 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner | Page:   1 2 3   |
|
|||||||||||||
| ErHu ABC--- Beginners exchange and discuss here | Rate Topic |
| Author | Post |
|---|
| Posted: Sun Nov 1st, 2009 04:03 am |
|
21st Post |
|
Clyde Approved 
|
Qain Jing Cord There are far better illistrations on thie topic on here perhaps other like Allenz will post them Attachment: Illitrations of Qain Jin Cord.jpg (Downloaded 81 times)
|
||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Posted: Sun Nov 1st, 2009 07:20 am |
|
22nd Post |
|
yunkangliu Approved
|
Mr.Kaze's homepage has a great deal of Erhu information. 5th post's Erhu pitch figure also comes from Mr.Kaze's website. I think everyone all can get usefull information in his website. His URL http://www.softist.com/chinamusic/erhu/erhu.php
|
|||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Posted: Sun Nov 1st, 2009 07:58 am |
|
23rd Post |
|
kaze Approved
|
to yunkangliu: Good job! It is very helpful subject for erhu-beginners, I think.
____________________ ♪二胡大好き♪ 
|
||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Posted: Sun Nov 1st, 2009 08:05 am |
|
24th Post |
|
Clyde Approved
|
I knew I had a picture of these somewhere Now the Erhu bows you see here in this picture are the three mainly use types The first one from the top down is a Beijing Bow notice how the hook like feature that hold on to the bow hair. Some musicians clame that this feature allows them to have more movement between the index finger and the middle finger. The second bow is that of an Shanghi Bow also notice that is shares a more fixed position for the bow hair. The third bow is that of a traditional bow this type of bow is still used today but by Gaohu musicians the tension on this bow is controled largely by the thickness of the bamboo and is held by a knot in the bow hair at the begining of the bow, to adjust this bow you have to bend the bow to release the tension on the bow hair then slack the knot to either draw in the bow hair or release it. God Bless Attachment: Beijing and Shanghi bows II.JPG (Downloaded 76 times) Last edited on Sun Nov 1st, 2009 08:12 am by Clyde |
|||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Posted: Sun Nov 1st, 2009 08:22 am |
|
25th Post |
|
Clyde Approved
|
Most of you that are begining have the problem of how to hold your bow? just as you hold your chop sticks you hold your bow. notic the picture below it is just this simple. Now if your starting out it is recommended that you use some tension on your bow hair DO NOT over tighten the bow hair and I might add you should start with a stif bow if possible now. this will help you learn the feel of the bow much more quicker. Black verses white >? this is not an issure as a beginner though the white hair is usually smoother right now your concern should be to learn the feel of the bow and then control of it God Bless Attachment: holding the bow.JPG (Downloaded 77 times)
|
||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Posted: Sun Nov 1st, 2009 08:31 am |
|
26th Post |
|
Clyde Approved
|
As a basic rule number one for strings: this picture shows you the tuning pegs upper inside string (on your right) lower outside string (on your left. the upper peg contorls the inside string and the string is rapped around the peg counter clock wise and the lower peg controls the outside string and is rapped aroung the peg clock wise. Now if your wondering about these metal clip like units on the strings that you see they are micro tuner adjusters they help you fine tune your strings. Not all Eehu's have these they are not necessary. ( very helpful though) God Bless Attachment: DSCF1753.JPG (Downloaded 76 times)
|
|||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Posted: Sun Nov 1st, 2009 08:46 am |
|
27th Post |
|
Clyde Approved
|
As a beginer your going to have questions on strings, Most Erhu's come with steel strings and most are plaiable there are always strings that are better then others but for your purpose as long as you have strings on your instrument well that is what you need. For tuning you can use a pitch pipe or other sound devices that are out there if you have an ear for music then the better off you are this may take some getting use to though so take your time and most of all have pateince rewards come ever so slowly but they do come pratice pratice practice. Start of slowly take your time do little exercises work on controling your bow arm first finger work can come later , though everyone wants to use the fingers to make the sounds, nothing wrong with that however think, first things first. Once you start useing your fingers then you share the concentration between the two and this makes things more difficult to control bad habits you may create like a tiny grain of sand may become a huge bolder as time gos on. God Bless Attachment: Erhu Strings.JPG (Downloaded 76 times)
|
||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Posted: Sun Nov 1st, 2009 09:14 am |
|
28th Post |
|
Clyde Approved
|
Now I understand that most beginers aquire their instruments other then professional music shops, hand me downs and swap meets, even pawn brokers and lets not forget online sales. First it is difficult for one as a beginner to pick out a good Erhu that he likes ! one reason being that he or she dosen't really know yet or has developed their seleves yet to understand what they want to look for or what they need. I have got the answers for you here the only advice I can offer is find someone that has the experience their are many that can be trusted Eason is just one of these resourses if your lucky enough to know a profesional music shop that carries Chinese instruments seek out what they recommend. As a beginner anything that is plaiable it good to learn on some may have a harsh or very loud sound but you can work with that it take come time and a little be of learning however it comes though. once you have developed a sence of manipulation of