CHAO TIAN MUSIC

The Chinese dulcimer is a percussion-stringed instrument. It originated from Europe by the 16th century. Then it was introduced to southern coastal China through trade with the Middle East, and it was well adopted by the Chinese. The word dulcimer is derived from the Latin word ‘Dulcis’ (sweet) and the Greek word ‘Melos’ (song). The Chinese dulcimer is also called Yangqin (pronounced "yahng-cheen"). The most common model consists of 147 steel strings, and its hammers are made of flexible bamboo with a thin layer of rubber on the head.