Pipa

4 stringed lute with 10 fret boards: commonly known as a balloon guitar. The four silk strings tune to c'.f'.g'. and c'' and represent the four seasons. Used for secular songs accompanied by the flute. It is played with the nail passing rapidly back and forwards on the strings in a tremolo fashion; frequently played by the blind beggars in China and Japan, where it is known as the Biva.