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Post by twilight on Nov 2, 2004 20:47:29 GMT
wow! everyone in here is so knowledgeable, it's embarassing for me to even reply ;D
I have only played the dan tranh for 6 years now, though on and off. It seems that the strings are also important for bass. The bass strings are thicker. The standard 16-string dan tranh may have 3 sizes (or more) of strings. Many people I know only use 1 size though
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Post by twilight on Nov 2, 2004 20:52:47 GMT
as for Lunlun's playing, I find it very fun to watch. She seems so engrossed in the music that it makes you want to join in too, though I myself prefer traditional chinese guzheng composition  |
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Post by davidmdahl on Nov 3, 2004 9:28:58 GMT
We have yet another company jumping into the ring, selling Chinese instruments: cadenzamusic.biz/index.htmHey Vi An, check out the bass guzheng! Best wishes, David |
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Post by Vi An on Nov 3, 2004 16:37:01 GMT
Hey thanks David, first for the website NEAT @ the contra-bass zheng <g>  Its very odd, they should have done it like the bass koto. I don't know why they didn't place those thinner strings up and slide all the rest of the bass strings down? Instead of having most of the lowest strings stick out of the middle like that.  Anyhow my curiosity is totally peaked because anything new and interesting with gu zhengs and I'm right there in front row! ;D Prices at that website are astonding! I wonder if they special custom order hmmm.. About the dan tranh -- my 26 strings has a thicker gauge of strings for the lowest notes but because of the petite construction of the body for tranhs you CANNOT play them as strong. There fore it is impossible to get bass from tranhs, rather it is just for greater range. My 26 stringed gu zheng on the other hand -- WOW, they built that thing just right because the bass is really deep and powerful yet it holds the note perfectly (lowest E). My problem is that I like bass but I must have range as well and you are right it is hard to meet all those requirements because the bigger it gets the boomier the mid and lows but not neccessarily the highs will improve.. With this said though, hense the trapazoid shape of the gu zheng, the sides facing the audience is constructed wider than the playing side to accomidate the tention of the lower strings. So I think logically you can achieve great results for bass, mid and highs for say my dream 30-stringed zheng because you have to really tweak it just right when building it so you have a sort of all in one instrument! Alright that wraps it up for me!  All my best, Vi An |
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Post by davidmdahl on Nov 3, 2004 21:58:59 GMT
I believe I recently saw something like the contra-bass guzheng used in a performance on a VCD or DVD at a friend's house. The overstrung bass strings is a rather distinctive feature. I wonder if this design is done as a convenience for the musician, or if it results in a more stable instrument.
Best wishes,
David
Portland, Oregon
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Post by Vi An on Nov 4, 2004 8:27:24 GMT
Anyone and I mean anyone here who has ANY VCDs of gu zheng performances or traditional Chinese / Japanese orchestras/ensembles PLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEE share with poor little me -- I will send you tons of CD-Rs and a copy of my latest CD as thank you for your generosity!
So excited!
My best,
Vi An.
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Post by YouLanFengChune on Nov 17, 2004 14:08:33 GMT
Hello Vi An!! cadenzamusic.bizThats the company owned by my very good friend! His wish is to save up enough money to study in Shanghai Conservatorium. Being a really nice guy, and very talented as well, he gets the support of many suppliers in Singapore and China. So, to help him, I often double-up and dizi/xiao advisor. His focus on Quality is high and he can definitely be trusted. |
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Peter Kahl
Novice
Guzheng instrument designer, winner of the Japanese Product of the Year 1999 and 2000 award
Posts: 11
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Post by Peter Kahl on Nov 19, 2004 1:41:15 GMT
Hi Vi An,
I finally found some time to come back to this forum. I read your wish list about the 30-string Guzheng.
As I told you, Lunlun and I will be going to the Shanghai area very soon. We will be working on some custom Guzheng projects, and we thought we could try to make a custom 30-string Guzheng for you.
I will copy your wishlist from this forum, but if there is anything else you want to add, please send me your most accurate specifications. Also, if you could send me any drawings, that would be even better. I just want to make sure that you will be at least 100% hapy with what you get.
Here are some of my points:
1.) I very much dislike the excessive decorations of the modern Chinese Guzhengs. I love the minimalist apperance of the Japanese Koto. The Guzheng manufacturers should focus their time, money and effort into making quality Guzhnegs instead.
