B is for Busker

Stephansplatz (St Stephen's Square) is called the heart and soul of Vienna. The cathedral is the key historical landmark, and an imposing one it is. 

Yet for me it's the various street entertainers there who put the smile on my face. I  admire the courage of these buskers in displaying their talents to earn a living only from the generosity of appreciative audiences.

 

Vienna, 2011

B is the letter of the week at Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday and I link to the players with these buskers.

A Busker and His Friend

 Shenzhen, 2010

This busker is playing an old Chinese instrument dating back at least to the Qin Dynasty (200 BC) called the ruan. This old form of pipa with straight-neck and round body was named ruan after a master player of this instrument, Ruan Xian, one of great scholars among "The Seven Gentlemen" in the 3rd Century. 

The Ruan is used in Peking opera, as well as in modern Chinese orchestras. There is a family of ruan of various size with zhong (middle) ruan and da (big) ruan used similarly as the viola and cello in western orchestras. 

If you'd like to hear the sound of the ruan, here is a lovely melody.

Posted for Mary's Sepia Scenes.