PAN-HU

Pinyin Banhu, bowed-string instrument of China, especially popular in the northern regions. The bow is threaded between the two strings, which are stretched over a small bamboo bridge resting on a wooden soundboard. It is played in an upright position, and bowing is done close to the top of the resonator. A soprano version tuned a fifth apart and an alto version tuned a fourth apart are popular. The performance of the pan-hu is characterized by frequent use of rapid separate bowing and glissandos.