"The Sheng Player" website is live again.

[theshengplayer]

Dear Chinese music / Sheng lovers,

"The Sheng Player" website is live again. This website contains information and FAQ about the Sheng.

Background of "The Sheng Player" website:
This website was launched on 22 November 2003 with a different website name and domain name. The website was shut down on 29 November 2010. On 11 August 2015, The Sheng Player website was ‘live’ again with a new domain name.

www.theshengplayer.net


Thanks and have a great day!


Regards,
Chris Lim
The Sheng Player

[edcat7]

Hi Chris

will look at that website and I also have a question:

I play the hulusi and we occasionally get questions about changing the reed, which I can do with the hulusi. Perhaps you could tell us, pictures would be great too, how a sheng reed is changed.

Also I've put blobs of melted candle wax to fine tune the reed. Have you done this with sheng tuning?

Best wishes

Ed

[theshengplayer]

Hi Ed,

There is a youtube video on fixing the sheng reed.

youtu.be/eDFlMu9ccqo

This video is uploaded by my friend.

It is necessary to fine tune the sheng reed with bee wax (mixed with cinnabar 朱砂), not candle wax.

We do not use wax to fine tune the hulusi or bawu reed. Generally, a well-made hulusi or bawu should be quite in tune. For professional hulusi and bawu, the bamboo or wooden pipes are tunable. We will only adjust the level of the reed "tongue" if there is serious issue with the tone.

Thanks.

[edcat7]

Thanks Chris,great video. Early on in my musical journey I bought a C hulusi. When it arrived it was larger than my usual C hulusis and sounded 'strange'. I tried extending the middle pipe and also putting wax on the reed. Eventually I gave it away.

Much later I found out that the C hulusi was in fact a G hulusi. Pity because I can really do with a G hulusi now.

[theshengplayer]

You are welcome.

That's a pity. You can get yourself another one online but make sure that the seller is trustworthy.

Note: Remember to hang the hulusi upside down (mouthpiece pointing down) after playing. This will help to dry the interior of the gourd. Normally, I will hang it on the wall.

Cheers!

[song]

Hi Chris,

Nice to hear from you again. I didn't know you are still active with the Sheng. Hope everything is well with you.

SW

[theshengplayer]

Hi SW,

Nice to see you here. Yup, I am fine.

I had been "inactive" for a while (CCA) but all the while I am still involved in music teaching activities.
By the way, I am back to CCA teaching this year.

I just went to Eason on last Saturday but you happened to be out of office.

Keep in touch!

Chris