40 degree angle only true outside of China?

[jetz320]

I've seen so many pro players from China play the erhu. But, something that catches my eye the most is that the 40 degree angle that has been reminded so many times is not seen on these pro players from China that have graduated from Beijing Central and taught by masters!!!! When I see the angle, I immediatley turn my eyes to their wrist to see if it is the relaxed moving way (you know what I'm saying right?!) to see if they even are a good player. The wrist is moving great. But what's up with the angle?


If you go on youtube, there's this one interveiw where it's about some lady from China and began playing since she was six or so. Then, there is the 12 girls band. The 5 erhu"ist" don't do the angle either. Occasionally, I see my teacher do it. The thing is that all of us and people outside of China do this. Is this say the first Erhu "rule" developed outside of China?!

[song]

Hi Jetz,

Can you explain further the 40 degree angle thing?

Thanks,
Sung Wah

[calden]

Do you mean as in the angle it's held in relation to the body, as in 40° away from the front of the body, like this


and 40° out to the side like this?


Carlos

[davidmdahl]

I suggest that the general recommendation for erhu students is a fluid natural arm and hand position that encourages good technique. A position that leads to tension is not effective and can even lead to injury. I don't think that in most cases a specific angle is magic.

When you see a video of a master, you will likely observe a variety of positions. Getting stuck in any one position is probably not a good thing, since it will likely result in tension. A photo may lend the impression of a specific position to emulate, but the video will be more useful, since it will show the range of positions in context.

Best wishes,

David

[jtangsw]

my erhu teacher here in Malaysia requests me to stick to 45degrees angle all the time... which, I find quite rigid sometimes...

however, I always try to go with the most relaxing posture so that my arm and fingers can move 'naturally'

[YouLanFengChune]

Regarding this, it really depends. What if you have a very long arm?
Or a very short one? Or u require super dextirity (which needs lots of position changing, hence having weight on your hands= slowness) and that means 90 degrees, perpendicular to ur lap?