The yueqin, with the name from its moon-sharped soundbox, is similar in construction to the long-necked ruan (moon guitar), from which it was developed. The resonating chamber of the folk type is sometimes octagonal or hexagonal in shape. The four strings are grouped in two courses, each has two strings in unison, and the two courses are tuned a 4th or 5h degree.

The instrument is plucked generally with a plectrum. Clear and vigorous in tone it is commonly used to accompany local operas and narrative singings, and for solos or in ensembles as well. In the accompaniment to Beijing opera, the yueqin , together with the jinghu, the jing erhu (both two string fiddles) and the sanxian (long necked three string lute), forms the most important four. Now the strings are mostly made of nylon or nyloncoiled wire. The frets are arranged chromatically for free modulation.

Tuning: g-d-g1-d2
Range:g-d3