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Post by davidmdahl on Jul 28, 2005 16:18:57 GMT
During the week of August 7 I will be in the San Francisco area on business. As usual for such trips, I try to squeeze in musical experiences and encounters as well. My first stop from the airport will hopefully be the Chinese Arts & Music Center at 500 Balboa Ave. Does anyone from the list know anyone there? It is always fun to name drop. I am hoping to check out the huqins and whatever else they let me touch.
Are there any other must-go places in the Bay area for a fan of Chinese music?
Thanks.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by kyokuhon on Jul 28, 2005 17:31:27 GMT
Hi, David,
Don't know anybody at the Chinese Arts and Music Center, but you should stop by Clarion Music. I don't remember the address, but you can find it on the website clarionmusic.com. Sounds like they might be able to direct you to some pretty interesting musicians, too.
Best,
K.
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Post by davidmdahl on Jul 28, 2005 18:22:45 GMT
Ah, thanks Kyokuhon, for the reminder. I have heard of Clarion Music before from a variety of sources, so I should have remembered. I may also try to find Lark in the Morning (www.larkinam.com). I have been to the Seattle store more than a few times however, so it does not seem to be as unique of an opportunity.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by blueharp on Jul 29, 2005 6:10:20 GMT
You might want to check out Exploring Music (aka the Chinese Music Learning Center). It is in the same neighborhood as CAMC. The address is: 814 Clement Street San Francisco, CA 94118 (415) 831-2500 Monday to Sunday 10:00 AM to 6:00PM. I haven't been there myself, their southbay location is much closer, but they may have a few things. Melody (Hui Qing) Chen is one of their guzheng and pipa instructors - and a fabulous musician. I think she is only in San Jose now. I believe that they are a Dunhuang dealer so they might only have the one brand of Erhu. Clarion is great. It is across town in the heart of Chinatown. If you go be prepared to pay for parking. There is a city lot that isn't too bad if memory serves. Just up the street a block is the Hang Ah Tearoom - pricey but tasty. It is in the basement of the building and has been around forever. Lark in the Morning is quite close to Ghiradelli Square, and parking is super expensive. It is possible to find street parking, but beware! They will ticket/tow without mercy. Honestly I don't know if it is worth the trouble since you have been to their store in Seattle. Perhaps if circumstances allow we might even meet face to face, although I don't play huqin.  Steve |
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Post by davidmdahl on Aug 10, 2005 20:14:53 GMT
I have been having fun in the San Francisco area. After my work-related class, I get some solitude in my hotel to practice erhu and monochord. No complaints so far. <g>
Sunday afternoon I visited a few Chinese music stores in the Golden Gate Park area. I had a lot of fun trying out various erhus, gaohus, and even a banhu. One gaohu in particular was very loud. I don't think it would go over well in my house. <g> I picked up some CDs and music books for huqins with other instruments.
A high point was meeting board member blueharp for dinner and music. What a service this board has been to provide resources, advice, and introductions.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by blueharp on Aug 11, 2005 7:14:13 GMT
The pleasure was all mine! I really enjoyed the chance to meet a fellow Palace of Zheng resident.
The nhi was cool, but the real treasure was the Dan Bau - I think I'm hooked! What a mesmerizing sound!!
Thank you taking time out of your schedule to meet!
Steve
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Post by davidmdahl on Aug 13, 2005 6:17:57 GMT
I am nearing the end of my San Francisco fun. My class ended early this afternoon, so I took a commuter train into SF and walked around Chinatown. Clarion was my main destination, but I also enjoyed the other shops, sights, and sounds. I contributed some beer money to a couple of buskers playing gaohu and erhu on the street. Wow, the gaohu is loud! There was no problem hearing it over the traffic for quite a distance.
At Clarion Music I saw a huqin called either a "da hu" or a "da erhu", I don't remember which. It is a strange sort of large huqin, much larger than even a zhonghu. Instead of metal strings as are common on the erhu, this one had silk strings and the bow had black hair. The price was reasonable, but I could not get a very good sound out of it. I don't know if this was due to a bad bow, poor adjustment of the qianjin, too little rosin, or inexperience, but it is just as well I am not going to arrive home with another instrument. <g>
I have one more gauntlet to run, with a visit to the Chinese Music Learning Center in San Jose tomorrow (Saturday) before my flight home to Portland. Blueharp told me about a xiao that has been calling his name, and now I am intrigued. Hopefully it will be too big for my hands, eh Steve? <g>
Best wishes,
David
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Post by blueharp on Aug 13, 2005 6:57:56 GMT
In all the years I have lived here I have never had the good fortune to hear a busker playing a Chinese instrument. What luck! Did you enjoy the Clarion experience? Tiny space - lots of goodies. "Blueharp told me about a xiao that has been calling his name, and now I am intrigued." <Adopts an air of tragic stoicism> If it calls to you too it is crying out for a good home. Although... it is rather big.  Have a safe trip home! Steve |
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Post by YouLanFengChune on Aug 14, 2005 2:27:31 GMT
A friend of mine near San Fransisco is wanting to build a music library+center related and dvoted to Chinese music. He might need and want help+connections. Cadenza has promised to supply as much Free materials as we can, plus, CDs, books and instruments at discounts.
he wants to have a place where he can loan people instruments to try, scores to try, and maybe form a small ensemble.
Please private message me if interested, and I'll send forth his contact!
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