11 Facts About Pipa

Pipa, pipa, or p'i-p'a is a traditional Chinese musical instrument, belonging to the plucked category of instruments.

Pipa is one of the most popular Chinese instruments and has been played for almost two thousand years in China.

Pipa acquired a number of Chinese symbolisms during the Han dynasty - the instrument length of three feet five inches represents the three realms and the five elements, while the four strings represent the four seasons.

Pipa reached a height of popularity during the Tang dynasty, and was a principal musical instrument in the imperial court.

Pipa is held in a vertical or near-vertical position during performance, although in the early periods the instrument was held in the horizontal position or near-horizontal with the neck pointing slightly downwards, or upside down.

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Pipa has been played solo, or as part of a large ensemble or small group since the early times.

Pipa is an important component of regional chamber ensemble traditions such as Jiangnan sizhu, Teochew string music and Nanguan ensemble.

Pipa premiered the oldest Dunhuang Pipa Manuscript in Shanghai in the early 1980s.

The 5 String Pipa is tuned like a Standard Pipa with the addition of an Extra Bass String tuned to an E2 which broadens the range .

Pipa has been used in rock music; the California-based band Incubus featured one, borrowed from guitarist Steve Vai, in their 2001 song "Aqueous Transmission, " as played by the group's guitarist, Mike Einziger.

Pipa was the first musician to add a strap to the instrument, as he did for the zhongruan, allowing him to play the pipa and the zhongruan like a guitar.