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Post by simple88 on Dec 19, 2014 12:46:45 GMT
I bought a 5" Guzheng a year ago but only used it for few months, self learning from Sound of China website. After that, I have stopped practising for more than 6 months as I had to go back to full time job. Recently, I began watching and listening to Carol's Guzheng video during my break time at work and again she has inspired me to go back to where I have left off. I really wished I could play like Carol one day! She is so inspiring!! The only set back I've got is that I find my guzheng's sound not as sharp or as 'sweet' as the ones demonstrated by Carol. I know she uses quality Guzheng to demonstrate. I bought a budget Guzheng (non-branded) cos' I was advised by my friend that I should not spend too much as a beginner. This is expected as 'you get what you pay for'!
My question here...is there a way to make my Guzheng sound better or 'sweeter'? It is currently tuned to D major but the tone sounded low and hollow. I wonder if I tune it higher, would it improve the sound and would it affect the music which require D Major settings? I do not have any music background. I took up guzheng lessons from my friend 2 years ago after watching her play at a few social events. She has now moved to another area and it's not convenient for me to take lessons from her so I decided to self learn from watching Carol's training videos.
I understand that the quality of the sound has to do with the make, wood used etc. Is it possible for me to tune it higher to make it sound sharper or 'sweeter'? I know at some stage I will need to upgrade my current Guzheng if I decided to take it to the next level. Like some other beginners, I'm also lost with which good brand or model to invest in without having to spend a fortune.
I would appreciate some advice from the experts.
Thank you.
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Post by davidmdahl on Dec 19, 2014 18:41:16 GMT
Welcome to the forum, simple88. Did you leave a digit out of your description of your guzheng, or did you mean that it is five feet long? The typical guzheng is about 64", while travel models are about 10" shorter. Shorter guzhengs do not have quite the sound quality of a full-size guzheng, so if that's what you have there are limits to what you can do to improve it. I suggest contacting Carol directly. She is going to be much more familiar with your guzheng than anyone here, and best equipped to provide useful suggestions.
The quality of a guzheng is only one factor in the sound you get from it. The other main factor is the player, and how the guzheng strings are plucked. My teacher has devoted a lot of attention to my plucking technique, and still corrects me when I get lazy. I am not sure how to boil it down simply, but the basic idea is to develop strength in the fingers so that the strings are plucked from the side of the string rather than the top. Speed of plucking matters for getting a clean sound, as well as the angle of the plucking. I don't know that these comments are adequate for describing guzheng plucking technique, but maybe they are enough to encourage further work on your part.
I hope that you can find another teacher. I had a similar experience years ago when I first started the guzheng. After a handful of lessons, my teacher at the time left for China. When she eventually returned, she was too busy to continue teaching. Fortunately, I was able to start again in Spring of 2013 with an excellent teacher. I found that much of the self-study I did between teachers did not accomplish much, and instead led me to some bad habits that had to be unlearned. I know that teachers are not always available, and we have to do what we can, but it is worth trying hard to find a good teacher. Maybe your friend can help you via Skype.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by upstreamsalmon on Dec 20, 2014 16:14:28 GMT
About the tone quality, one thing to _try_ might be switching strings. And ask Carol!
This is just generic advice from someone who plays other stringed instruments - guitar, bass, harp, octave mandolin. Take it FWIW.
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Post by simple88 on Dec 23, 2014 12:03:35 GMT
Welcome to the forum, simple88. Did you leave a digit out of your description of your guzheng, or did you mean that it is five feet long? The typical guzheng is about 64", while travel models are about 10" shorter. Shorter guzhengs do not have quite the sound quality of a full-size guzheng, so if that's what you have there are limits to what you can do to improve it. I suggest contacting Carol directly. She is going to be much more familiar with your guzheng than anyone here, and best equipped to provide useful suggestions. The quality of a guzheng is only one factor in the sound you get from it. The other main factor is the player, and how the guzheng strings are plucked. My teacher has devoted a lot of attention to my plucking technique, and still corrects me when I get lazy. I am not sure how to boil it down simply, but the basic idea is to develop strength in the fingers so that the strings are plucked from the side of the string rather than the top. Speed of plucking matters for getting a clean sound, as well as the angle of the plucking. I don't know that these comments are adequate for describing guzheng plucking technique, but maybe they are enough to encourage further work on your part. I hope that you can find another teacher. I had a similar experience years ago when I first started the guzheng. After a handful of lessons, my teacher at the time left for China. When she eventually returned, she was too busy to continue teaching. Fortunately, I was able to start again in Spring of 2013 with an excellent teacher. I found that much of the self-study I did between teachers did not accomplish much, and instead led me to some bad habits that had to be unlearned. I know that teachers are not always available, and we have to do what we can, but it is worth trying hard to find a good teacher. Maybe your friend can help you via Skype. Best wishes, David |
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Post by simple88 on Dec 23, 2014 12:09:36 GMT
Hi David,
Thanks for your response and advice. Yes, I did miss out a digit. I meant to put 5 ft not 5"..lol, must the be smallest Guzheng in the world. I've got a travel size. I guess you're right, the full size does produce better quality sound. I will consider getting a full size later when I decided to take it to the next level. Thanks again for your advice.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Post by simple88 on Dec 23, 2014 12:11:29 GMT
About the tone quality, one thing to _try_ might be switching strings. And ask Carol! This is just generic advice from someone who plays other stringed instruments - guitar, bass, harp, octave mandolin. Take it FWIW. |
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Post by simple88 on Dec 23, 2014 12:12:33 GMT
Hiya, thanks for your response. What is FWIW?
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Post by upstreamsalmon on Dec 24, 2014 0:13:57 GMT
For what it's worth
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