Erhu beginner

[may]

Hello!

My name is May, and I'm just learning to play this wonderful instrument because I love the sound of the erhu.

I'm completely new to playing the erhu, and I'm using a rented Dunhuang right now. Hopefully, I will buy my own erhu soon. I don't sound very good at this time, but I practice everyday. I came across the erhu when I joined a Chinese ensemble class this September to learn Guzheng.

Has anyone bought one from Ebay? I found a few that seems to be in my budget, although I have no clue about them!

I'm very glad to find this forum. There's so much good information here. Thanks everyone!

May

[calden]

May:

Glad you're here. I started erhu five years ago at the tender age of 48. I have lots of musical experience, including some pipa training, so it wasn't a huge stretch. Desire and practice will get you through, not too late at all! There are some ebay sites that are reputable, and some are not. I'm not currently up on them, but I'm sure you'll be getting loads of advice within a few days here. This is a great resource, tons of info - music, advice, suggestions for practice, techniques, etc. In fact, sometimes it feels like taking a sip from a fire hydrant.

Carlos

[davidmdahl]

Welcome to our forum, May! As far as I am concerned the only time it is too late to study erhu or any other instrument is when you are dead. I started lessons last year at age 46 and am having so much fun. I only regret missing out on the fun by postponing getting started.

I am not very impressed with most of the erhus on Ebay, although those sold by Eason look good. Cheap erhus can be very difficult and unsatisfying to play. I have purchased in total seven instruments in the erhu (huqin) family from Cadenza Music in Singapore for myself and my teacher, and all have been wonderful. My teacher used to recommend a store in San Francisco to his students, but now he recommends Cadenza.

If you already have an adequate erhu for now, it will give you time to decide what you want and can afford. If you know other erhu players and can try their instruments, you might find some good resources for an instrument of your own. Like a lot of things, the more you know about erhus and what makes a good one, the more likely you will wind up satisfied.

I have found that I am most happy with erhus from about $350-$400 on up. Less than that there are too many corners cut. It is not necessarily true that you will get what you pay for, but it is easier to find a good instrument if your budget is not unrealistic.

Have fun!

Best wishes,

David

[jetz320]

What is the store name in San Francisco?

[may]

calden said:

May:

Glad you're here. I started erhu five years ago at the tender age of 48. I have lots of musical experience, including some pipa training, so it wasn't a huge stretch. Desire and practice will get you through, not too late at all! There are some ebay sites that are reputable, and some are not. I'm not currently up on them, but I'm sure you'll be getting loads of advice within a few days here. This is a great resource, tons of info - music, advice, suggestions for practice, techniques, etc. In fact, sometimes it feels like taking a sip from a fire hydrant.

Carlos

Thanks Carlos! I don't have any formal music training. But I bought a piano last year and have taught myself to play, more or less. I play by ear alot, but only in the key of C. I memorize a tune, and then I play it in my own simplified form. But I also try hard to play some classsical pieces from books. Bottom line is, I'm really having fun.

With the erhu, I also listen to some music and then try to play along by ear. It's not too easy, and I have lots of difficulties with the finger positioning. But this way, it helps me stay in tune, and I don't sound as bad because the other music drowns out my squeaks and bad timing. For some reason, I've really been able to clear a room fast ever since I brought the erhu home.

May

[jetz320]

Erhu is not easy. Some simple tips are, you wrist is bent in an angle from your arm. Your fingers should look all curled up together. While doing fingerings, you do it with the very tip of your fingers. Don't ever apply alot of pressure to the string unless you are doing a vibrato. The erhu is tuned on the piano or 2 middle strings of violin. You use D and A. The western music notes. The first note, is suppose to usse finger 1. Reach about 1.5 centimeters down from the top. Then, you do the same with the second finger. The third note, is right below the second finger. The fourth, you can reach down another 1.5 cm or uset the front string. It's the same on the front string too. But the higher scales are closer together. It'll take getting use to.

[may]

Hello David! Thanks for the warm welcome.

I like your definition of when it will be too late to start! Now that puts me on the "young" end of the scale! I don't know exactly why, but the minute I pulled the bow across the strings the first time (and it really sounded awful by the way), I knew I had formed an instant bond with this instrument. Nerdy sounding, but true.

Too bad I didn't know anything about the erhu way back when I was in Singapore. I could've shopped around for an erhu! I took my youngest son there over 3 years ago to visit family.

