Comparing between Shaoqin and Traditional Erhu?

[onegod]

Hi to all erhu sifu here,

Can you share with me your thought about as follows:-

1) What do you think about comparing the sound between shaoqin and traditional erhu?

2) Which sound better?

3) Which one you prefer?

4) Worth buying one of shaoqin erhu? 

5) Any thought of comparing the two erhu materials used?


 

[davidmdahl]

I've only heard George Gao's shaoqin erhu in recordings and videos. He certainly makes it sound good, but I imagine he could make just about any erhu sound good. I understand that the shaoqin erhu is rather expensive, so I have never considered it very seriously as an option. I like the traditional erhu just fine. I also don't have any problem with the snake skin, since I don't normally need to travel internationally with my erhu. This is more of a problem for Canadian residents. I don't know for sure that George Gao designed the shaoqin erhu to avoid dealing with the hassles of traveling with snakeskin, but that's my bet. There are other innovations in the shaoqin erhu as well that are not particularly useful to me that suit George. Everyone gets to make their own decision about what they like and can afford. That's why I drive a Hyundai rather than a BMW or Tesla.

Best wishes,

David

[sanmenxia]

It seems to me it's really designed for playing violin pieces, with the qianjin moved up the neck so the strings tuned at D,A becomes G,D by making the open string length much longer.

But it can be also played as a "normal" erhu by putting the qianjin at the usual position for an erhu.

[eugene]

1) What do you think about comparing the sound between shaoqin and traditional erhu?
shaoqin sound more like a violin rather than erhu.

2) Which sound better?
Its really depend on your preference. shaoqin sound more loud and bright but lack of mellow and sweet compare to an erhu.


3) Which one you prefer?
I prefer erhu which is still more mellow and sweet.

4) Worth buying one of shaoqin erhu?
If I'm not wrong, its cost about US$5000 which compare to a good and well-known erhu its around the same price.
Unless you really like this kind of sound. Another advantage of this shaoqin its movable qianjin,as such you dont need to change string or erhu to play
The Great Wall Caprice or Reflection Of The Moon.

5) Any thought of comparing the two erhu materials used?
the only difference between materials, its the snake skin. If you prefer non killing then i guess its a good to choice.

[edcat7]

If I had $5000 spare to spend on an erhu I would get YKM's Indian small leaf sandalwood erhu. It would not depreciate in value as well.

I have finally stopped buying any more erhus after I bought HHR's Ming Ching aged rosewood a couple of years ago.

(+ 1 for the Hyundai.(i10))

Ed