Plucked String Instrument

Plucked stringed instruments can be divided into two categories:

The horizontal, which include the zheng, guqin, yangqin, etc.;

The vertical, which include the pipa, ruan, yueqin, sanxian etc.

Most of them are distinguished by their bright and clear sounds. Plucking techniques are diversified so that the player can pluck by either the right index finger tip, without an artificial nail, or a plectrum. Techniques such as flicking, flipping, rolling, turning, picking, rubbing, knocking, sweeping, whisking, parting, plucking, patting, and lifting are commonly adopted.