Sheng fingering chart

[sanmenxia]

This is a fingering chart for my 17 pipe sheng:

img641.imageshack.us/img641/84/shengchartfordsheng.png
Image is 333KB.

Apparently, the arrangement of notes varies a lot, so the chart might not be all correct for another sheng. For example another chart I've seen has the notes in pipes 8 and 13 one octave higher.

[edcat7]

Sanmenxia, Have you managed to get started on the sheng without the aid of a teacher?
Looking at past threads I see you're building up a collection of instruments.
There is a sheng busker in Covent garden; you aren't thinking of taking his place when he retires are you?

[sanmenxia]

I can play the D scale plus the accompanying notes, very slowly.

Making a sound is fairly straightforward, I guess it's similar to blowing into a bawu or hulusi.

Yeah I've got a yueqin on the way. At the basic level a lot of the instruments transfer quite easily, eg, the bawu and hulusi apparently have the same fingering. The ruan and liuqin have the basic techniques etc.

I must have a look at that sheng player, and no I wouldn't dare think about playing outdoors, in public, at least not by myself. And luckily I only need to play for fun, haha

[edcat7]

I would think that 'resident' sheng busker would be happy to compare shengs with you...as long as he doesn't consider you competition. He looks like a Mandarin speaker.

Wow, you're getting a yueqin too. I'm soon to be learning the liuqin/zhongruan. My guess is they all play similarly. If they do play similarly I can photocopy some notes for you.

It's lucky you don't have to busk (out of necessity). I see it as something that will supplement my meagre pension.

[sanmenxia]

I saw that sheng player the other day. I guess he's a regular there, the CD he's selling must have been recorded about 20 years ago! Unfortunately I have no interest in the style of music he plays there.

I noticed he holds his sheng in quite a flat position, maybe even flatter than 45 degrees. And he only plays one note at a time, which he adds vibrato/tremolo by moving his jaw up and down.

[edcat7]

That sheng busker is in wikipedia. Is he any good, or is it the backing music that makes the difference. It must that a lot of breath to play the sheng.

[sanmenxia]

Yes it's mainly that synth backing, I really can't stand it. But I'm sure he can play in the traditional styles. I've got this record of his (on vinyl!): realworldrecords.com/catalogue/yuan

The interesting thing about the sheng is you produce the same note when you blow out and when you breath in; half the time you're breathing in as you play so you can never run out of breath!