Holding the zhongruan

[annk]

I've played guzheng for two years, and am starting to play around with the zhongruan I have. I had hoped I could get my guitar-playing son interested in the ruan, but no luck. So I've started off with a basic book just for fun, and am playing exercises in G and C so far. The tremolo seems to have a lot in common with yaozhi on zheng (loose wrist, rapid movement etc). So I think the basics of plucking are going ok so far on my own, with the help of the information in the book.

But I have a question:

I know from the basic technique video on Eason's website that I should hold my left hand open, not rest the neck between my thumb and forefinger. That's sensible. But the instrument is quite heavy and slides on my lap. I end up holding it up with my left hand and arm, and that can't be right. It places a huge strain on that hand and makes movement up and down the neck difficult.

I don't know if all ruan are as heavy as mine; this is the instrument I have.

What do people do to let the instrument sit correctly and comfortably on the lap at the right angle? Do they use something like a chamois or other non-slip material on the lap?

I don't know how seriously I'll pursue this (I really want to learn pipa in addition to zheng, not ruan), but if and when I give up trying to learn, I don't want it to be because I couldn't figure out how to hold the thing comfortably! ;D

[davidmdahl]

I don't have much to suggest regarding the zhongruan. Several years ago I purchased a fine pipa, and have come to regret not getting a zhongruan instead. The pipa is difficult to hold, heavy, and the layout of notes is non-intuitive. I think that learning the pipa without a teacher is very challenging and frustrating. I don't have much time on ruan, but it is much easier to hold and play.

The higher-end ruans on the Eason site are described as "light", but there is no weight indicated to compare with yours. I expect Sung Wah could provide such details if you ask. If you can't get effective remote help from our ruan experts, maybe a local guitar player can help you find a way to hold your ruan.

Best wishes,

David

[sanmenxia]

I don't play the zhongruan but from what I've seen, the instrument is held more upright than horizontal, eg:

Some videos on Youku


www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-SgVa7z6KU


This sanxian looks like it has a support on the bottom so the player doesn't have hold all of the weight with the left hand

[song]

Hi Ann,

The zhongruan that you have is of average weight.

Yes you are right, the ruan players will use a piece of non slip pad to prevent the zhongruan from slipping.

If you would like more information about holding the ruan and other things, I can put you in touch with Clara Tan (the girl in the zhongruan introductory video) and you can ask away.....

SW

[annk]

Thanks for the pics, sanmenxia - I hold the ruan pointed pretty far up to the left, like the fellow in the two top right-hand pictures.

SW - thanks for confirming what I suspected. I'll find myself a piece of something that's not slippery! And if Clara doesn't mind asking a question now and then, I would really appreciate her contact info. You can tell her I promise not to send a deluge of questions, but once in a while I might wonder about something. The video you made with her was a great starting point :-)

[edcat7]

What basic zhongruan books would you recommend? The ones sold on Amazon costs almost as much as a basic zhongruan itself.

[davidmdahl]

There are no ruan books listed on the Eason Music website, but they sell the instruments at least. I suggest an email to Eason (or Sung Wah) inquiring about a recommended ruan book.

Another option is Sogoeo:

www.sogoeo.com/bookscddvd-ruan-c-403_427.html

I don't have any ruan books, so I can't recommend any in particular.

Best wishes,

David

[xindi]

Here's one sold in the UK - no idea if it's any good, but they sell antique flutes, which is how I came to discover them.

Looking at that moon shape it would take heaven and earth to balance it along its axis to play! Looks like it's held like a pipa, although the last chinese chamber concert I went to, the guy playing it had straps like a guitar to play it. I suppose the zhongruan can be held more at a 45 degree angle, whereas the bass version might need more tilting up for its centre of gravity.







www.pamelasmusic.co.uk/images/Forsale/other/ethnic/Eth061n.JPG [/img]

[xindi]

I don't know how seriously I'll pursue this (I really want to learn pipa in addition to zheng, not ruan), but if and when I give up trying to learn, I don't want it to be because I couldn't figure out how to hold the thing comfortably! ;D

Hi Ann,

are you still around?
How far did you get learning the moon guitar?

I love the pipa music repertoire - it is the chinese solo instrument par excellence as far I am concerned! Due to its soft and intimate sound, the solo work I've heard for it made me want to learn it too.

I've only been learning guzheng for a year though. Plus I would have to grow extra long spidery fingers and wear a cheong sam and tie my hair into a bun to fit the role of a pipa player - not very cool for a guy lol. Seriously though - never seen anyone but women play the pipa. Seems like the liuqin is more suited for men (Youku above). A 4 stringed fretted instrument seems more intuitive if the yaozhi techniques are similar to the guzheng. The mere thought of spending 3 years, just to learn the elementary pipa wheel manoeuvre makes me give up before I start.

Have you moved over to the pipa, or stayed with the guzheng? The guzheng I really enjoy (learning alone) - I'm not so sure about the pipa. Perhaps I would need some foundational lessons on it....it could be all wasted energy, instead of devoted to the flute and guzheng ...

[edcat7]

If Annk has stopped playing the zhongruan I'd be more than happy to buy it off her. There are a couple of good-looking zhongruans on DHgate, though I'd better get my teacher to look it them first.