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Post by guzhenglover on Nov 23, 2006 3:59:12 GMT
Dear guqin lovers
How do you clean your guqins? What kind of cloth/fabric do you use, and do you use a cleaning agent? How to you get rid of the dust? If possible, I'd like to avoid chemical agents as I don't care very much for something like that to go on the guqin...
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Post by Si on Nov 23, 2006 5:16:19 GMT
well at the moment i use an old sock and no cleaning agent - but i suppose there will be a better way to do it.........
BTW - i dont know if you have noticed then same on your qin but at the months go by i notice more mini blemishes on the surface of the varnish. Is this normal?
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Post by guzhenglover on Nov 23, 2006 6:18:41 GMT
The old sock does sound like a good idea, though I think with some fabrics one needs to be careful that there isn't anything in there that could potentially scratch the surface of a guqin (like you know how you wouldn't use certain kinds of cloths when you wash/clean the car?).
I think that, especially if you bought you guqin new, then some small markings and/or scratches are quite normal as it's all part of the wear and tear. But I could be wrong...
When are you due back in Singapore?
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Post by Si on Nov 23, 2006 6:51:16 GMT
Chinese new year!
I might bring my qin as well.
Did you try the teacher in Chinatown point and the cd shop?
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Post by guzhenglover on Nov 23, 2006 7:01:18 GMT
No The teacher you are thinking of is no longer there. What CD shop are you referring to? Not the same shop in Chinatown Point, right?
And what's your guqin like? I seem to remember your talking about your guqin in a separate thread, but I've forgotten now...
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Post by blueharp on Nov 23, 2006 9:23:00 GMT
I use a microfibre cloth. It picks up the dust quite nicely. The lacquer of the guqin is pretty tough. Urushi based lacquers are impervious to acid!
If you really feel it needs to be washed, try a drop of liquid soap on a damp (not wet) cloth. Follow with a wipe with a cloth dampened with just water, then a wipe with a dry cloth to absorb the water.
This trick is used on many instruments. The key is to have the cloths just damp, not wet, and work quickly.
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Post by Charlie Huang on Nov 23, 2006 9:25:00 GMT
A handkerchief. Slip it under the strings, folded flat, then slide it up and down the instrument. Do it before play, after play and in between if you see dust/dead skin start to appear on the surface.
I've seen qins with loads of dust on them. Not good as when you slide on your thumb the dust collects there and you get a dark mark on your thumb nail.
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Post by guzhenglover on Nov 24, 2006 3:02:18 GMT
So would you guys suggest using a microfibre cloth to cover the guqin temporarily as well in between playing sessions?
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Post by Si on Nov 24, 2006 7:06:05 GMT
nO micro fibres are for cleaning delicate stuff - you can cover the qin with any cover but if you practice everyday then why do you need to cover it?
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Post by Si on Nov 24, 2006 14:00:57 GMT
are you sure?  I saw him ( Mr. Tay Soo How) in May when he organised a quqin concert with Dai Xiao Lin. You can page him on 9 701 1090 (god knows why he still carries a pager these days - i cant even remeber how to use them!) or call the shop 536 1238. |
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Post by guzhenglover on Nov 27, 2006 8:35:25 GMT
Hi syburn
How bizarre. I don't think I knew a teacher by this name. I only knew of Kee Chee Koon, and the numbers are the same as what you've given me! From what I understand recently, Mr Kee's wife has taken up guqin teaching in his place, though I could be wrong (and if this is true, then could his wife be known by one of the names you just told me?).
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Post by Si on Nov 27, 2006 9:29:16 GMT
That is strange.
Maybe the biz card I have is for another teacher from that little shop.
I know the Singaporean menbers of this fourn will know whats what and what not..... contact them, also ask at Karl Heng Music - they are very helpful.......
So can the mans wife not teach you? Or try La salle college - actually i forget the college name but there was a music campus behind the new (and old) Cathay Cinima. I started learning Er-hu there.
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Post by guzhenglover on Nov 28, 2006 2:41:19 GMT
Thanks syburn. Before I decided to teach myself the guqin, I did make enquiries everywhere in most if not all music shops, but really I think the only one who taught the guqin was Kee Chee Koon. I do have many Singaporean friends who are either Chinese music enthusiasts or Chinese musicians and I've asked them about the guqin situation, but most people either don't know anything or have told me to go to Kee Chee Koon. I suppose Kee Chee Koon's wife could teach me; but not to worry, I am happy with the way I am progressing on the guqin at the moment. You guys on this forum - particularly those of you who've taught yourselves the guqin (and quite successfully, it seems) - have given me the determination and the inspiration to do the same.
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