New to Forum New to ERHU

[johnniez]

Hi all... New guy here. Live in Ontario Canada 20 minutes from Niagara Falls.. Been reading a lot on here. Great forum. Cuddo's to those who run it..

I ordered a cheap Erhu off ebay.. $100 bux Canadian Free shipping. lol.. I figure it won't be the best of the instrument, but being 72 years old figure I did not want to spend a ton of money..
Said on the sheet made with Beechwood.. Well thats at least in the hardwood family. So might be ok. But not the best.

What do you think about the Beech wood.?

I am thinking I should at the very least Good new strings, Nice mellow bridge, Some waxed thread for the Qianjing, wow.. learning chinese already lol.. and what ever other I need to give the cheap instrument a chance..

Should I get these while it is still on route from China.. OR wait and see how it works.

I been playing guitar, bagpipes, violin, banjo and a few others professionally most of my life. Retired now but wanted a new venture to keep the grey madder in my brain going.

Any suggestions or help be nice.

thanks
Johnnie

here is link to Erhu on ebay

At the very bottom of the page on ebay you will see it says Beech wood and Python skin. Must be imitation Python skin and the price they ask..

www.ebay.ca/itm/361349902474

[edcat7]

Hi Johnniez and welcome.

As you know your erhu isn't the best of the bunch and you will get some sound with it. It may take some time breaking it in and in the meantime I have a couple of suggestions:

Buy an erhu mute. The mute will tone down the screeches;
apply hand cream to the snakeskin.

Since you also play the violin you should master bowing fairly quickly, however Eason does a good YT video on bowing and basic techniques.

Best wishes,

Ed

[johnniez]

Feb 16, 2017 0:33:33 GMT edcat7 said:

Hi Johnniez and welcome.

As you know your erhu isn't the best of the bunch and you will get some sound with it. It may take some time breaking it in and in the meantime I have a couple of suggestions:

Buy an erhu mute. The mute will tone down the screeches;
apply hand cream to the snakeskin.

Since you also play the violin you should master bowing fairly quickly, however Eason does a good YT video on bowing and basic techniques.

Best wishes,

Ed

Hi Ed

Thanks for tips.. 

I ordered extra strings, a mute, cord to tie string to neck, protector for skin, tuners  ,, can remember others.. Drain Bamage !! ;-)

After going through all the forum I am really nervous now due to reading about CITIES. CITIES stuff here in Canada is so strict..On the listing for my crappy erhu that's has been shipped it says Beechwood material, Python skin.. Does not say anything about CITIES included and when I ordered I did not have a clue about CITIES   I get it tho. Time something was done. Their not allowing hardly anything '' different '' in the country. Some woods are a no no also.. ..

I emailed folks I got it from asking did they send CITIES with erhu.. They wrote me back..  hehe.  and said. Don't worry, we drop price really low for customs.. lol can't believe what I read..

Oh well ,, tis a great world.. Well if it gets scooped up, oh well. I will only be out $100.. Kick in the pants I spoz.. But at my age won't be so bad I wear diapers sometimes.. Hope its on THAT day. !!  lol ;-)

Do you or anyone reading this no anything about The House of May in Toronto area.. Looking at a couple of other erhu's, so if one on the way gets scooped  and they be about 1/2 hour from my home and wondering if there would be an issue or not.  Pm me reply if you or others have one.

I always been pretty good at messin around with instruments.. just a thing I have about tinkering. learned a lot tinkerin ..;>)

Have a guddun

Johnnie

[edcat7]

Johnnie if the worse comes to worst and your erhu gets confisicated, you can always get an eco-erhu. I have the cheapest one from Eason and I would guess it's tone is better than the most budget phython skin erhus. The bow included in my one is excellent; my teacher says the bow included is my much better than the erhu itself.

[johnniez]

HI..
well I went an ordered www.easonmusicstore.com/products/Synthetic-Skin-Beijing-Black-Sandalwood-Erhu/385

I like how yours sounds on video.. Hope same live. lol.. I went with the black.. bit more cash tho than yours no biggy..

If the cheap one shows up and any good to play. I can use that for outside playing in my wheelchair. so that bo ok.

Thanks for the Synth tip

Johnnie

[edcat7]

Feb 28, 2017 16:26:49 GMT johnniez said:

HI..
well I went an ordered www.easonmusicstore.com/products/Synthetic-Skin-Beijing-Black-Sandalwood-Erhu/385

I like how yours sounds on video.. Hope same live. lol.. I went with the black.. bit more cash tho than yours no biggy..

If the cheap one shows up and any good to play. I can use that for outside playing in my wheelchair. so that bo ok.

Thanks for the Synth tip

Johnnie

Congratulations on your new erhu. If Sung Wah is reading this I'm happy to accept commissions

[fatpanda]

Sorry to hijack this thread but would like to take the opportunity to introduce myself.

Name: Fat Panda
age: 43
Sex: (yes please!...sorry) Male
ethnic: Chinese
experience with erhu: age 12-16...age 43 - ?
Location: Singapore

Started when I was 12 enrolling in the high school's Chinese Orchestra. Play a little on and off a little after high school graduation. Have not touch it for 10 years until 2 months ago. Decided to restart and signed up for lessons from one of the many schools available here. Teacher much younger than me but good and patience.

Hi everyone!

[davidmdahl]

Welcome to the forum, Fat Panda. I am very happy for you that erhu lessons are accessible. You are fortunate to live in an area with good teachers. My favorite source for Chinese instruments and supplies is Eason Music, which is in Singapore.

I look forward to reading your posts regarding your erhu journey.

Best wishes,

David

[eugene]

Welcome Fat Panda, living Singapore have many advantage. You can directly buy erhu and accessories from toabao which are a lot cheaper.
Due to Singapore customs don't need CITES certificate at least for now.
But of course Eason is still the best if you are not sure what to get. Personally I also bought quite a few stuff from them as well.
There are also quite a number of free erhu lesson provide by PA CC Chinese Orchestra Group and you be surprise even they are free, these teacher are actually retired erhu player and they are quite pro and well-known as well.
And if you are interested to know more about how erhu is made there is one erhu maker is Singapore. Can you visit him if you are interested.

[fatpanda]

Thanks for the welcome. Will write my experience here in this forum.

[fatpanda]

There are an abundance of chinese instument seller here. I am having my lesson at a school/shop. Same as Eason. There are about 4-5 shops here. There are even teachers who are selling instruments directly to students.