Yu (wind instrument)

The Yu (竽) is a free reed mouth organ, traditionally used in Chinese music. It is one of the oldest Chinese musical instruments, with a history spanning several millennia. The yu is considered the ancestor of the sheng, another Chinese free reed instrument, and bears a similar appearance.

The yu consists of a gourd (the wind chamber), typically made of dried bottle gourd, into which a number of bamboo pipes of varying lengths are inserted. Each pipe contains a free reed, traditionally made of bamboo or metal. Air is blown into the gourd through a mouthpiece, causing the reeds to vibrate and produce sound. Unlike the sheng, the yu generally plays single notes or simple chords, and its pipes do not have fingerholes. The number of pipes in a yu can vary, but historically they ranged from around 13 to 36 or more.

The yu was historically used in court music and ritual ceremonies. Although it is less commonly played in modern times compared to the sheng, efforts are being made to preserve and revive this ancient instrument. Its distinctive sound is characterized by its rich, warm timbre.