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Post by thegreatpipaist on Jul 20, 2013 9:57:51 GMT
Hi There...
I need your help especially those who are in China and learn Pipa there.
In Indonesia, pipa string are really expensive so we usually use the plastic strings wich is make the sound of the Pipa became teribble.
Since all my friends were playing guitar, i wonder can we use the 1st string from guitar for 1st pipa string?
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Post by joepip on Jul 25, 2013 20:58:21 GMT
Pipa strings are made a certain way. I think most commonly they are made of steel-wrapped nylon. A guitar string might not be long enough and the string needs to be able to hook in the bridge on the pipa belly. You might try purchasing pipa strings from Eason Music based in Singapore and having them shipped. They're fairly cheap. Here is the link: easonmusicstore.com/webshaper/store/viewCat.asp?catID=60 |
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Post by sutong on Jan 5, 2014 21:52:49 GMT
Hi There... I need your help especially those who are in China and learn Pipa there. In Indonesia, pipa string are really expensive so we usually use the plastic strings wich is make the sound of the Pipa became teribble. Since all my friends were playing guitar, i wonder can we use the 1st string from guitar for 1st pipa string? Which plastic string are you using? My classical guitar uses nylon strings. The first string is less than 0.08 guage for a pitch of E. Nylon is no good for pipa strings. They are long enough to try and form a hook end. You still lose a lot of sound quality. Maybe you are using a rock guitar or a folk guitar steel string. The tension is better. Better use the second string and change the pitch from B to A than the first string from E to A. Pipa strings are cheap compared to guitar strings. |
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Post by samuelwong on Jan 16, 2014 15:31:47 GMT
Hi,
like joepip, i'll highly recommend the eason site (listed above). Most professional pipa players use the following:
1st String - Steel string from Xinghai or Golden Romance brands
2-4th Strings - Dunhung brang strings.
Hope this helps!
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Post by sutong on Jan 19, 2014 0:58:45 GMT
Hello SamuelWong,
where can you get Xinghai brands?
Eason sell silver ones. Are there normal steel ones? The silver ones must be very good if they are that dear!
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Post by samuelwong on Jan 19, 2014 19:52:44 GMT
i think eason does sell them. Ask for 1st string 'gang xian' from Eason? They should know what it is.
Silver strings are a matter of perspective....Based on experience and discussions with fellow professional pipa players, its really a bit of a hit and miss!
They are rather expensive, but they seem to work for some pipas and do nothing for others. If you have spare cash, i guess you can invest in a set. I used silver strings a few times as a child when i was learning pipa in the conservatory in Beijing, but after some time, i felt that they were almost exactly the same as the dunhuang ones?
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Post by sutong on Jan 19, 2014 20:16:53 GMT
You went to the Beijing conservatory?!
Thanks - I will try and find a set of steel ones. I think I need to upgrade to a proper pipa to get the best out of any strings.
Do you do online teaching? I don't know if my internet is good enough, but I cannot find a teacher in Europe who speaks English.
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Post by samuelwong on Jan 20, 2014 6:37:35 GMT
Oh, I've never taught online before.... I teach in a university here in Singapore. But I mainly teach ethnomusicology and Chinese music history. I had quite a number of pipa students in the past who have gone on to become teachers. I did some of my studies in the UK and i empathize with your situation! Perhaps add me on Facebook if you have one? We can discuss more there? I don't want to flood the forums. :-) Www.Facebook.com/samuelwongpipa |
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Post by davidmdahl on Jan 20, 2014 7:57:54 GMT
Samuel, please feel free to post whatever you want about Chinese music, especially advice about playing pipa. That's what this forum is here for.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by samuelwong on Jan 20, 2014 23:38:52 GMT
sure.
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