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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing an Erhu (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Buyers)
Choosing an Erhu isn’t like buying a piece of furniture or a decorative item — it’s choosing the voice of your music. A good Erhu will inspire you, help you progress faster, and make playing more enjoyable. A poor-quality one, however, can hold you back so much that you start doubting your ability, when really, it’s the instrument’s fault.
I still remember my first Erhu when I started learning at 15. It was a simple, mediocre model — because like many families, we weren’t sure how long I’d stick with it. It played decently enough, but it felt sluggish. I had to work really hard with the bow to get a clean note, especially on the high registers where it always sounded scratchy and almost unbearable. I thought it was my technique. I tried adding more rosin, I practiced harder — but nothing solved it.
Then one day, I picked up a friend’s higher-end Erhu. Immediately, everything felt different. The bow grabbed the strings with ease, the tone was clearer, the high registers sounded clean. It was a lightbulb moment. That’s when I realized: not all Erhus are built equal. And choosing the right one is one of the most important decisions in your learning journey.
This guide is my attempt to create the most comprehensive online resource for choosing an Erhu — blending both technical explanations and my personal experience after decades of playing, teaching, and helping students find their instruments.
Why the Right Erhu Can Make or Break Your Learning Journey
The Erhu is already a challenging instrument. Unlike a guitar or piano, the Erhu doesn’t have frets or keys to guide you — your intonation and tone production rely almost entirely on skill. If you start on an unresponsive, scratchy instrument, you’ll never be sure if the problem is you or the Erhu.
A decent, well-set-up Erhu gives you two things:
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Clarity and motivation — you hear a pleasant tone when you play, which motivates you to keep practicing.
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Confidence in your technique — when you hit a clean note, you know it’s your skill improving, not luck.
This is why I often tell parents and beginners: don’t buy the cheapest Erhu just to “try it out.” An unplayable Erhu makes learning frustrating, and most people give up not because they couldn’t learn, but because the instrument held them back.
The 5 Core Factors You Should Consider Before Buying an Erhu
When I help customers choose Erhus, I always look at the same set of factors:
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Playability (responsiveness)
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Tone quality (sweetness, warmth, richness, volume, clarity, balance)
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Materials (wood and snakeskin)
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Price tiers (and what you actually get for the money)
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After-sales support and setup
Let’s go through each one in detail.
1. Playability: The “Feel” That Keeps You Playing
Responsiveness is how easily the Erhu produces a clean, clear tone.
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On a responsive Erhu, you bow gently and the sound comes out immediately — clean and full.
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On an unresponsive Erhu, you bow harder, fight with the strings, and still end up with scratchiness.
For beginners, responsiveness is critical. You don’t yet have the bow control of a professional, so you need an Erhu that “helps you out” instead of punishing every mistake.
For advancing players, responsiveness is not just about ease — it’s about control. A responsive Erhu lets you:
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Play dynamics from whisper-soft to powerful loud without the sound collapsing.
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Change tone color with subtle bow changes — tilt the bow slightly, adjust pressure, and the Erhu responds like a painter’s brush.
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Execute left-hand techniques like slides, trills, vibrato, and mordents with more clarity.
👉 Think of responsiveness like a bicycle:
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A responsive Erhu is like pedaling a well-oiled bike — smooth, instant, effortless.
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An unresponsive Erhu is like a rusty bike — you push harder and harder, but it resists you.
Quick Tip (for testing): Even if you’ve never played before, bow the open inner and outer strings. Then press one finger down and try again. If it feels like the sound comes out easily and doesn’t make you fight, that’s responsiveness.
Student story: Many times, I’ve had students bring in their old Erhu — struggling to get a clean tone. The moment they try a higher-responsiveness model, they’re shocked: “I didn’t know I could sound like this.” The difference is immediate and motivating.
2. Tone Quality: The Voice of Your Erhu
Tone is the personality of your Erhu. It’s like a human voice — some voices are warm and soothing, others are sharp and bright.
When customers try different Erhus, even beginners, they often feel that one sounds “nicer” than another, even if they can’t explain why. That’s because tone has both subjective flavours and objective traits.
Subjective flavours:
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Sweetness: Think of a singer like Teresa Teng — gentle, lyrical, almost honey-like. A sweet Erhu tone has that same soft charm. Too little sweetness and the sound feels hard; too much and it can lose boldness.
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Warmth: Like a cello compared to a bright violin. A warm tone feels rounded, mellow, as if it carries a natural echo or reverb. Guitarists would call this a “warm acoustic tone.”
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Richness: This is like espresso vs Americano. A rich Erhu tone is concentrated, bold, and full-bodied. A thin tone may have the notes, but it feels watered down.
Objective traits:
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Volume: How well it projects. Easy for anyone to hear — one Erhu is simply louder.
