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Post by Silver on Oct 17, 2004 11:49:55 GMT
hi
i was wondering what i'm doing with the cello rosin? is it for the strings at the erhu or the the bow-strings? and how do i use it exactly? i am absolutely newbie and just received my erhu last friday. thanks for reply
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Post by Charlie Huang on Oct 17, 2004 20:48:56 GMT
Rosin can have two applications. One is to coat the tuning pegs at where they enter the neck of the instrument, the friction causing the pegs less likely to slip and detune. Two is to coat the bow (not the strings) so that there is ample friction to cause the bow to create a sound, without it being slippery.
To apply on the bow, simply run the rosin along the hairs from one end to the other, then again, several times. Don't over do it and don't go back and forth.
I think that is it. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me.
EDIT: I don't know if cello rosin is the same as erhu rosin, or if it is suitable. Could someone tell?
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Post by paulv on Oct 19, 2004 18:20:20 GMT
Hi Silver, I've been studying erhu for almost 1 year now, and I'm not an expert but I totally agree with Charlie. The only other thing I can add is not use cello rosin because it is soft and not suitable for erhu (it will put more rosin on your bow than what you want). My erhu instructor recommended a hard, dry rosin suitable for violins. I first started using a high quality rosin from China, but my instructor told me that the American/European rosins were better. I was always guilty of putting too, too much rosin on my bow. I ended up washing my bow and after it dried, applied the new rosin -- my sound and technique both improved! The rosin is Pierre Guillame and it cost about $16 (since the erhu is my only hobby, my wife didn't complain too much about the price!) at the store I bought it from (in the Boston MA area) -- you can probably get it cheaper via Internet. I tend not to buy things from Internet since the shipping charges are almost the same as our sales tax.
Good luck and happy erhu playing !!!!!
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Post by Silver on Oct 21, 2004 22:20:12 GMT
thanks for the answers. how do i use the rosin at the tuning pegs? do i need to pull them completely out and then rubber the peg with the rosin (sorry for that expression)? it seems so... unfortunately the bridge was not included when i ordered the erhu from shangai. but it will be delivered in a few weeks and i can begin to perform the right way. meanwhile i constructed a bridge for myself made for ply wood. it sounds terrible on higher notes...
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Post by paulv on Oct 22, 2004 18:00:21 GMT
Hi Silver, I've never rosin'd my tuning pegs as I don't turn them to adjust the strings. I bought a couple of "fine tuners" at the same violin store ($2 each for the cheapo's) and use those with a computer tuner. Again, I'm not an expert but I would imagine that twisting the pegs constantly (like loosening the strings after you practice) will wear the peg out. I would speculate that a person would probably apply a very light coat of rosin to the peg stem (using that soft cello rosin you have).
I'll ask my instructor this weekend and get back to you. By the way, a few weeks is a long time to wait for a bridge. I hope it shows up soon for you. I originally had a bamboo bridge when I got my erhu and had trouble with the high G notes. The problem went away when I replaced that bridge with a wooden one.
I also posted a message on the other erhu message on this board that talked about some basic things -- you may want to take a look at it -- it might/might not help you.
Best wishes and happy erhu playing!
paul v.
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Post by Silver on Oct 23, 2004 11:00:49 GMT
I've never played a stringed instrument in my life before and I have absolutely no idea about maintenance. I tried out the rosin on the strings of my bow and the sound were much better after then! Thanks a lot! I also posted a message on the other erhu message on this board that talked about some basic things -- you may want to take a look at it -- it might/might not help you. do you have a link? i can't find any other discussion about erhu und "palace of zheng"..
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Post by Charlie Huang on Oct 23, 2004 11:56:30 GMT
Ahem, Silver-san. He means the other thread on this same board of this very forum!
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Post by Silver on Oct 23, 2004 15:10:57 GMT
Ahem, Silver-san. He means the other thread on this same board of this very forum! of course. i'm sorry. seems i'm still sleeping...
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Post by calden on Oct 23, 2004 15:30:44 GMT
Hey all:
Rosin on violin pegs is not okay. It builds up with humidity in the air over time and gets gummy and eventually glazed and slick. There are other products meant to stabilize pegs from slipping.
If your erhu peg is not holding, I'd first take it to a violin shop and ask them to check and make sure the peg and hole diameter and taper are similar. They can easily fix this by slight reshaping. Then ask what they'd recommend to stop it from slipping. A better alternative to rosin is chalk, for example.
I initiallly had some fine tuners on my erhu, and my teacher laughed and simply said I don't need them. I haven't felt a need for them.
I seem to play best with a fresh, well-rosined bow, and I clean rosin off the strings every few days. If it builds up on the strings I can't control the bow on the slow, soft high notes - it's just scratchy.
Another factor in getting a good sound is the correct tension on the bow. My instructor said that it should be JUST tightened enough so that with a tiny bit of pressure - minimal pressure - holding the bowhair to the ney xian (inside string - the low D) the wooden bow shaft should JUST clear the wai xian - the outside string - by a little bit, no more than 5mm. You don't want a lot of tension on the bow.
I have found this to be right for me, although sometimes when warming up I want a bit more tension.
Carlos
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Post by YouLanFengChune on Nov 18, 2004 0:15:26 GMT
HI all!
I dun really play erhu, but thats what I do.
I use The pirastro Oliv. Its very fine, and sensitive.
For fine tuner, I reject the metal ones cos it has a metallic tone to it, and it spoils the strings (imagine, twisting at 90 degree angles)
I tie another thread above the Qian Jin on the outer string. Some tension is needed, as it would be an effective tuner. If you want your pitch to go higher, move your string up. It will not cause any spoiling to your sound, or your strings. Plus, the strings will be softer, and yes, it'lll sound better!
Repeat the same for your inner string if needed.
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