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Hello!
Jun 26, 2017 10:30:20 GMT
Post by yuhongmei123 on Jun 26, 2017 10:30:20 GMT
I just got my guzheng yesterday and I am eager to start practicing. However, I have noticed that the notes are only in the pentatonic scale (I think in F). In the sheet music I have for the guzheng, I do not know how to play certain strings like 7 or 4 because I cannot find them (My strings are labeled by number on the side). Does anyone have any advice? Also, does anyone have any reputable sites to get picks from? And for pick size, what do I measure? My fingernail width or my finger? Thank you!
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Hello!
Jun 26, 2017 12:39:33 GMT
Post by dawei on Jun 26, 2017 12:39:33 GMT
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Hello!
Jun 26, 2017 15:46:00 GMT
Post by davidmdahl on Jun 26, 2017 15:46:00 GMT
In the USA, Sound of Asia is an excellent source of supplies for guzheng. Carol Chang, the proprietor, plays guzheng well, so she should a good source of advice on what size of picks would be a good choice for you. Google Sound of Asia for the URL.
If you are not in the USA, please let us know your country so we can advise you.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by yuhongmei123 on Jun 26, 2017 18:47:53 GMT
Thank you David and Dawei for the responses! I checked on sound of asia, and it shows how to measure fingers for picks! And also thank you for the info on how 4s and 7s are made, I didn't know. I live in the US in an are where guzheng teachers are not common so do any one you know any good books on guzheng for instruction for beginners that I could buy (written in English)? Thank you all again!
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Hello!
Jun 26, 2017 19:53:37 GMT
Post by dawei on Jun 26, 2017 19:53:37 GMT
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Post by yuhongmei123 on Jun 26, 2017 22:05:05 GMT
Thank you for all the links, david! However, almost all of Eason's guzheng books are sold out and some of the other books are in chinese. But thank you very much for the help!
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Hello!
Jun 26, 2017 23:38:16 GMT
Post by yuhongmei123 on Jun 26, 2017 23:38:16 GMT
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Hello!
Jun 27, 2017 1:24:43 GMT
Post by davidmdahl on Jun 27, 2017 1:24:43 GMT
There is a guzheng tutorial in English on Sound of China, written by Carol Chang. Bei Bei He also has a few guzheng books in English on her website. Google on guzheng bei bei.
I had a teacher for a few years on guzheng, so I have not used any guzheng books in English. I have Bei Bei's first book somewhere, but never used it.
Best wishes,
David
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Hello!
Jun 27, 2017 18:56:30 GMT
Post by yuhongmei123 on Jun 27, 2017 18:56:30 GMT
Thank you! I found the books on her website. On another note, do you know if normal adhesive tape is the same as the tape used for nails on the guzheng?
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Hello!
Jun 27, 2017 20:30:08 GMT
Post by davidmdahl on Jun 27, 2017 20:30:08 GMT
I use guzheng tape from Sound of Asia, but if you can find medical adhesive tape that works for you, that is fine. I like the guzheng tape since it is the right width and has the right amount of stickiness. Medical tape is too wide, so you may need to trim it down. As I wrote though, whatever works for you is fine.
Best wishes,
David
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Hello!
Jun 28, 2017 20:07:51 GMT
Post by yuhongmei123 on Jun 28, 2017 20:07:51 GMT
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Hello!
Jun 29, 2017 6:32:46 GMT
Post by davidmdahl on Jun 29, 2017 6:32:46 GMT
Bei Bei's books all use the jianpu (numeric) notation. Jianpu is the notation for Chinese instruments such as guzheng. I highly recommend learning it, if you are interesting in learning to play Chinese music on guzheng.I don't think you will find jianpu to be the most challenging part of learning to play guzheng.
I have a set of guzheng books that I bought years ago from Carol, with the tunes in both staff and jianpu notation. I bought it mostly for the English, which I thought might help me understand playing techniques. Unfortunately, the English was not rendered by someone who knows much English, so the text is often comical when it is not mostly gibberish. I use the jianpu tunes though since the pages are large and the paper is thick. I am pretty sure that the set is out of print. Carol has not listed it for years.
Best wishes,
David
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Hello!
Jun 29, 2017 23:03:14 GMT
Post by yuhongmei123 on Jun 29, 2017 23:03:14 GMT
Bei Bei's books all use the jianpu (numeric) notation. Jianpu is the notation for Chinese instruments such as guzheng. I highly recommend learning it, if you are interesting in learning to play Chinese music on guzheng.I don't think you will find jianpu to be the most challenging part of learning to play guzheng. I have a set of guzheng books that I bought years ago from Carol, with the tunes in both staff and jianpu notation. I bought it mostly for the English, which I thought might help me understand playing techniques. Unfortunately, the English was not rendered by someone who knows much English, so the text is often comical when it is not mostly gibberish. I use the jianpu tunes though since the pages are large and the paper is thick. I am pretty sure that the set is out of print. Carol has not listed it for years. Best wishes, David Thank you for this info! Actually, the reason I asked if numeric notation was used is because I find it much easier to use than staff notation (in my opinion). Hopefully I will buy this book soon!
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Hello!
Jun 30, 2017 6:34:03 GMT
Post by davidmdahl on Jun 30, 2017 6:34:03 GMT
[/quote]Thank you for this info! Actually, the reason I asked if numeric notation was used is because I find it much easier to use than staff notation (in my opinion). Hopefully I will buy this book soon! [/quote] That's great! Jianpu is easier. People are more often intimidated by jianpu, but it is indeed easy to learn and use, and it fits traditional Chinese music and instruments like a glove.
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Hello!
Aug 30, 2017 23:20:41 GMT
Post by 21strings on Aug 30, 2017 23:20:41 GMT
Thank you! I found the books on her website. On another note, do you know if normal adhesive tape is the same as the tape used for nails on the guzheng? I have used medical tape many times, I just cut the width in half but it works great.
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