The pipa is the leading instrument of the Chinese plucked-string musical group. It is a pear-shaped, 4-stringed, lute-like instrument with a common tuning of A,D, E, A. Pipa has 6 wedge-shaped frets as well as 26 smaller bamboo frets that are used for higher positions on the upper strings.

Zhang Ying is a leading young Pipa player from China. She is currently a member of Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.