Zhonghu

[dsouthwood]

The jonghu I ordered from Cadenza just arrived. It's the Small Leaved Violet Sandalwood Zhonghu by Zhang Long Xiang that is pictured on their Web site.

The instrument is beautiful, and it has a fine, rich tone. I have been told that all instruments in the erhu family sound a little harsh when new, and then mellow with age. Well, this one sounds good right away. If it mellows even more, I'll be in heaven.

I'm really going to like the deeper tone for some tunes. Playing a sad song like "Little Cabbage" in a lower register could have everybody grabbing for their Kleenex. Now I'm wondering about "Old Man River."

Dennis

[davidmdahl]

Congratulations on your zhonghu, Dennis! I have one as well made of rosewood and enjoy playing it very much. Too bad we are not closer so we could compare them.

I enjoy a deeper sonority. Even tuning an erhu down a step has a good effect on the tone, and for reasons I can't explain, can make the erhu easier to play.

Enjoy!

Best wishes,

David

[jetz320]

NICE! I have a zhonghu. Mine is made of rosewood too. My zhonghu has a deep low tone though. Not as bright as I would have thought. Oh well, I just bought a new pro erhu that sounds REALLY GOOD!!!!!! That'll keep me satisfied for a year or two.