YUEH-CH'IN

also called la ch'in, Pinyin yueqin, or laqin, also called moon guitar Chinese lute, one of a family of flat, round-bodied lutes found in Central and East Asia. It was invented, according to tradition, during the Chin dynasty (AD 265420). It has two pairs of silk strings, tuned (in relative pitch) to cg, which run from a fastener on the wooden belly to tuning pegs set in the sides of the pegbox. A metal plate is hung inside the body, vibrating against it when the instrument is played. The yeh-ch'in is frequently found in Chinese opera orchestras. Its precursor, the ya cheng (yazheng) was bowed with a friction sticka sorghum stem dusted with resin.