Thanks very much for your advise. I appreciate it. Even though I'm still very green in playing the erhu, I can already feel I need something better than the one I'm using. It is a good decision to get the best instrument you can afford.

I guess I have to wait a bit to get the decent erhu. I just bought a Guzheng last month, so now I have to save for the next instrument. I was thinking to get one that is playable for the time being so I don't have to keep renting for next semester.

May

[may]

Good tips jetz320! Thanks! I have this big problem of tensing up too much. I'm working on trying to stay relaxed while playing. Not easy!

May

jetz320 said:

Erhu is not easy. Some simple tips are, you wrist is bent in an angle from your arm. Your fingers should look all curled up together. While doing fingerings, you do it with the very tip of your fingers. Don't ever apply alot of pressure to the string unless you are doing a vibrato. The erhu is tuned on the piano or 2 middle strings of violin. You use D and A. The western music notes. The first note, is suppose to usse finger 1. Reach about 1.5 centimeters down from the top. Then, you do the same with the second finger. The third note, is right below the second finger. The fourth, you can reach down another 1.5 cm or uset the front string. It's the same on the front string too. But the higher scales are closer together. It'll take getting use to.

[davidmdahl]

jetz320 said:

What is the store name in San Francisco?

I don't know the place my teacher used, but I know of one store I visited when I was in SF last: Chinese Arts & Music Center (http://www.baymusic.net) at 500 Balboa Ave near Golden Gate Park. I liked some of their erhus but the guzhengs did not look very good.

Best wishes,

David

[may]

This is the song I would love to learn to play...
tinyurl.com/k9mue

I stumbled on this page when I did a search on "erhu"

But I can't figure out fingering for the first 6 notes. The problem is the 4th note. It's really bad and unstable if I use my pinkie.

Anyway, enjoy the music!

May

[jetz320]

The beginning has trills. If you had the notes, the song most likely would show you that you're maybe using fingers 1,2, or 2,3. You don't have to always follow the finger charts. It's all in the music. A trill, if you don't know, would be when you use another finger and give about 7 of that finger really quick. It's ussually the next note.

[song]

Welcome to the forum May.

As a good practise for the left hand, you should keep your fingers on the strings even if you are not playing that note. For example, when you use your middle finger to press a note, keep your first finger on the string on the previous note. Get to the point when you use your pinky to press a note and your first finger still stays in position on the string. This conditions your left hand for better intonation.

I'm a Singaporean and I run an ebay store as mentioned above by davidmdahl. Feel free to PM if you got any questions. Alternatively, you can look for Yinhao also. He's making Erhus in Singapore.

thanks,
Sung Wah

[may]

Hi jetz320,

For now, I will just try to play the melody without trilling. I can't do it anyway, but I will try to learn it eventually.

I will keep practicing to reduce that squawky sound with that 4th note ( that's the highest note in the beginning of the tune).
Thanks for your suggestions! I will try the 1,2 or 2,3 to see if it helps.

May

jetz320 said:

The beginning has trills. If you had the notes, the song most likely would show you that you're maybe using fingers 1,2, or 2,3. You don't have to always follow the finger charts. It's all in the music. A trill, if you don't know, would be when you use another finger and give about 7 of that finger really quick. It's ussually the next note.

[may]

Hi Sung Wah,

Good advise! I'm trying hard to pick up good habits from the start. My Chinese ensemble teacher told me the same thing. She noticed that I had one finger at a time on the string, and my hand was all bunched up tensely. Now I try to be very aware of those points

Do you also have a musical instrument store in Singapore? If I ever make my way back there, I will surely drop in for a visit. I will take a look at your Ebay store too. I'm originally from Singapore, but my home has been in the U.S. for almost 3 decades now.

Thanks for the response!

May

song said:

Welcome to the forum May.

As a good practise for the left hand, you should keep your fingers on the strings even if you are not playing that note. For example, when you use your middle finger to press a note, keep your first finger on the string on the previous note. Get to the point when you use your pinky to press a note and your first finger still stays in position on the string. This conditions your left hand for better intonation.

I'm a Singaporean and I run an ebay store as mentioned above by davidmdahl. Feel free to PM if you got any questions. Alternatively, you can look for Yinhao also. He's making Erhus in Singapore.

thanks,
Sung Wah

[song]

Yes we have a store here in Singapore, at the same spot since 1978. But since you've been in USA for 3 decades, we're not in business yet when you left.

Do drop me an email if you're coming back.

Thanks.