This manual is written for composers interested in writing music for the erhu. If you are quoting any of the text or graphics on other web sites, please credit this webpage as the source and Lan Tung as the author, and have a link to this page. thanks
Lan Tung, May 10, 2012 (last update Nov 2015)
Tuning & Range 定弦及音域
erhu tuningThe strings are tuned to D4 (next to the middle C) and A4 (one 5th higher). The D string is called the inside string because it is closer to the player. The A string is called the outside string.
erhu rangeOn the A string, the best tone is produced from the open string (A4) up to about 1.5 octaves, reaching E6. The notes higher than E6 (up to around G6 or A6) are used as well, but it’s harder to control in this register. The volume is much softer in the higher register than the lower register. In general, the bow needs to move a lot faster to produce the tone. The “white noise” of the bow hair and stick robbing against the sound box becomes audible during quieter passages.
On the D string, it is generally good for one octave. The notes above one octave does not speak well.