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Clarity of high notes: Are the upper registers clean and distinct, or scratchy and messy? I often test this with a 2.5-octave D scale or the piece Liang Xiao.
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Balance: Do the high registers sound as resonant as the lows, or do they drop off? In Liang Xiao, the second section really exposes this.
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Volume threshold: Can it handle strong bowing without the sound breaking? Beginners may not notice this, but soloists need it.
3. Materials: What Your Erhu is Made Of Matters More Than You Think
The two main materials that define an Erhu’s character are wood and snakeskin.
The Wood
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Rosewood: Sweet tone, good articulation. Quality varies widely. Young rosewood is light and often used in beginner Erhus. Aged rosewood has richer tone and better clarity. The most prized is Ming Qing rosewood, salvaged from antique furniture — dense, resonant, and articulate.
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Violet Sandalwood: More articulate, less sweet than rosewood. Common in mid- to high-range instruments.
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Black Sandalwood / Ebony: Heavier, producing a more mellow tone with less brightness.
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Indian Small Leaf Sandalwood: Rare, expensive, highly valued for rich, articulate tone.
The Snakeskin
The snakeskin acts as the Erhu’s “speaker cone.” Its tightness and thickness influence tone, playability, and lifespan.
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Taut snakeskin: Longer break-in, longer life. Initially the sound feels trapped inside, but with regular playing it opens up beautifully.
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Looser snakeskin: Easier to play right away, enjoyable sooner. But over time (5–10 years), it may sag, making the tone muddier.
I once sold an Indian small leaf sandalwood Erhu by Xu Chun Feng to a professional player. At first, the tone was rich but felt “trapped” — we could tell it had potential but it hadn’t opened up. He played it regularly in a professional orchestra, and a year later the change was astonishing: the sound had bloomed into something truly spectacular — rich, loud, with powerful projection. That’s the reward of patience with a taut snakeskin Erhu.
On the flip side, I’ve also seen Erhus that stay tight even after years — usually because they weren’t played enough. Break-in requires commitment.
Wild vs. Farmed Snakeskin — What You Should Know
One of the most common questions people ask is whether Erhus still use wild snakeskin. The short answer is: no.
Since 2005, China has required that all snakeskin used for Erhus must come from certified farm-raised pythons, not wild ones. This is part of both national wildlife protection laws and CITES (the international convention on endangered species).
Customs authorities in China have repeatedly seized Erhus suspected of containing wild snakeskin. Exporting or importing such instruments is considered illegal trade, and penalties can be severe.
Historically, wild snakeskin was prized for its density and elasticity. Many old masters believed it gave Erhus a more resonant and vibrant tone. But today, wild populations are protected, and makers rely exclusively on farmed snakeskin.
As for modern buying:
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All legal Erhus today use farmed snakeskin.
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Instruments advertised as “wild snakeskin” are either antiques, illegally traded, or mislabeled.
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If a wild-skin Erhu does exist, it’s usually an old collector’s item, not something available in the normal market. Its price is speculative and not part of the modern trade.
The key takeaway: when buying a new Erhu, you don’t need to worry about whether the skin is wild or farmed. By law, it will be farmed. What matters more is the thickness, tightness, and setup of the snakeskin — which we covered above.
4. Price Tiers: Understanding What You’re Paying For
Beginner ($200–$400):
Thin tone, less clarity, limited projection. Okay for starting out, but may hold you back long-term. Example: Eason Black Rosewood Erhu by Liu Ji Feng. It’s responsive enough for beginners to get a clean tone without struggling.
Intermediate ($500–$1,200):
Balanced tone, better articulation, stronger projection. Excellent for committed beginners and intermediates. Example: Concert Aged Rosewood Erhu by Wan Qi Xing. Great for school orchestras and graded exams.
Professional ($1,300+):
Rich, clear, nuanced, with superior projection. Crafted for soloists and advanced players. Example: Concert Premium Aged Rosewood Erhu by Hu Han Rou. Designed for power, nuance, and stage performance.
💡 Honesty Note: You don’t need to take a loan or dip into your retirement fund to buy an Erhu. There is always a model that works within your budget. If you have spare resources, we’ll gladly help you find a premium one — but never at the cost of financial strain.
