Kouxian

5-leafed Kouxian.

Kouxian (Chinese: 口弦; pinyin: kǒuxián) is the Chinese generic term for the jaw harp, and as such is used to refer to all such instruments originating in China. In the Chinese language, however, the term is used to refer to all jaw harps, whether from China or elsewhere.

The kouxian, which likely originated in Asia, is used throughout China, and is particularly popular among non-Han ethnic groups living in China's southwest (including Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guizhou). Each of these ethnic groups has its own name for the instrument in that ethnic group's own language. Such names include ho-hos. Kouxian may be made from bamboo or metal, and are often used as a courting instrument.

One variety of kouxian consists of between one and five brass leaves which are plucked in front of the opened mouth, using the mouth as a resonance chamber. Each leaf produces a different pitched sound when plucked, and the pitches are further refined by changing the volume and shape of the oral cavity. Leaves may be plucked one at a time or many at once to produce synthesizer-like melody. Many three leaved kouxian are tuned root, minor third, fourth: the first three notes of the minor and blues minor pentatonic scales.

See also

• Jaw harp
• Đàn môi

External links

Video

• "Chinese KOU XIAN Jew's Harp by TRAN QUANG HAI", YouTube.com.