this instrument then you will understand the range you can create your sound and tone and then you will be ready for an Erhu that your looking for. If you see an Erhu in a gerage sale or pwan shop or even someone that is selling one take a close look at it most of these are perhaps in poor condition some without strings or no bridge just strings well look at the condition of the skin first notice the condition color tension scale size look in th einside notice how even it is then look at the strings if it has them notice if they are inline with the neck also how far they are from the snake skin on th base block. There are parts you can get like tuning pegs strings bridges and most of these can be found online such as Eason Enterprises and at reasonable prices too these instrument are very much afordable and provid a wonderful experience with hours of relaxsation and enjoyment. So good luck to all of you starting out and if you have any questions theirs always someone here willing to help God Bless Last edited on Sun Nov 1st, 2009 09:38 am by Clyde |
|||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Posted: Sun Nov 1st, 2009 03:40 pm |
|
29th Post |
|
Clyde Approved
|
Here is another illustration of what the Qain Jing Cord should look like, again here keep in mind that several different types of materials are used to make up this Quain Jing Cord. Also notic the height of the strings to the neck line This is very impostant and all Erhu instruments react differently to it, this can greatly effect your clarity on the high notes as well as your tone. As a beginner it is most difficult to learn all these ticks and tacks of the Erhu such as bridge placement, damper hight and placement Qain Jing place ment so read all you can here or just ask anyone here I am sure there will be many willing to asset you in any way they can.\ Once you can truly understand the whys and hows of this instrument you will have a better understanding of how to play it and most important to be as one with it. God Bless Attachment: Quain Jin Cord.jpg (Downloaded 76 times) Last edited on Sun Nov 1st, 2009 03:48 pm by Clyde |
||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Posted: Sun Nov 1st, 2009 03:53 pm |
|
30th Post |
|
Clyde Approved
|
Here is a good chart of an Erhu and this chart will discribe the features of this wonderful instrument this is very useful for all beginners God Bless Attachment: Erhu Chart 2 in paint.jpg (Downloaded 76 times)
|
|||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Posted: Sun Nov 1st, 2009 04:00 pm |
|
31st Post |
|
Clyde Approved
|
All beginners have problems holding your instrument and one tends to chock it to death so to speak notice the illustration below, see how the hand is relaxed around the neck oh so gently this is called "The Mouth of the Tiger" Now this will take some time and as always much practice to learn this technique haveing the control of putting pressure on the strings while still gliding your relaxed hand over the neck. God Bless Attachment: Doctave.jpg (Downloaded 75 times)
|
||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Posted: Sun Nov 1st, 2009 04:15 pm |
|
32nd Post |
|
Clyde Approved
|
All beginers have a problem with bow movement this is the first and most importnat learning for a beginer first the Erhu must be held properly then you must use your sholder down all of your arm must mover this is not just a wrist action. This must flow when the arm and sholder move it hleps keep the bow level as well as control the pressure over and on the strings. The beginer must be able to learn how to control the tone as well as the volume from one end of the bow to the other this is most important as I have stated before pay all the attention to learning the bow movement and control first, you may not get another chance to do it again. fingering and techniques will all come on its own time but the range of your abilities rest in you bowing and with out good bowing learning you limit yourself so learn it well. When you are able to control the sound as well as tone and volume from the tip of the bow to the beginning of the bow like the middle of the bow then you are now ready to practice perfection of your movement. keep in mind always that it is NEVER good enough there is always improvement. Like a professional soloist on stage they will make mistakes at times but the audience will never hear them because perfection is always getting better then what you are it is absalute contorl. God Bless Last edited on Sun Nov 1st, 2009 04:48 pm by Clyde |
|||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Posted: Sun Nov 1st, 2009 04:30 pm |
|
33rd Post |
|
Clyde Approved
|
Beginners ask what is the difference in the type of wood used in Erhu's and what is a good instrument? Well, it all depends on what your looking for. I know as a musician I look for the weight in a good Erhu first you can truly feel a good Erhu the way it sits in your hand will tell you much. If it sits well in your hand it will sit well in your lap. Most age woods are heavy some more then others Rose wood and Sandal wood are some of the best though some orchestra conductors prefer their Erhu's made out of ebony they produce a sweet mellow tone that also has good volume that can be controlled on command. This I think is a personal preference though. Next I look for the tone and sound volume in a good Erhu and most important here how much I can manipulate these features, now this is not really that important to most however to me it is. Then I look for the quality how well made this instrument is. Keep in mind now no matter how good looking an instrument is if you can't do anything with it for sound what is the purpose of having it right? There are so many variations here and soon you will learn to know just what you want as well all this will come in time and time relays on one step at a time practice practice.practice God Bless
|
||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Posted: Sun Nov 1st, 2009 07:44 pm |
