The zheng or guzheng, is a Chinese plucked zither. The modern guzheng commonly has 21, 25, or 26 strings, is 64 inches long, and is tuned in a major pentatonic scale. It has a large, resonant soundboard made from Paulownia wood. Other components are often made from other woods for structural or decorative reasons. Guzheng players often wear a fingerpick made from materials such as plastic, resin, tortoiseshell, or ivory on one or both hands.
Guzheng display at "The NAMM Show" 2020
Ensemble of musician figurines, with three Zheng players; 2nd century BCE, from Mawangdui tomb
Woman playing guzheng in Taipei (2010).
Guzheng in a Chinese New Year celebration (2016) in Dublin, Ireland.
Zithers are a class of stringed instruments. Historically, it could be any instrument of the psaltery family. In modern terminology, it is more specifically an instrument consisting of many strings stretched across a thin, flat body, the topic of this article.
Different concert zithers
Plate. The Romance of the Western Chamber. In a scene from a popular play, the heroine is shown in contemplation, playing her zither. From China, Qing Dynasty, 18th century CE. National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
Chinese guqin with seven strings
Alpine Scheitholt