Customer Story: A gentleman once came in thinking he had to spend $1,000 to get a decent Erhu. I guided him through different options and he left happily with a $650 Erhu that fit him perfectly.
| Category | Beginner Erhus | Intermediate Erhus | Professional Erhus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $200 – $400 | $500 – $1,200 | $1,300+ |
| Tone | Thinner, less clarity, limited projection | Balanced, clearer articulation, stronger projection | Rich, clear, powerful, highly nuanced |
| Playability | Easy enough for casual use but may hold back progress if too cheap | Designed to grow with you — responsive and easier to control dynamics | Highly responsive, allows full control of dynamics and tone colours |
| Best For | Casual beginners or those “trying it out” | Committed beginners, intermediate players, school orchestra members, exam students | Advanced students, soloists, professional performers |
| Materials | Basic rosewood or younger woods, average snakeskin | Aged rosewood, violet sandalwood, better-quality snakeskin | Premium rosewood (Ming Qing), Indian small leaf sandalwood, carefully selected taut snakeskin |
| Projection | Limited — suitable for practice at home | Stronger — good for ensemble/orchestra | Excellent — built for stage performance |
| Recommended Collection | Beginner Erhu Collection | Intermediate Erhu Collection | Professional Erhu Collection |
A Quick Word on Budget and Honesty
I’ll be honest with you — I don’t want you taking a loan to buy a high-end Erhu.
I don’t want you dipping into your retirement savings for it either.
There’s always an Erhu at a lower price point that can still work for you.
If you’re just starting out or your budget is tight, we can help you find something that plays well, sounds good, and won’t leave you worrying about your finances.
On the other hand, if you do have the financial resources or spare cash and want something special, we’ll be glad to help you get an Erhu that truly suits you — and make sure you never overpay for it.
Our goal isn’t to squeeze every last drop from your wallet.
It’s to make sure you get the right instrument for your needs, one that you’ll enjoy for years.
5. Setup & After-Sales Support: The Hidden Factor That Changes Everything
Two identical Erhus can sound completely different if one is poorly set up.
String height, bridge position, bow hair tension — all these details matter.
That’s why buying from a shop that plays, sets up, and supports the Erhus they sell is crucial. At Eason Music, every Erhu leaves our shop adjusted for optimal sound, and we back it with a one-year warranty for manufacturing defects. We even offer free adjustments if something feels off later.
Advice for Different Types of Buyers
For Beginners
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Prioritise ease of playing. If you can get a nice sound quickly, you’ll be more motivated to practice.
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If your budget allows, start mid-range or higher for better tone.
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Avoid the trap of buying the cheapest Erhu “just to try.” A poor instrument can make you quit before you even start.
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Common mistakes: buying too cheap, judging by looks instead of sound, or asking for a “new piece” when the tested one was already the best-sounding.
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If you’re just starting out, take a look at our Beginner Erhu Collection. Every instrument here is carefully set up so you can get a clean sound quickly and stay motivated.
For Intermediate Players
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Upgrade to something that’s clearly better than what you have now — whether in tone, articulation, or projection.
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If joining an orchestra or taking graded exams, prioritise articulation and clarity so your playing can be heard clearly.
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Look for Erhus with good articulation for fast passages. Muddy Erhus will make quick notes blur together.
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If you’re upgrading for orchestra, exams, or simply better articulation, browse our Intermediate Erhu Collection. These ‘step-up’ instruments offer clearer tone and better projection.
For Advanced Players / Soloists
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Look for articulation, dynamic range, and tonal control.
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Test with your own repertoire — loud, soft, high notes, fast runs, string balance.
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Makers to look for: Hu Han Rou, Yu Kai Ming, Xu Chun Feng.
For Parents Buying for Kids
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Erhus are standard size; we simply adjust the qianjin for small hands.
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Since they won’t outgrow it, it’s worth investing in quality from the start.
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If unsure of long-term interest, choose a decent mid-range model to keep options open.
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A better-sounding Erhu motivates children more — no one likes sounding scratchy every time they play.
How to Test an Erhu (In-Shop or Online)
Common Mistakes Buyers Make:
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Being impressed by a salesperson’s loud demo.
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Believing hype about “rare wood” or “special snakeskin.”
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Paying for “freebies” that are overpriced and unnecessary.
In person:
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Listen — have a staff member play if you can’t yet.
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Feel — even open strings can tell you about responsiveness.
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Check — inner/outer string balance, high notes, projection.
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I often test clarity by playing a D scale up to 2.5 octaves.
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Liang Xiao is another piece that really shows whether an Erhu can handle its high registers.
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Online:
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Watch demo videos.
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You can compare models directly on our Erhu Collection page, and request demos of specific instruments before deciding.
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For high-end models, book a live Zoom demo.
Final Word: Don’t Just Buy an Erhu… Find Your Erhu
An Erhu isn’t just a purchase — it’s a partner in your musical journey.
Choose one that motivates you to play, feels comfortable in your hands, and speaks with a voice you love.
At Eason Music, we match you to the right instrument, set it up for peak performance, and support you long after you’ve taken it home. That way, your Erhu will be ready to sing beautifully from the very first note.
Ready to explore? Start with our full Erhu Collection to see everything from beginner-friendly to concert-ready instruments.
