Guzheng & Chinese Folk Music Lesson

Cultural context

Chinese folk music (民乐) spans thousands of years and instruments like the guzheng, erhu, and pipa. The guzheng’s rippling, water-like tones have long evoked landscapes and feeling in the Chinese imagination.

What you'll do

1. 0:00

   Meet the guzheng: tuning, finger picks, and posture.

2. 0:30

   Learn basic plucking and glissando techniques.

3. 1:00

   Play a simple, recognizable folk tune end to end.

Etiquette tips

• ✓Keep nails or finger picks ready — the strings need them.
• ✓Relax the wrist; the sound comes from release, not force.

Good to know