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Post by yuhongmei123 on Jul 4, 2017 21:14:12 GMT
I was wondering: how can you tell by a recording without a video if an instrument is a pipa or a guzheng?
Basically, just by ear, how do you know the difference between the two?
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Post by 21strings on Aug 30, 2017 23:27:21 GMT
If you can't tell the difference from the actual tone of the instruments you should be able to tell from the playing. The guzheng will typically have more bends in the notes, and smoother bends. For example, to bend a note on pipa the string will slide along a wooden fret and you will hear that friction. Also notes on a guzheng will typically ring longer as the player switches strings between notes. On a pipa the notes usually sound more choppy and won't ring after the next note is played. Listen to each instrument a lot and you will hear distinct differences. Hope that helps!
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Post by davidmdahl on Aug 31, 2017 18:44:32 GMT
I didn't notice this post back in July. Adding to the reply by 21strings, I find the pipa to have a brighter tone. The standard technique of a lun (five finger tremolo) is pretty distinctive as well, and much different sounding than the guzheng tremolo.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by dawei on Aug 31, 2017 19:15:54 GMT
A few other differences between the pipa and guzheng:
The pipa, with only 4 strings and frets, can play more articulated melodies easier than the guzheng, which has more inherent sustain and legato than the pipa.
Older recordings with the pre-reform pipa and guzheng do not have this problem, as the two instruments really sounded different.
Now, both instruments are strung with the typical hybrid nylon/metal/plastic strings that have been around for several decades. Both instruments are now played with artificial fingernails.
Before the guzheng was strung with wire strings, the pipa had silk strings, and pipa players used their own fingernails. The two instruments would never have been confused on recordings.
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