The guzheng (also called the zheng) is a long, plucked zither. Unlike the qin and the se, whose strings are of silk, the zheng's metal strings are tuned with pegs located on the top board. It is described as smaller and higher pitched than other East Asian zithers. It has been used for home entertainment, in folk music and in court ensembles, and has been associated with romantic subjects.
instrument
Guzheng
古筝
A long plucked Chinese zither with metal strings tuned by pegs on the top board, used for home entertainment, folk music and court ensembles.
- Type
- instrument
- Also known as
- zheng, 古筝
- Updated
- 2026-10-13
- plucked
- zither
- metal strings
Documented characteristics
- Instrument family
- Zither
- How sound is produced
- Plucked
- Strings
- Metal strings, tuned with pegs located on the top board
- Structure
- A long wooden body; the strings pass over a bridge, and tuning pegs sit on the top board
- Playing method
- Plucked with the right hand while the left hand manipulates the strings to the left of the bridge
- Sound
- Described as smaller and higher pitched than other East Asian zithers
- Typical context
- Home entertainment, folk music and court ensembles
Fields with no verified source are omitted rather than filled in. See the sources below.
Related knowledge
- Related to
Guqin (古琴)
Both are Chinese zithers and are frequently compared; the zheng uses metal strings tuned with pegs on the top board, while the qin uses strings of twisted silk.
Sources for this entry
The Metropolitan Museum of Art · museum
Supports:
- The zheng's metal strings and top-board tuning pegs, contrasted with the silk strings of the qin and se
- The zheng's size and higher pitch relative to other East Asian zithers
- Nineteenth-century playing: right-hand fingernails plucking while the left hand manipulates the strings to the left of the bridge
- Contexts: home entertainment, folk music and court ensembles