The Erhu is a traditional Chinese string instrument often referred to as the 'Chinese violin.' It has a long neck and a small hexagonal sound box covered with python skin, which provides its unique resonance. What makes the Erhu truly distinct is that it only has two strings, and the bow hair is permanently threaded *between* the strings. The player pushes the bow outward to play one string and pulls it inward to play the other. There is no fingerboard; the player produces different pitches by pressing their fingers against the strings in mid-air. The Erhu is famous for its haunting, vocal-like quality, capable of mimicking the sound of a human singing or even crying. It is a staple of Chinese opera and has recently been used in Western film scores, such as the soundtrack to 'Kung Fu Panda.'