The seven strings of Yangzhou

Behind the venerable instrument and its music are tales of great learning, nonconformism and even murder

Many music styles and instruments have their natural home. Just listen to a waltz being played on a violin and you can instantly be transported to a grand ballroom of Vienna. Then there's the banjo-pickin' number that has you square-dancing, American style, all the way to Nashville, Tennessee, or ukulele playing that has you lapping up the sun in Hawaii.

So if you happen to be listening to the plucking of the seven-stringed Chinese instrument the guqin, where on Earth will you take yourself to feel at home?