My Erhu sounds good?

[warpxz]

Hi, I am having some problems with my erhu, right now, I am preparing SaiMa for a little presentation that comes in four months, and sometimes I think that something is making a noise gritty, maybe could be the rosin or I need to change the bow, or maybe I am touching it a little strong. I will leave here an excerpt drive.google.com/file/d/0BzIfwvGjtY3EdHNVZFBjUnJ4MkU/view?usp=sharing

[edcat7]

Without seeing a video or playing your erhu it's difficult to comment. Since you're new to the erhu perhaps it hasn't broken in yet. Your rendition of Sai Ma is very good, perhaps you've played the violin before.

If I may comment I do the same too and my teacher nags me about it: there are parts to Sai Ma where it's played quietly and parts that increase in volume. It will sound even better once you have sussed that out. But well done.

[Minh]

Helloo Warpxz!
I can't comment on the noise problem because i'm not even sure what you are talking about, but I hope you don't mind some little comments on the other stuff I can hear.

1- You might want to focus on your third finger of the inner string, you don't put it on the right spot I think, it sounds flat. Use a tuner to check that. While you are at it check all the rest just to be sure, could never hurt!

2- Practice it slow if you have time, like reaaaaaaaally slow. Make sure each notes are clear before going faster, same with the length of each notes, careful about the rhythm, it's getting slurred in there. Nicole Li has a video where she made for others to practice that piece slowly, you can look it up, it is definitely helpful, good practice video, but do use your ears to listen if it's the same pitch, not sure if you already know that video but just putting it out there for others who read this thread.

3- Some parts need more bow, ex. 6. 6 5 3 2 5 3 1 6. (I hope I wrote the notes down right) but that part, the first time it has to be played fully. Strong, loud and full of bow.

4- The first note (la, or 6) of the first 4 measures should have an accent/emphasis on them. Hmm not sure how to really explain this one.

I might be wrong for those advises too, if I am please correct me. Overall it sounds pretty good!

[warpxz]

Thanks edcat7 and Minh, after reading yours responses, I think that I improved a little the sound, especially with the point 3 that Minh says and ed said too, and about the point 4, I think that a "accent/emphasis" means do something like a vibrato or something similar, is my third month with my erhu and is still a little complicated haha.
Thanks a lot

[Minh]

Sorry I thought you were playing for a long time haha.