The pipa was introduced to China from the west, via the ancient Silk Road, and was popular in Qiuci (today's Kuche in Xinjiang), Yutian and Shule during the Han and Wei Dynasties (206 B.C.— 265 A.D.). Later on, musicans from the western regions brought the instrurnent to the central plains. Its name originates from two kinds of playing, pi is played from the left front and pa plucked from the rear right. Pipa has become an important stringed instrument in China. It is a four-stringed musical instrument plucked with capped fingers or a plectrum. The diapason is broad, the tone crisp and bright. It is often played as a solo instrument, in ensembles or as accompaniment for local operas and folk arts.
