What is an Erhu? (And other 1 or 2 string bowed instrument)

The Erhu seems like such a simple instrument, but the sound is complex and haunting.  Very pretty.



How to play the Erhu from a western perspective



My life is full right now, but maybe one day it would be fun to learn to play, and maybe even make a erhu

Not familiar with this instrument, but it looks like another member of the big extended family of two-string "spike fiddles" that you tend to find in all the lands that Persian and Arabic culture influenced over the years. The video reminded me of learning to play the rebab, which is the Javanese version...my first attempts were almost enough to make me want earplugs for myself, not to mention everyone else in the room.

There are more instruments like this?  That's exciting. I know what I'm doing for the rest of today.  Anywhere I should start first?

Java:



Turkiye:



Andalusia:




These last two examples probably aren't derived from Muslim influence, but different types of the instrument show up all over Asia.

Hunza (xhigini):



Mongolia:

Tuvan Igil—I saw this and loved the instrument, and the way the musician gets lost in the playing while teaching at the same time. He also uses it to imitate animals, and talks about the symbolism of things like holding the bow with the palm facing upward.

This was very interesting tips and tricks for setting up the instrument.

Like how the break (whatever the string thingy is that acts like the nut) is adjustable to match the body of the player.  The placement the floating bridge has influences sound, even 1mm difference can have a huge effect.   Things like that which can also be seen on other instruments and maybe applied when designing our own.