[garageband]

I'll give it a shot.

1st, see if you can come up with an omni-directional or figure 8 microphone. That'll make a big difference in the authenticity of the stringed instruments. Here's my best guess on the others. I'll generalize each to it's western analog and that may be illuminating as well.

yangqin. This is a piano. With only one mic, put the mic at the peak of an equilateral triangle above the instrument with soundboard as the base of the triangle. Position the mic exactly square above the soundboard. Slowly move the mic down an inch at a time until the whole instrument comes into focus. Stop. Record.

pipa. Lovely mandolin looking lute object. Now's a good time for your omni/fig 8. Try to have it about 18 in. away but focused on the lower pitched strings half of the instrument. Try to keep the mic away from the player's mouth, as is will pick up his breathing, they are quiet instruments.

dizi. Fipple flute/recorder deal. Cardioid mic to the side of the instrument, so there is no direct path through any of the holes to the mic. About a foot toi foot and a half. Your musician will have to quiet his breathing more than he normally would for live performance. A little practice while he has some phones on and he'll get it.

guqin. Harp? Dobro? I can't tell how you play this thing from the picture. Let's go with the dobro, as played with a slide on the lap. Cardioid mic about 18 inches away at a 45 degree angle pointed down toward the center of the instrument. Keeping it away from the player keeps bodily noises to a minimum.

Leave the SM57 at home this outing. Save it for cool percussive noises.