Gaohu strung and tuned as erhu?

[lisa]

Hi, new to the forum.
I'd like to know what and if any problems with stringing and tuning a gaohu with erhu strings, if there is such a huge difference between the strings that doing so would stress the instrument.  I have a gaohu I could do this to, thus getting a lower pitch which I would prefer.  
I assume tuning down a gaohu strung with gaohu strings would result in "floppy" strings, but I am only guessing at that.  I'd like to putz around on the gaohu available to me before investing in an erhu, to see if I even have any skill and dexterity needed, I don't need another wall hanger hanging around the house.  I understand a gaohu might be quieter(?) which would be appreciated by the other people living with me, though I do see devices for muting are available to purchase.
Thank you for any advice on this.  I really do prefer lower toned instruments, such as a cello, but do very much appreciate the music I've heard on YouTube when I've searched for erhu music.  I've found some youtubes labeled gaohu music, but to be honest didn't notice a difference, though it may have been the songs played, it sounded just about as high/low as any erhu music I heard.  
I've noticed in the forum threads about people stringing erhu with zhonghu strings with warnings about thicker zhonghu strings stressing a precious instrument, to do so with an student model in case of damage.  I didn't see anything about gaohu strung with erhu or even zhonghu strings, so hopefully I'm not double posting a question already answered.
Best regards, Lisa

[paulv]

Hi Lisa,

I'd also be concerned that if you put on different strings, the qianjin (top nut made from string) would probably have to move, and this would cause problems with your fingering spacing (the notes would be spaced wider or narrower).

Since you're looking to "putz" around before investing in an erhu, just leave the gaohu tuned the way it is (should be G4 - D5, which is a fourth above the erhu (D4 - A4)) and play some songs in D major (the first key we learn, and easily available sheet music) to get a feel for the instrument even though the song will sound "funny" in some spots -- don't worry about it -- you're testing your skills/dexterity. Good luck!

Regards,
paul...

[lisa]

thanks for the reply, Paul. As it is, there is no qianjin, so that's so something else I'm going to have to research and set up. No bridge either, so I'll probably be placing a small order with Eason in the not too distant future. Best regards, LIsa

[lisa]

Just another quick question. Are all erhu instruments with an Octo or hex sided sound box? And do they all have that additional base on the bottom? I don't have a picture, but the overall length of the instrument is 32 inches, with a round soundbox, no base on the bottom. It looks like a gaohu to me, from the pictures I've googled.
Thanks, Lisa

[paulv]

I've never seen any erhus that had a round sound box -- they've all been hex/oct shape since all the wood pieces can be cut and glued together, which is much easier than trying to find a block of "good" wood and then use a large hole saw to make a hollow cylinder -- then what happens while cutting that big hole the builder finds some problems with the wood that weren't visible from the exterior of the wood block? So, making the box from a bunch of small pieces makes sense.

Also, some erhus come with a base and some do not -- I've seen them both ways (I personally prefer one with a base because it adds weight)

BTW, you can use a small piece of a tree branch (no bigger that 0.25" diameter) and about 0.5" long for a bridge (the drier wood the better). Check YouTube for instructions on tying the nut (qianjin) as it's not that difficult -- I've done it many times trying different materials, and my teacher back then was surprised that I did that.

Regards,

paul...

[lisa]

Thanks for the reply. It isn't one single piece of wood. It looks like gaohu pictures I've seen online in google images, in that it's different colors/types of wood cut, then pieced together to form a round soundbox, so not much different that the technique for making a hex/oct soundbox, it's just had the corners rounded down. I suppose I could ask the dimensions of the soundbox, I think that might explain whether it's a erhu with an unusual round soundbox, or a gaohu. I couldn't find an explanation of the overall length of a gaohu verses erhu, this one is 32", I don't know is gaohu differ only in the soundbox dimensions and they have the same post length or not, but have found dimensions mentioned for soundboxes. Regards, Lisa

[themodestokid]

A round soundbox would not need to be drilled out of a solid block, its sides could be heated and bent just as a guitar's or violin's side pieces.