(gao: high; hu: barbarian fiddle)

The Gaohu is also known as a Yuehu (Cantonese hu) or Nanhu (southern hu).

Developed in the 1920's, the high hu has the same basic construction as the Erhu, with its tubular resonator somewhat smaller, a fourth or fifth higher in tuning. Its range can reach two octaves. In performance it is held vertically with the lower part of the resonator supported between the knees to control the noisy tone.

With its sweet and delicate tone, the Gaohu is often in the treble of the bowed strings of the modern Chinese orchestra. Apart from solo and leader in the Cantonese Opera music, the Geohu also used in ensemble and accompaniment.