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Post by lottie on Feb 21, 2018 22:01:20 GMT
Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum but have enjoyed reading lots of posts today, you lot know your stuff  I have long loved the sound of the erhu and the other day decided to purchase one and see if I can learn to play. My erhu is quite old (we think 1968) and I need to rehair the bow. I'm not sure if there's something missing or if it's just an older design but it doesn't have a frog just a hole either end in the bamboo bow. The sound box I've found is a little damaged and the strings don't have a bridge.... Any advice for the bow? And for using it in general? I've been recommended a violin shop as the shop I went in today had never heard of an erhu (they're more into ukes and guitars) Hope I've used all the right terms for everything - I'm totally new to stringed instruments! I'm not sure how best to add photos.... I guess I'll have to try and remember my password for dropbox Thanks Lottie |
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Post by lottie on Feb 21, 2018 22:13:53 GMT
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Post by davidmdahl on Feb 21, 2018 22:41:41 GMT
Welcome to the forum, Lottie. What you have looks more like a gaohu, but it could also be another ethnic variety of huqin. The strings are apparently silk. It is really hard to know if your fiddle would tolerate standard steel strings, but I suppose it is worth a try. It is likely to cost more to rehair the bow than to buy a new bow. Supplies can be purchased from Eason Music via their website. Besides a new bow, you will need a few bridges, a set of strings, qianjin cord, and a pad to go under the strings. This gaohu (?) is likely intended to be played between your knees. I had such a gaohu some years ago, but found the playing position hard on my back.
To tell the truth, I suggest that you order a new erhu from Eason Music or another respected vendor. Anything they have will be a lot easier to learn to play on. If you had experience setting up an erhu, or access to someone else who knows what to do, it might be worth getting your gaohu fixed up. There is a lot to replace and adjust on your gaohu. It would not be hard for someone with experience, but it is a lot for a novice.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by dawei on Feb 22, 2018 14:24:47 GMT
Welcome to the forum, Lottie. What you have looks more like a gaohu, but it could also be another ethnic variety of huqin. The strings are apparently silk. It is really hard to know if your fiddle would tolerate standard steel strings, but I suppose it is worth a try. David I have a gaohu almost identical to that and it will take modern metal strings. It would be easier to get a new bow, as David said. Best of luck. |
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Post by lottie on Mar 3, 2018 1:12:35 GMT
Thanks! I had a few problems logging back in and then finding my own post again 😶
And in the meantime have gone (in my enthusiasm!) To the violin shop where the guy has rehaired the bow. I collect it tomorrow (if the snow & ice has cleared).
Actually he didn't really know anything about erhu.... and as Eason are based in the US I'm not sure if I can afford it at the moment. There must be somebody in the UK that knows about these!
That's interesting that it may not even be an erhu haha.... ahhh what it is to be a novice 😂😂😂
Anybody know where I can get all the accessories from in the UK?
Appreciate your help
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Post by davidmdahl on Mar 3, 2018 1:47:55 GMT
Lottie, Eason Music is in Singapore, not the USA. I don't know how the shipping works out to the UK, but I usually pay less by ordering from Eason or other vendors in China, than when I order from vendors in the USA. I also have a much better choice of quality. I'm sure that there are resources in the UK for Chinese instruments, but it is likely to depend on where you are exactly. You can find nearly anything in London, I expect, but maybe not so much in rural areas. I suggest searching online for Chinese cultural organizations. I found one such website in less than a minute: www.ukchinesemusic.com/contact.htmand www.gold.ac.uk/short-courses/learn-chinese-music-fiddle/I suggest trying to find a teacher for erhu. They will also likely be able to direct you for getting supplies. The UK Amazon and Ebay sites are also reasonably good sites to explore. There is also Hobgoblin Music in London, which sells all sorts of musical instruments from around the world. Best wishes, David |
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Post by lottie on Mar 3, 2018 18:49:50 GMT
Thanks, I've been talking to them at Eason
Hopefully I'll get everything I need from them.
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Post by lottie on Mar 16, 2018 21:45:43 GMT
Hi Finally my things have arrived from Eason, he was really helpful Only thing is, I thought I'd set it up tonight and both the strings I've got (inner & outer) come in identical packets. One has a tiny piece of paper in it and they are stamped differently inside. One says 4 then the Chinese symbol for "moon" and 7 "sun" The other says 6 "moon" 3 "sun" Anyone know which is which? I got the Shanghai Dunhuang Gaohu strings Lottie x |
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Post by lottie on Mar 16, 2018 21:47:57 GMT
Probably that was just a date stamp lol
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Post by davidmdahl on Mar 17, 2018 2:24:49 GMT
Hi Finally my things have arrived from Eason, he was really helpful Only thing is, I thought I'd set it up tonight and both the strings I've got (inner & outer) come in identical packets. One has a tiny piece of paper in it and they are stamped differently inside. One says 4 then the Chinese symbol for "moon" and 7 "sun" The other says 6 "moon" 3 "sun" Anyone know which is which? I got the Shanghai Dunhuang Gaohu strings Lottie x Check the thickness of the strings. It should be obvious. Best wishes, David |
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Post by howiehobbit on Mar 18, 2018 14:47:12 GMT
Hi Finally my things have arrived from Eason, he was really helpful Only thing is, I thought I'd set it up tonight and both the strings I've got (inner & outer) come in identical packets. One has a tiny piece of paper in it and they are stamped differently inside. One says 4 then the Chinese symbol for "moon" and 7 "sun" The other says 6 "moon" 3 "sun" Anyone know which is which? I got the Shanghai Dunhuang Gaohu strings Lottie x Hehe bet you're excited! Have you managed to put your strings onto the Gaohu yet? Just wondering which postage option you went for, and how long did it take for everything to arrive? I picked up a bargain. Found a second hand Shanghai Dunhuang Redwood Erhu for £35! It sounded a little horrible when I first tried it in the shop, but it had the underlying warm tone, so I bought it. After moisturising the snake skin and repositioning the bridge, it now sounds amazing. Asking about Eason as am going to try out different bridges and strings so want to know how long it generally takes to arrive. Have sent you a PM anyway. |
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Post by ntp0210 on Mar 19, 2018 19:29:02 GMT
How did you moisturize the snake skin?
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Post by howiehobbit on Mar 19, 2018 22:36:41 GMT
How did you moisturize the snake skin? Use extra virgin olive oil. I dip my finger in so there is a light coating and then I do little strokes with my finger in the direction of scale growth. This oils the snake skin and keeps it nice and supple. |
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Post by howiehobbit on Mar 19, 2018 22:41:15 GMT
Hi Finally my things have arrived from Eason, he was really helpful Only thing is, I thought I'd set it up tonight and both the strings I've got (inner & outer) come in identical packets. One has a tiny piece of paper in it and they are stamped differently inside. One says 4 then the Chinese symbol for "moon" and 7 "sun" The other says 6 "moon" 3 "sun" Anyone know which is which? I got the Shanghai Dunhuang Gaohu strings Lottie x Oh I had a look at the Dunhuang packaging. There's a very subtle difference in the packaging between the inner and outer string. Look out for the change in one character. 内 for inner; and 外 for the outer. |
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