Hulusi & Bawu books in English

[davidmdahl]

Every so often I troll Amazon for books on Chinese music. This morning I came up with several books that appear to fill a void:

How to Play Bawu and Hulusi: A Beginner's Guide to these Popular Chinese Wind Instruments

The Bawu and Hulusi Tunebook - C Edition: One Hundred and One Tunes for these Popular Chinese Wind Instruments

The link to the author's page (Pat Missin) on Amazon:

www.amazon.com/Pat-Missin/e/B0075DW8P0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Looking though the preview, I spotted a recommendation for our forum, with some positive comments. While I have not actually seen the actual books, the previews on Amazon provide enough information to recommend consideration.

The tunes provided are in staff notation, which may make them more accessible to Western musicians. I am a big fan of jianpu, and think it well worth learning for people who want to play Chinese instruments, but these books should help a bawu or hulusi beginner get started.

I hope that the books do well. Materials in English for learning Chinese instruments is something to encourage.

Best wishes,

David

[xindi]

Isn't Pat Missin a reknown harmonica player?!

If his work on the bawu and hulusi are anything like his harmonica books, it'll be well-worth a read. I'm in awe of anyone who can quote Debussy and bawu in the same sentence.

[edcat7]

I think anything to bring the hulusi to more people would be welcome. Personally I think the backing tracks makes the hulusi sound even better.

Scores in jianpo are available on sites such as www.hulusi.com et al

I have a hulusi book brought back from HK (thanks X) which along with the scores has 2 cd's: one with hulusi plus backing track and the other just the backing track. Heaven!

The bawu has the same fingering as the hulusi and it is possible to play hulusi tunes on the bawu....just. With the hulusi the higher octaves are possible because the hulusi is balanced with the lips. this is not possible on the bawu. I'm less familar with bawu tunes but parts of some hulusi tunes play at incredibly fast speeds, with the drone on and double -tongueing. I have tried playing a F bawu instead of a F hulusi and it's much more difficult if not impossible (for me).

I think the bawu sounds fine on it's own.