erhu is an ancient instrument which is extremely popular in China today as a medium for both traditional and contemporary music. Consisting of a drum-like mahogany sound box covered with a snake skin head, two steel strings stretched from the sound box along a narrow bridge, sound is generated by a horse hair bamboo bow. The Erhu's musical range spans about four octaves, and while the sound is very similar to a Western violin, it differs by being much more nasal in quality. Because there is no fingerboard against which the player can press, finger pressure is a critical part of Erhu technique. Assuming this aspect of Erhu playing is mastered, the lack of a finger board actually allows for a tremendous flexibility for the Erhu player in controlling the sound and expressiveness of this instrument - a flexibility approaching that of the human voice.

Erhu bridge is one of the most important parts on the erhu which directly affects your erhu sound. These special hand made bridges are based on George Gao's design and the wood materail is carefully selected.

Erhu strings are made from steel, there are two strings in a set.

Zhonghu is a lager sized erhu tuned a fifth below, it is considered as the viola of the huqin family. Zhonghu is mostly used in Chinese orchestras and small ensembles, there are also a few modern Zhonghu solo pieces available.

Gaohu is a higher pitched erhu, it’s mostly used in Cantonese opera and Cantonese music. Today, gaohu is also used in Chinese orchestras as high pitched strings.

Instead of snake skin and mahogany, banhu's sound box is made from wood and coconut shell. It sounds bright and harsh. It is a typical Chinese operatic instrument indispensable in many northern Chinese music styles.

Sheng, a reed pipe wind instrument, came into use during Yin Dynasty, the later period of the Shang Dynasty (C. 16th-11th century B.C.). It is the wind instrument that the sound can be produced by the action of breathing in and out alternatively. The action is aimed, on one hand, at vibrating the reeds to produce sound by breathing air, on the other hand, at making the sound produce much louder and clearer by air resonance in reed pipe; further more, the reed pipe is made up in accordance with Fourth, fifth and octave, and therefore, it can be produced both melodiously and harmoniously.

Dizi, Chinese flute, is made of bamboo, with one hole for blowing, six holes for fingering and covered with a piece of bamboo membrane. The timbre color of dizi is crisp and clear, full of vitality.

Bawu has eight holes, can produce eight to eleven notes. It is a very popular instrument in Yi, Dai(Tai), Miao and Han nationalities in China. The timbre is gentle, soft, nasal and mysterious.

The word Pi-Pa derived from the sound produced by the instrument. Among the people during Qin Dynasty (221-207 B.C.), an instrument called "Xian Tao" (drum with a handle) was very popular, later during Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589), this instrument was combined with "pipa" from "Xi Yu" which had crooked neck. Today's pipa has 6 xiangs and 24 pings. Pipa has a magnificent tone colour, it is very expressive.

Guzheng, usually being explained as a Chinese version of harp because of it's characteristic glissando technique, is believed to be the grandfather of Japanese koto and Korean kayagum, it is probably one of the oldest plucked instruments in Asia. The performer uses the right hand to pluck the strings, with the left hand pressing the string on the left side of the bridge to produce vibrato, pitch alterations or slides.

Liu qin, wood lute with leaf shape, is a very popular solo instrument. In Chinese orchestras, it is the treble voice in plucked string section. Played with a pick, the sound of the instrument is crisp and hearty. Traditionally, we can hear Liu qin in Liu qin opera, Sizhow opera, etc.

Ruan came into use in the Han Dynasty (A.D. 140-87 B.C.), was called "Yuan Xian". Zhongruan and daruan are mostly used as bass instruments in plucked string section in modern Chinese orchestra. The timber of ruans are very soft and gentle.

Daruan is a lager sized zhongruan tuned a fifth below.

Ban is the Chinese version of wood block, used in al kinds of music ensembles, especially in traditional Chinese operas. Also, it is a necessity in traditional Chinese symphony orchestras

Shougu, Chinese hand drum, is regarded as one of the major instruments played in folk music and dancing. The timbre range of the Shougu is very wide, it is a very expressive percussion instrument.