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Post by jetz320 on Sept 25, 2006 22:27:01 GMT
Hi. I don't play the qin, but I've heard alot of information about it as well as I've done research on the instrument before. Is it true that the instrument can last up to hundreds of years old? Isn't the qin also considered "unplayable" cause it'll break your hand? Also, I have read that the qin was something to master for a scholar in the ancient court? If someone can answer these questions, it will be most appreciated!! Thanks!!!
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Post by Charlie Huang on Sept 25, 2006 22:59:07 GMT
Yes, a good qin can last centuries. It only becomes 'unplayable' if it warps or has a huge crack somewhere, and that only happens if it is stored improperly. The qin was something to master for the literati. The ancient court only uses it in rituals.
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Post by SCWGuqin on Sept 25, 2006 23:00:43 GMT
1. People still own and play qins dating back over 1000 years to the Tang dynasty. These are some of the most prized instruments.
2. I'd like to know where you heard the bit about "breaking your hand". The technique can be rather taxing (and painful at first), and of course you have to go through life with long nails on one hand--but the instrument is quite "playable". As long as you maintain those nice calluses...
3. For the past few centuries the qin has been seen mainly as a private instrument played by literati. But we do know that there were court qin soloists and that the qin featured in old ensembles for ritual and entertainment. Exactly when that tradition weakened I don't know...
Tell us more! Every person interested in qin is a godsend, to me at least.
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Post by Si on Mar 14, 2007 7:59:35 GMT
I wonder what is the incidence of vanrnish problems.
My qin is 1 year old and there is a small area of varnish blistering along the 7th string.
The top of the blisters have come off so u can see inside (if you had a torch and a micoscope!)
Is this a common happening?
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Post by Charlie Huang on Mar 14, 2007 9:48:29 GMT
Blistering? What do you mean? Lacquer should be worn away (takes about 3 years) and not start to crack and fray, unless it is a paint job...
You need to take a picture asap and post it on here, darling.
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Post by Si on Mar 14, 2007 13:19:47 GMT
Haha - i showed my teacher. She said its not unsual to have such things. Then she noticed its right at the 7th hui where I have been having trouble with the qia qi on 7&6 string. She was joking that I have dung a hole in the qin!......well I might have.
oh I have spent a lesson trying to do this qia qi - its hard to keep both 6/7 string firm without moving them. Especially with 7th string being so close to my body and at an angle. Must be toughest thing to do so far....
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Post by Charlie Huang on Mar 15, 2007 10:56:20 GMT
I still want to see a pic of it!
Usually, after three years of continuous play, the lacquer would wear on the path of the strings which is more noticable when you remove all the strings. You can feel a 'blip' in the surface. It's call xingyun wen, or running cloud markings.
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Post by Si on Apr 30, 2007 13:01:36 GMT
OK- my "insider" source from the music shop in Singapore told me:-
Be careful when you buy a qin and then take it to another part of the world. For example:
Dont get a beijing qin and then take it to a hot humid place - it will crack.
Specify or enquire on the season that the qin was glued together. For example should be summer time if you are sending it to singapore.
All this is in a sinapore context but its worth remembering.
I thought a Cheng Du made qin would be good for singapore, but she said no! I was a bit suprised as chengdu is very hot.
So beware when you buy your qin. Where was it made? Its important!!!!!
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Post by Charlie Huang on Apr 30, 2007 13:25:38 GMT
You have to be very careful with your qin for the first year and make sure it steadily adjusts to the change of climate.
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