Name of Instrument: sheng

Maker / Brand:

Stearns Catalog #: 1984

Country of Origin: China

Region of Origin: Asia

Instrument Category: Aerophone

Date of Fabrication: 19th century

Location: AER Q 5

Description: The Sheng has been in use for over 2,000 years in China; it is the predecessor of the Western reed organ, harmonica, and accordion. It has seventeen tubes that join at a dark brown metal gourd with mouth extension. The amount of breath used determines the pitches sounded. Fourteen of the pipes have a small circular at the the base of the pipe to control the pitches produced. A piece of bamboo is wrapped around the midpoint of the pipes. This instrument is similar to Stearns #0704 and #0705.

Research: Stearns Staff