|
34th Post |
|
Clyde Approved
|
" Proper Positioning " In every instrument we learn to play we always have to address the issue of proper position and the Erhu is not different. First of all to be prepared is not just a saying but rather a necessary part of proper positioning. This instrument like all string instruments is played with you soul and your heart the more one pours himself or herself into it the more it is projected to others I will explain later with a short story but for now. Find yourself in a quite settings an at peace in your own serenity listen to all around you. This helps if your at a park lets say early in the morning just before the dawn you can hear all around you it is in this settings that all string instruments strive and have the most effect on the human heart and soul. I want you to think of this serenity and peaceful settings when you start to learn your Erhu. Now take a firm chair (wood preferably) with a back on it, sit up straight on this chair with your head up chin up this posture is indeed important now learn to relax in this position. Now move yourself half way towards the edge of the chair keeping your back straight and your head and chin up. Keeping your knees together place the Erhu on your right knee slide it closer to you to your right lap. The snake skin should be facing your right elbow and the back of the Erhu should be facing your left elbow tilt the top of the Erhu slightly away from your body just to get a little angle. Now open your legs allowing the Erhu to fallow. Your knees and your feet should be in a comfortable position about lets just say 40 cm. Now holding your bow notice the angle the bow hair is in pertaining to the strings on the Erhu. The bow hair should be close to the neck as possible without touching the neck. All this takes much practice and rechecking until you know it in your sleep. Now peace and serenity! While in New York one evening at a performance outing I had the pleasure of meeting and taking part in a very interesting conversation with a young violinist who has been studying the instrument from a child to a young lady and perfecting her techniques quit well I might add. Anyway she went on to tell me her story growing up in northern California as a little girl they did not live in the finest of areas and the apartment she lived in was hard and noisy to the point that any type of practice was a challenge beyond any ones normal imagination. But this little girl had a plan, She would go up to the top of the apartment building after school and began to separate herself from all the confusion and frustrations of the world, this was her way out of all that was going on around her. Each day for hours at a time she would run to her serenity to find harmony and peace as she knew it. Time and years past on and as a young girl in high school her parents move to a better location in California and lived in a house a two bedroom home with two floors she said it was fantastic as her words would describe her glowing projection. Now her three brothers and her all would have their very own room. This was great but also very sad for her because as a young girl much depends on growing up with friends and things around you that are well known. So she began her difficult task of finding that grove that she knew all to well that comfort for witch she could find her serenity. Well, weeks past and though she had found a new teacher she had not yet found comfort in herself or what she had been looking for, hard it was a a new kid on the block trying to fit in, so she turned again to the only thing she knew and knew it well, her violin now she though to herself to find a place, a place she could find her serenity. Up stairs as most colonial house are there was an attic and in this attic there were three windows she choose the one to the back of the house and there after some minor work she found a place to be as one with all there is in the world. In her worlds she would describe it as the most wonderful place to go. Years past on and she became highly recognized for her work so much so that a most recognized college of music had a big interest in her, but she was humble she thought this could not be her and why what was it that concerts seen in her or other audiences clapping their hands together what did it mean for her. Time went on and she attended a very recognized college and studied in the arts as well as accounting and as her father persisted business. But every now and then she would walk into the school of music and which they had always welcomed her with open arms for a concert or two laughing as she went on to say. About that time she had been excepted into a frat house for women she was exited in being apart of a group and which she thought was finally going to find her place. As time went on though things somehow just did not fit into place or should I say she did not fit into place. So once again the Violin became her serenity and she climbed up to the roof top once again and sat on the edge to practice well one day it was a very quite autumn as usual she began to play but this time it was much earlier and she plaid for hours. As she melted in her music a sadness surrounded her and the music she plaid slowly she tired and darkness now surrounded her and for the very first time she looked down, and the tears began to pour from her eyes as it did as she was describing what she had seen people on porches sitting out on the lawn quit as mice tying not to let her know they were there just listening to her play. Her emotions became over her and she could not stop the tears from fallow for all that she had been looking for had been there all along with her and the sound that she projected out brought so many together not for a seat or the price of a ticket but just to have peace and serenity just like her. Now here's hope and wishes that we all can find our very own serenity and my thanks goes out to you miss Lee for sharing your story I hope I remembered it well and told it well. God Bless Last edited on Sun Nov 1st, 2009 11:46 pm by Clyde |
