Yangqin
The yangqin is a Chinese zither. Many historians believe that the instrument made its way to China through the Silk Route. The Silk Route was an ancient network of trade routes that connected across over 5,000 miles from China to the Middle East. A majority of the items in trade from this route included silk products, thus giving it the name “Silk Route”. The trade route contributed heavily to the growth of civilization in China. It is believed that, if the zither was introduced by land from another region, it was from the Persians. The Persians had a similar dulcimer instrument in ancient times that many believe was the origin of the yangqin. However, other historians have different theories of the introduction of the instrument in China, including that the Chinese people created the instrument without any kind of outside influence or introduction. Older versions of the instrument were made with silk strings and bamboo—giving it a soft timbre and a smoother sound. Newer versions ...