In ancient times, the guzheng belonged to the silk department, and its strings were made of silk. In fact, in the early days of guzheng, there were not only silk strings, but also materials such as chicken tendons (a type of bird), deer tendons, horsetails, and even bamboo skins, which were made of bamboo skins. These strings of different materials have appeared in ancient Chinese history. Later, it also developed into copper and steel strings. In addition, nylon-wound steel strings, which combine some of the charm of steel strings and some characteristics of silk strings, have become the most popular string system at present. What is the difference between the a string and the b string of the guzheng?

1. Different feel

Guzheng A-type strings have a looser feel and longer reverberation; while Guzheng B-type strings have a tighter feel and are more suitable for high-impact works;

2. Different thickness

Guzheng A-type strings are thinner and softer, and the timbre is crisp and thin; while Guzheng B-type strings are thicker and harder, and have a longer lasting flavor, which can better express the tune when played at high strength;

3. Different packaging

The characters on the packaging of Dunhuang Guzheng A-type strings are black; while the characters on the packaging of Dunhuang Guzheng B-type strings are red, and the B-type strings will be marked.