Most important Part

[jetz320]

Hi everyone! I just changed all of my erhu's things like the things listed in this poll. I changed the strings, a new Beijing Professional Grade bow, etc. So which one of these would most likely change the sound? Thanks!

[davidmdahl]

I know this is not what you were looking for, but the most important part of the erhu is the player. A good player can make up for a lot of failings in the instrument, although to a point, certainly. Actually every part needs to be at least adequate and in balance with the quality of the other components. I improved a couple of Vietnamese erhus (dan nhi) by upgrading the strings, bow, and bridge. The difference was obvious, but I did not turn a sow's ear into a silk purse. The most terrific erhu in the world would would sound awful without the pad under the bridge muting the strings.

So, I guess the final answer is, every part is important, including the player.

Best wishes,

David

[maaltan]

I agree, the player is the most important part. i heard recordings of a "can-hu" made from a broomstick and steel can. It sounded pretty darn good considering its materials.

the skin is the most obvious thing that determines tone quality, but you can't change that.

When i was upgrading my cheap ebay erhu, i found that the bow and the bridge improved the sound about the same. i got the first hand position sounding as good as my new one but the skin is so tight nothing above a f5 will play reliably.

I ended up just getting a cadenza one and I love it. I have graduated to the third hand position (sort of, if i had a teacher im sure they would tell me to fortify the foundations before building a new floor)

[damien]

Hmmmm the player, come along guys that much is obvious, i can tell your deep thinkers haha it must come from the creative side of your brains.

I would say the same as maaltan, the snake skin is the most obvious because without it you wouldn't get the same sound at all but of course it all needs to be combined to make the sound of Erhu.

I did the same as you jetz and bought a nice professional bow, i wouldn't say it made a difference in the sound but the rosin sticks to it better and lasts longer or even the thickness might make a small difference in my opinion.

The bridge is what made the big difference on my Erhu so i chose that option.
I think the answer will differ from person to person as we all have different types and qualities of Erhu.

[jetz320]

Yeah. I never thought of the skin or the "player"! Now that I think about it, that does make a lot of sense. Skin does do a big part in sound quality. Thanks!

[YouLanFengChune]

I showed these questions to some of my guests, some of whom determine the stuff in erhu where i came from.

Projection is determined by the resonator box
Tone is by the skin
the cleanliness is by the interaction of skin and the bridge and stringths
damper determines the overtones and the vibrations (or unwanted vibes) on skin and of instrument
Bow determines control

everyonbe is important