The four hus of the Yi nationality are bow-drawn strings and musical instruments. Compared with the Han and Mongolian Sihus, the size is smaller and the sound is crisp and bright. Popular in Chuxiong, Yongren and other places in Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province.

The shape of the Yi Sihu is similar to the Jinghu. The qin tube is cylindrical, mostly made of a bamboo tube with transparent ends. The tube is 11.5 cm long and 6 cm in diameter. The front of the tube is covered with sheepskin or python skin. The rear end of the barrel is open.

The qin pole is made of bamboo, which is mostly made of phoenix-tailed bamboo in the local area, with a total length of 60 cm. The headstock is flat with no decoration, and the upper end is equidistant and horizontal with four axes. The pegs are made of wood, conical, 13 cm long, with straight petals engraved on the outside of the shank. There are silk strings in the middle of the piano bar, and a wooden or bamboo bridge-shaped bridge is placed in the center of the leather surface. Zhang four silk strings. The bow is made of golden bamboo, with a large camber, and two bundles of ponytails are tied at both ends as bow hairs. The length of the bow is 52 cm.

how to play
When playing, adopt a sitting or standing position, place the qin barrel on the left leg for sitting, and place the qin barrel on the left side of the waist for standing performance. The bow hairs are placed between the first and second strings and between the third and fourth strings, respectively, dipped in rosin and played.

The four hus of the Yi nationality are tuned according to the relationship of fifths. The two strings are grouped together, and they are set in the same tone. The tuning is c1, c1, g1, g1, and the range is c1-c2.

The timbre is similar to Jinghu, crisp and bright, the volume is larger, and it is full of plateau characteristics. Often played in the first position, rarely changed. Use techniques such as short bows and pitching. Can be used solo or to accompany song and dance. The Yi people often entertain themselves by playing the Sihu solo.

When the four-hu is used in singing situations, the performer dances while pulling it. It is a commonly used accompaniment instrument for folk songs and dances.