The guqin (古琴) is a seven-string musical instrument, which is placed horizontally in front of you on a table and is played with two hands.
A guqin in Kaifeng, Henan province, China. It can be easily confused with the guzheng, but that instrument has over 20 strings. The guqin is usually played solo, but it can also be played in a (small) orchestra.
Learning Guqin
My wife has been playing the Guqin for many years and has taken lessons in Weimar, Germany. She also teaches beginning students from home with private Guqin lessons.
Buying a guqin
Prices range from ~300 euro (~2000 RMB) up to tens of thousands of euros. Some ancient instruments are priceless:
We found this guqin instrument in Henan Museum (Zhengzhou). It dates back to the Song Dynasty (960–1279). In the background you can see a painting from Emperor Huizong.