|||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Posted: Mon Nov 2nd, 2009 02:39 am |
|
35th Post |
|
Clyde Approved
|
"Strings " The interesting subject or strings, and nothing or no other subject can and will confuse you more as a biginner then anything else "what type of strings should I use" Now I am not going to get into this topic but what I will say about it is this. If you have strings on your Erhu and they hold a tune? Then they are good enough to keep using them. After practicing wipe down your strings and the neck of the Erhu and any other parts of the instrument you may touch keep in mind that it is made from wood so it needs protection and care. As far as the strings go use alcohol cotton swabs they do a great job of cleaning metal strings. If you practice regularly four to seven times a week then there is little need to slack the string tension in fact in some Erhu's it is known to help set in the bridge into a grove like position in the middle of the snake skin this helps the tone as well as the sound volume. However if you are not regularly practicing with your instrument then by all means take the tension of the strings be careful though of the Qain Jing Cord it may unravel and move it's position if you take to much tension off. God Bless Attachment: DSCF1754.JPG (Downloaded 66 times) Last edited on Mon Nov 2nd, 2009 05:41 am by Clyde |
||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Posted: Mon Nov 2nd, 2009 02:55 am |
|
36th Post |
|
Clyde Approved
|
"Dampers and Bridges" As a beginner you may wonder what is a damper and why some bridges don't look like yours does? Well, dampers require some experimenting with and well so do bridges as well. First make sure the bridge is in the middle of the snake skin and also centered with the inside and out side strings. The way to do this is to move the bridge slightly from one side to the other and find it's center. Now most well made bridges are not flat at the bottom notice how they are somewhat rounded, This of course is to protect the snake skin from the edges as well as provide an even edge for the vibration of the strings to travel threw the skin. The ever changing shapes of the damper. Now the dampers control excess sound or unwanted sounds and can have a great deal of effect on tone as well. You will find these dampers made from all sorts of materials from fine leather to cloth and these days foam rubber. It is important for you to understand it's purpose but not important right now to pay to much attention to it. Trust me at first your bow movements screeching sounds cannot be changed by the bridge or damper. For now just practice and bare with it, It is a good idea to find a secluded place for you to start your practicing. once you have learned how to control the understanding of it all will all take shape. remember practice practice practice rewards come oh so slowly however they do come. God Bless Attachment: Bridges and dampers.JPG (Downloaded 65 times) Last edited on Mon Nov 2nd, 2009 05:39 am by Clyde |
|||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Posted: Mon Nov 2nd, 2009 05:33 am |
|
37th Post |
|
Clyde Approved
|
"The use of Rosin and the bow" Now most of you that have gotten your Erhu new notice right away that the bow is what we call dry. This means it is blank no rosin. If you have gotten your Erhu from China then the rosin that comes with it is a very good rosin despite what it may look like it is good rosin. Now if you have gotten your Erhu second hand or any Erhu that did not come with rosin then go to a music store and ask for rosin VIOLIN rosin not cello or base they are to soft you need hard rosin. If you are a beginner this can be quite a challenge applying the rosin to your bow. The best suggestion I have is to sand the rosin or cut it with a saw blade by hand to create a powder then put the powder on a clean cloth now run the bow hair across the powder on the cloth. This will allow you to apply more rosin to the area of the bow hair. Be careful of rosin powder or dust do not inhale any of it this can have some serious health consequences. If for some reason you need to clean of your bow hair treat it as normal hair seal off the bamboo and shampoo the bow hair using cold water and a non conditioning shampoo, dry it normally do not use heat in anyway. After it is dry you may then repeat applying the rosin. Now if you were lucky enough to acquire your Erhu from and shop like Easton Enterprise these proshops make sure that the instruments they sell are ready for use they are put to a test before they leave the shop to your hands. God Bless Attachment: PR-9002-s[1].jpg (Downloaded 67 times)
|
||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Posted: Mon Nov 2nd, 2009 05:51 am |
|
38th Post |
|
yunkangliu Approved
|
This is Liu Tian-Hua's ErHu study 001 for empty string. Attachment: LiuTianHua 001.jpg (Downloaded 66 times)
|
|||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Posted: Mon Nov 2nd, 2009 08:07 pm |
|
39th Post |
|
yueyashan Approved 
|
that's a really great job! Thank you very much for these information! on this website there is a lot of information concerning the "Erhu ABC" http://www.softist.com/chinamusic/erhu/erhu.php  *Shirley Last edited on Mon Nov 2nd, 2009 08:41 pm by yueyashan |
||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Posted: Tue Nov 3rd, 2009 02:35 am |
|
40th Post |
|
Den Approved 
|
I would like to add this video link of tansungwah tying the qainjing cord, and located on youtube. I really like this one, it helped me immensely. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS6bs8UMutg
|
|||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Current time is 12:48 pm | Page: 1 2 3 |
| ezFolk Forums > Other Instruments > Erhu > ErHu ABC--- Beginners exchange and discuss here | Top |
