In the history of China, pipa has two kinds: round horn and semi-pear-shaped horn. According to legend, the pipa with a round horn was strung on the Liao drum (playing the Lang drum) and changed to a plucked instrument in the Qin Dynasty, which was later called Qin Pipa. In Han dynasty, it was shaped as 4 strings 12, and it was plucked by hand. In the Han Dynasty, Princess You Jie brought it to the Western Regions, also known as the Han Pipa. Ruan Xian in Jin Dynasty was famous for playing this instrument, and later generations also called Ruan Xian Pipa, or Ruan for short. Qin Qin, Yueqin, Sanxian and Shuangqing all belong to this system. Pipa with a semi-pear-shaped speaker was introduced from India in the 4th century. Bend the neck, there are four phases on the neck, and play with a pick. In order to distinguish it from the round pipa with straight handle in China at that time, it was named Qujing Pipa. Because of its introduction, it is also called Qiuci Pipa. Five-string, six-string, two-string pipa (Lei Hu) and fire thinking all belong to this system. After the Song Dynasty, the curved-necked pipa was named Pipa, and the Chinese pipa was named Ruanxian.
During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the pipa with curved neck was very popular. By the Ming Dynasty, it had developed into four phases with nine grades, from 10 in the early 9th century to 12 in the early 20th century, and the scope was expanded to three octaves. The playing method is also changed from horizontal playing to vertical playing, and five fingers are used instead of plucking, which expands the playing technique and expressive force of this instrument. In the early 1930s, 6-phase 18 was added, and now it is 6-phase 25 with complete semitone. It is widely used for accompaniment of songs, dances, folk arts and operas, as well as instrumental ensemble, ensemble and solo.
Pipa solo is divided into Daqu and Xiaoqu. Daqu, also known as Daqu, is mostly a compact organic whole or a combination of Xiaoqu in multi-stage form. There are differences between literature and Daqu creation. Beautiful and elegant styles, such as "Sunset Flute and Drum" and "Autumn Moon in Han Palace"; Martial arts are heroic, such as House of Flying Daggers and Swan in the Sea. Xiaoqu, also known as Momo, usually has a 68-disc structure.