Post by kusery on Aug 5, 2012 14:09:26 GMT
I have finally decided to buy a pipa and begin to learn how to play! I don't have any training in Chinese traditional music, other than being an avid listener, and as far as I have been able to discover, there are no instructors or even dealers of pipas in my area (Asheville, NC, USA). In spite of this, I have decided to give it a go anyway. Here is what I have so far:
The best deal I can find online for a pipa is through soundofasia.com. They are based out of California and so shipping is only 35$ and I wouldn't have to wait three weeks for it to arrive. The Basic Shanghai Dunhuang Pipa #597 is a beginners model that comes with nails, an extra string, a VCD, a carrying case, and a tuner. Is anyone familiar with this model? Is it a good instrument? Money is tight and so price is a concern for me but I also want an instrument that sounds nice.
This is the website for the pipa:
www.soundofasia.com/bashdupi.html
As for instruction, I'm going to expand my search for teachers in my area to include the Charlotte area, which is two hours away. Does anyone know of anyone in Western North Carolina? If not, what books are best for someone who doesn't read/speak Chinese for learning the basics of the pipa? This book was mentioned in another forum.
www.yesasia.com/us/fasttrack-learning-pipa-cd-included/1019754758-0-0-0-en/info.html
Even through it's in Chinese, would it help me?
I have already started trying to decipher jianpu. Fascinating stuff! There is a great page about it on BennyT85Erhu's Blog (http://bennyt85erhu.wordpress.com/) with a download that seems to begin to explain it. Even though the page is for the erhu, the same concept applies, right? Just different symbols for strumming the pipa, versus playing the erhu?
Anyway, I would appreciate any tips or suggestions at all to help me on my journey! Thank you all!
The best deal I can find online for a pipa is through soundofasia.com. They are based out of California and so shipping is only 35$ and I wouldn't have to wait three weeks for it to arrive. The Basic Shanghai Dunhuang Pipa #597 is a beginners model that comes with nails, an extra string, a VCD, a carrying case, and a tuner. Is anyone familiar with this model? Is it a good instrument? Money is tight and so price is a concern for me but I also want an instrument that sounds nice.
This is the website for the pipa:
www.soundofasia.com/bashdupi.html
As for instruction, I'm going to expand my search for teachers in my area to include the Charlotte area, which is two hours away. Does anyone know of anyone in Western North Carolina? If not, what books are best for someone who doesn't read/speak Chinese for learning the basics of the pipa? This book was mentioned in another forum.
www.yesasia.com/us/fasttrack-learning-pipa-cd-included/1019754758-0-0-0-en/info.html
Even through it's in Chinese, would it help me?
I have already started trying to decipher jianpu. Fascinating stuff! There is a great page about it on BennyT85Erhu's Blog (http://bennyt85erhu.wordpress.com/) with a download that seems to begin to explain it. Even though the page is for the erhu, the same concept applies, right? Just different symbols for strumming the pipa, versus playing the erhu?
Anyway, I would appreciate any tips or suggestions at all to help me on my journey! Thank you all!