The Ruan (阮) ，known as the “Eastern Guitar“，is a traditional Chinese stringed instrument, abbreviated from Ruan Xian (阮咸). It is said that during the Western Jin Dynasty, Ruan Xian was skilled at playing this instrument, hence the name. The instrument has four strings and twelve frets. It originated in the Tang Dynasty and became widely popular among the people during the Yuan Dynasty. It features a broad range and rich expressiveness.
The term Ruan can also refer to the long-necked pipa, which differs from the pipa that came from the ancient Kucha region with its curved neck. Ruan Xian, one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove during the Western Jin, was known for playing the pipa well. In the Tang Dynasty, a bronze pipa was unearthed from Ruan Xian’s tomb during the Kaiyuan era and was named “Ruan Xian,” often shortened to “Ruan.” The structure of the instrument consists of a straight neck, a wooden circular resonator, four strings, and twelve frets, played with the instrument held vertically and plucked with the fingers.
During the Tang Dynasty, the pipa was also used as a military signaling instrument, leading to the saying “wishing to drink, the pipa urges the horse forward.”
In modern China, the Ruan family of instruments has evolved and includes a variety of sizes, such as the Gaoyin Ruan(high-pitched Ruan), Xiao Ruan (small Ruan), Zhong Ruan (medium Ruan), Da Ruan (large Ruan), and Diyin Ruan (low-pitched Ruan). The high-pitched Ruan has been used in Hong Kong’s Chinese orchestras as a replacement for the Liuqinas the high-pitched plucked instrument, while the Zhong Ruan and Da Ruan are commonly used as the middle and low-pitched plucked instruments in Chinese orchestras.
The Ruan has a round resonator, twelve frets, and four strings, and is played with a plectrum or artificial fingernail. It can be used for solo performances, ensemble performances, as accompaniment for song and dance, or in folk music ensembles, showcasing a wide range of artistic expression.
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