Liezi,
Hopefully, you've found that Facebook page David mentioned (it was started up by the founder of this forum, by the way)- if you haven't found it, it is this one:
www.facebook.com/groups/guqinguqin/At the moment, the most useful resource book for an independent/mostly self-learning student of the guqin is the book "Standards of the Guqin" (2nd edition) by Juni Yeung of the Toronto Guqin Society:
Hard copy format:
www.lulu.com/shop/juni-yeung/standards-of-the-guqin/paperback/product-20288135.htmlEbook format:
www.lulu.com/shop/juni-yeung/standards-of-the-guqin/ebook/product-20269507.htmlThe most information-rich websites on guqin are:
Peiyou Chang's website:
www.peiyouqin.comJohn Thompson's website:
www.silkqin.com (note: John Thompson mainly does historically-informed performance of guqin, i.e. he attempts to reconstruct early versions of pieces in as historically-accurate manner as possible, rather than play versions of them that are now current/popular. Since they are best suited for that purpose, he also prefers to play with silk strings. His website strongly reflects these preferences and interests. )
And, of course, the guqin Facebook page mentioned earlier. There are *many* experienced players active on that page, and resources such as translations, electronic copies of guqin manuscripts, and tablatures are uploaded there from time to time.
Now, to answer your further questions:
- How difficult the instrument is to string, tune, and maintain depends in large part upon what kind of strings you choose to use. That said, all types of guqin strings are considerably more durable than strings for most other instruments. Given proper care, it is unlikely that you will need to replace strings more often than once every five years. (Unless you get curious and want to play around with several brands/types of strings, that is...)
There are currently three different string types for guqin: metal-nylon, synthetic, and silk. Of these, metal-nylon is the most popular and widely-used type, while silk is the most traditional. Each string type has a distinct timbre; none can be considered clearly "better" than the others in a musical sense- it all depends on your personal taste, and how you intend to play.
Metal-nylon strings are very cumbersome to string, as putting on each string entails pulling hard on the string and maintaining the string tension with your arm while you wrap the end of the string around the "goose feet" (the feet below the guqin that keeps the instrument's base off the table it is placed on). Fortunately, you will not have to do this stringing often. Most guqin come with metal-nylon strings already installed, and according to my teacher, a set of metal-nylon strings can easily last ten years. Once installed, metal-nylon strings are very low-maintenance, as they do not go out of tune as often as the other string types, are minimally affected by climate and humidity changes, last longer than the other string types, and do not require periodic conditioning.
Silk strings are quite easy to string- after all, silk is a less stiff material than steel, so you won't have to pull so hard when wrapping the strings around the "goose feet". After initial installation, silk strings will stretch out and slacken, requiring one or two more restringings before stabilizing. Silk strings are more high-maintenance than metal or synthetic- they are sensitive to temperature and humidity changes, especially the latter, and overly abrupt changes can cause them to go out of tune, or occasionally to snap. So, with silk strings, you'll have to tune more often and keep an eye on the environmental conditions around your guqin (it's a bit like violin gut strings in this regard). Also, silk strings need to be periodically conditioned with a certain water-soluble compound which is usually supplied together with the strings- basically, you make a paste by dissolving some of the supplied powder and rub the strings gently with that paste. That keeps the strings supple and guards against snapping. Some metal-string partisans like to argue that silk strings are less durable, but given proper care that really isn't as significant a factor as they make it out to be. According to the silk-stringed qin specialist John Thompson, a properly-cared for set of silk strings can last for about 7 years, although they begin to deteriorate in sound quality after 5. Still a good long time.
Synthetic strings are about as easy to string as silk, but, like silk, usually require restringing once before the tuning will stabilize. On the other hand, synthetic strings are less sensitive to temperature and humidity compared to silk. They also don't need the sort of conditioning that is needed for silk strings. I am not sure how long they last, since synthetic strings for guqin are a quite new development. However, they will be at least as durable as silk strings.
As you can see, stringing and maintenance differs depending on string type. The body of the guqin itself requires little maintenance if you don't abuse it; if you live in a very dry climate a case humidifier might be necessary, but that is about all.
Although you need to tune more often when using silk strings, and to a lesser extent synthetic strings, the tuning process itself is fast and straightforward. It's basically tuning by harmonics- I've heard that there is something similar on guitar? Of course, on guitar, tuning by harmonics is not very accurate since the modern guitar normally uses 12-tone equal temperament, the notes of which don't correspond exactly to pitches produced via harmonics. The guqin does not use 12-tone equal temperament, and harmonics are an important part of its playing techniques, so tuning to the harmonics is more important. It's best to get a guqin player- any guqin player- to show the tuning method to you. It won't take more than 5 minutes. And no, using an electronic tuner alone will not work, as nearly all electronic tuners today also use 12-tone equal temperament. Guqin players do use electronic tuners, but usually we use them only to set a reference pitch for one of the strings; then, we tune the other strings relative to that string using harmonics.
As with guqins, the most reliable source for guqin strings in the US is still Carol at Sound of Asia. She has both metal-nylon and silk strings, although her silk strings are expensive (very good quality though!)... if you want synthetic strings, then you will have to get them from Chinese Culture Net, the shop associated with the North America Guqin Association based in California:
www.chineseculture.net/musicmall/instruments/htmls/guqin/naganewsilkstring.htmNote that although the Chinese Culture Net site claims that their strings are "New Silk Strings", that's a bit deceptive as they are actually selling synthetic strings. The sound of these strings is quite different from actual silk strings, although one characteristic they do share with silk strings is the lack of metallic noise in its timbre, which metal-nylon strings have.
Lastly, I would like to note that the songs you mentioned, such as A Fisherman's Song and Guangling San, are very advanced pieces. Do not expect to be able to play them within your first two years or so, even if you are studying with a teacher. That said, liking these pieces is great, as that'll be a nice motivator for you to keep learning and get closer to your goal of playing them
Good luck!