The 内(in)string and the 外(out)string are not balanced

[d̗̰̗͆͘ǎ͔̱͈̰̬̫ͨ̌ͮͥ͗ͭ̕vid]

Whenever I play a song that switches between strings a lot, I noticed how I have to move my fingers abbot higher or lower when playing opposite strings. For example, when I play D on the outside string in perfect tune, the G on the inside string is out of tune.

Any suggestions to fix this?

Danks

[davidmdahl]

If the open strings (not fingered) are otherwise in tune, check the qianjin. The space at the qianjin between the strings and neck should be about a sideways thumb in width. You may improve the tuning by retying the qianjin. There are excellent videos on Youtube showing how to tie the qianjin, especially by Eason Music.

If the qianjin is too low or you are tuned much less than normal pitch (D/A), the strings may be too loose, and the tuning may vary.

Best wishes,

David

[juliek]

I have this issue, my qianjin is my thumbs width. However I am very short so even though I have tied it to the base of my little finger should I have it a bit higher?

[davidmdahl]

The higher the qianjin, the greater the space between fingered notes. If the spacing is too great, it will be uncomfortable. For an experienced player, greater spacing is probably okay. You can experiment with the location of the qianjin, to see what is comfortable. It is better for the novice to aim for more comfort to avoid stress and strain, and bad habits.

Some experienced erhu players set the qianjin as high as possible. This results in greater tension on the strings, and so the sound is better. It is also easier to play in higher positions, since the notes are not so close together.

Best wishes,

David

[d̗̰̗͆͘ǎ͔̱͈̰̬̫ͨ̌ͮͥ͗ͭ̕vid]

Oct 16, 2018 1:46:35 GMT davidmdahl said:

The higher the qianjin, the greater the space between fingered notes. If the spacing is too great, it will be uncomfortable. For an experienced player, greater spacing is probably okay. You can experiment with the location of the qianjin, to see what is comfortable. It is better for the novice to aim for more comfort to avoid stress and strain, and bad habits.

Some experienced erhu players set the qianjin as high as possible. This results in greater tension on the strings, and so the sound is better. It is also easier to play in higher positions, since the notes are not so close together.

Best wishes,

David

Luckily my arachnodactyly allows me to achieve such wide note spacing

Although it does not equate to good intonation

[juliek]

I swapped my bridge and put less wool layers in my dampener. Seems to have helped