(Another) Looking for erhu instruction in Boston

[jasa73]

Hello!

I have been wanting to learning to play the erhu for some time. I finally took the leap and bought an erhu. Now i need a teacher! I live in Boston. I've searched this forum and it seems the information provided from previous posts may not be valid anymore. There is a local teacher here in Boston that I immediately found with a google search but its not clear to me if he's teaching anymore or not accepting new students. I called and emailed a couple weeks ago with no response. I also reached out to a Chinese performing arts foundation here in the area who said they'd send my contact info to any erhu teachers. Perhaps I'm being impatient but i havent heard from any. So I thought id try this forum to see if anyone had any direct leads to a local teacher they can point me to. 

Thanks for your time and I appreciate any help!

Jay

[davidmdahl]

Welcome to the forum, Jay. It sounds like you are doing many of the right things, starting with looking for a teacher. I highly recommend studying with a teacher if at all possible. I don't have any Chinese music contacts in Boston myself, so I can only search via Google. I assume that you already contacted the Boston Chinese Music Association (BCMA) via www.bcma.us/index.html . If you have not received a response, you might try again. Keep in mind that this time of year, a lot of people travel, or are getting ready for school. Some Chinese musicians, especially those of a 'certain age', are not entirely comfortable with email, so that can slow things down as well.

If you don't receive a response from sending your query via the BCMA contact page, you might try the email address buried in the Chinese text on the Event page. It looks like you just missed some sort of event on August 10.

I also see a reference to the Boston Erhu Ensemble at www.a2zbizonline.com/youth_eastern_string_english.html There is some contact information listed on this page.

Did you try to contact Shantao Lin? www.zhantaolin.com/#!contact/c2q4

Good luck!

Best wishes,

David

[jasa73]

Thanks for the reply David. I've learned with instruments, studying with a teacher is the only way I stick with them and make any meaningful progress.

I did try Mr Lin a couple times but did not hear back. Yes I was thinking with back to school and holiday I may need to be more patient. I'm just anxious to get started.

I just sent a message to BCMA. Hopefully one of the lines ive put into the water works.

Thanks again!

[davidmdahl]

I have the same experience with lessons and learning instruments. Besides the much better chance of success, lessons are so much fun! It is also a lot easier to get plugged in socially with other musicians, and get performance opportunities.

If you don't get any bites, I suggest keeping an eye out for Chinese cultural events, and concerts. We are probably past the time for an Autumn Moon festival, but if nothing else, there should be something going on for Chinese New Year near the end of January in 2017. Hopefully though, you will find someone before then.

Don't restrict your search to erhu teachers. Often times teachers and performers on other Chinese instruments like guzheng will be plugged into the local community, and be able to refer you.

Best wishes,

David

[edcat7]

Hi Jay and welcome,

David has given good advice and I second getting tuition. If however you can make a start by bowing correctly, it will save you a lot of time(and money. Eason has a good bowing video on YT.

Ed

[jasa73]

Great news I have a response from a teacher! I'm so excited to get started. I've been playing on my own after watching as much as I can on Youtube about bowing and such. I'm happy to say that I can play some basic tunes without it sounding like a dying cat. I suspect this has a lot to do with the quality of the erhu I purchased and it may be more forgiving. Also had ordered "Playing erhu" by Patty Chan in case i failed to obtain a teacher. But im excited to have access to a teacher before i develop any bad habits.

[davidmdahl]

That is great news, Jay. I hope you have a lot of fun. I suggest that you be patient with yourself, and enjoy every step of the way. Please let us know how it goes.

Best wishes,

David