What is the zhonghu? 中胡是什么？
The zhonghu (中胡, “middle huqin”) is the alto member of the huqin family of Chinese bowed instruments, often called the alto erhu. It looks like an erhu but has a larger snakeskin-covered body and thicker strings, giving a deep, mellow tone. It was developed in the mid-20th century to fill the middle voice of the modern Chinese orchestra, a role much like the viola’s.
中胡是胡琴家族中的中音乐器，常被称为“中音二胡”。外形和二胡相似，但琴筒更大、琴弦更粗，音色浑厚柔和。中胡在二十世纪中期为现代民族乐队的中音声部而发展起来，作用类似西洋乐队中的中提琴。
How is the zhonghu tuned? 中胡怎么定弦？
The inner string (内弦) is G3 and the outer string (外弦) is D4, a perfect fifth below the erhu’s D4 and A4, and the same notes as the violin’s G and D strings. Some players and orchestras tune it to A and E instead. Players name each key by the open strings in jianpu: on zhonghu 1=G is 15弦, 1=C is 52弦, 1=D is 41弦, 1=F is 26弦 and 1=B♭ is 63弦.
中胡内弦为 G3，外弦为 D4，比二胡（D4、A4）低纯五度，和小提琴的 G、D 两根弦音高相同；也有乐队定为 A、E。按空弦在简谱中的音称呼各调：中胡 G调为15弦，C调为52弦，D调为41弦，F调为26弦，降B调为63弦。
Can an erhu player play the zhonghu? 拉二胡的人能拉中胡吗？
Yes. The finger patterns are the same, just a fifth lower: a zhonghu tune in 1=G (15弦) uses the same fingering as an erhu tune in 1=D (15弦). The bigger instrument needs a little wider finger spacing and a heavier bow stroke.
可以。指法一样，只是低了五度：中胡 G调（15弦）和二胡 D调（15弦）的指法相同。中胡琴身较大，手指间距要稍宽，运弓要更沉。
Can I play zhonghu music on the violin or viola? 中胡曲可以用小提琴或中提琴拉吗？
Yes. The zhonghu’s G and D strings are the same notes as the violin’s and viola’s G and D strings, so its melodies fit naturally on either instrument. Aria’s Violin Studio in Pakuranga, Auckland teaches one-to-one violin lessons built around the music each student wants to play.
可以。中胡的 G、D 两根弦和小提琴、中提琴的 G、D 弦音高相同，中胡旋律都能自然地用它们演奏。Aria’s Violin Studio 在奥克兰 Pakuranga 提供一对一小提琴课，课程根据学生想拉的音乐来安排。