Question

how is sound produced on the erhu, which is a chordophone? for reference, the erhu is playing the main melody (not the accompaniment) in the excerpt below. in a mountain path (china) 1:58 the strings are struck. the instrument is blown. the strings are bowed.

Explanation:

The erhu is a chordophone (string - instrument) that produces sound by bowing the strings. Striking strings is more associated with instruments like pianos or hammered dulcimers, and blowing is for wind instruments (like flutes or trumpets). So the correct way sound is produced on the erhu is by bowing the strings.

Answer:

The strings are bowed.