Artwork Page for Moon Lute (Yueqin)

Details / Information for Moon Lute (Yueqin)

Moon Lute (Yueqin)

月琴

1800s

China, Qing dynasty

(1644-1911)
Medium
Rosewood, wutong (paulownia) wood, and gut
Measurements
58.4 x 35.6 cm (23 x 14 in.)
Credit Line
The Charles G. King Jr. collection; Gift of Ralph King in memory of Charles G. King Jr. 1918.382
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Description

Its resemblance to the full moon (yue 月) gives the yueqin its name. Found in popular ensembles, the Beijing and folk (jingxi) operas and used to accompany song, the yueqin has only recently been embraced by the modern Chinese orchestra. The player presses the strings between the frets making chord playing difficult but giving increased control over the timbre and intonation. Strings are plucked with fingernails or a pick using up-and-down strokes and tremolo techniques that sustain and provide color to a tone. It is known as gekkin in Japan.
A circular, dark reddish-brown wood body displays a deep, rippling grain. A short neck extends upward, meeting four oversized, diamond-shaped tuning pegs that jut outward. Four strings stretch vertically over thin, horizontal frets, eventually anchoring into a dark, semi-circular tailpiece at the body's base. The instrument's form transitions from the expansive, flat face to the sharp, angular geometry of the headstock, balancing organic textures with structured, linear elements.

Moon Lute (Yueqin)

1800s

China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)

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