2.) The place where the strings come up from the righ side box uses metal washers. You mentioned that you would prefer "flower" washers. No problem. Can be done. However, have you seen the newer Dunhuang Guzhengs? They use white plastic washers which are flush. Lunlun perfers the flush washers, because she can then rest her hand in that area and move the hand up and down (playing) without hurting her hand.
3.) 30-string Guzheng is very unusual. We are not sure about the availability of long strings. Perhaps you could use some strings which were made for double bass.
Please comment.
Peter
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Post by Vi An on Nov 19, 2004 3:21:19 GMT
Dear Peter,
Before I get too overly enthusiastic about this prospect, I'd like to ask what I should be expecting in terms of cost to me? Would you be willing to give a fellow aspiring musician a special price?
I'm on the same wave length and thinking as you that I reallly enjoy the simplicity of the Japanese koto, and would love to adopt some of the same asthetics to the gu zheng!
I'm really thinking of an instrument that can double as a 30-stringed koto and gu zheng, where I can switch strings from both. Instantly makes the instrument something else!!
I will make a series of illustrations for you. I'm soooooo excited, this is too much fun. I am so in love with the gu zheng and it continuously has so much greater potential. Thanks to the intuitions of the musicians who come together and share a great passion for this amazing instrument and come up with new innovations!
All the best, keep well!
Vi An.
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Post by Charlie Huang on Nov 19, 2004 10:42:33 GMT
Would you patent it, Vi_an-san?  ;D |
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Post by YouLanFengChune on Nov 19, 2004 13:31:49 GMT
Vi-an!!
Send me the picture!
I can send the design to a Guzheng compay in Shaghai who can custom make guzhengs!!
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Peter Kahl
Novice
Guzheng instrument designer, winner of the Japanese Product of the Year 1999 and 2000 award
Posts: 11
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Post by Peter Kahl on Nov 19, 2004 14:06:35 GMT
Hi Vi An,
Of course, no one can get rich by selling one Guzheng, and I do not want to burn in hell for asking too much money for the 30-string Guzheng.
I will take all the specifications with me and Lunlun to Shanghai and we will spend couple weeks there, making sure the masters make the instrument the way we want.
I know you said you are willing to pay $1,500 USD, so I will try to fit in this budget (the best quality for the money).
I see other people eager to get your drawings and have the instrument made for you in their shop. Gee, that's great !!!!
Peter
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Post by Vi An on Nov 19, 2004 16:03:15 GMT
Hello all you wonderful beings of music and friendship,
I hope all of you are doing just great and I send you my warmest regards always!
First a hello to Charlie: *Giggles big time* I don't think a patent is near my grasp, as these are mostly just ideas of a most ideal gu zheng for me because the gu zheng is so much an extention of my expressions and being, that it has to "comply". I will try and sell my other instruments off so I can make plenty room and use for the new 30-stringed instrument because it will be all I need. I mean do I really need a 26-stringed dan tranh, no! When I aquire this 30-stringed instrument will I still need the 26-stringed gu zheng, no!
So it is terribly important to me that ever instrument I aquire is one quality step higher than the previous, just like how I need to improve as a "musician". The right instrument and aditude all work together to help improve the performance over time. I am willing to invest the time, money and efforts to achieve great things.
I'm very excited and nervous too because I always have high expectations and I'm a perfectionist...
Hi YouLan Feng! I have already approached Peter and LunLun one month ago about this idea. I hope I can still count on your sources in the future!
My Jin Yun 26-stringed zheng is sooooooooooooo sweet and deep sounding and the playability is just superb, the sustains are so long and the tones are so rich!
Just playing it this morning.
Ok enough from me for now,
Vi An.
My best to you.
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Post by gubaba on Nov 20, 2004 2:43:38 GMT
I found a website that has a bunch of VCDs. www.aiyuechina.com/english/guzheng1.htmI have one of the tutorials and I like it very much. There is currently a copy on ebay; search guzheng. The site has a section for sheet music. |
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Post by Vi An on Nov 23, 2004 6:07:47 GMT
Hello all hope all is well and joyous! My warmest regards.. I guess my 30-stringed Gu Zheng actually is 31-stringed because I intend it to begin with B and ascend into b (based on the pentatonic d-major). If anyone is interested in my 26 stringed concert grade Jin-yun (zheng) or 26-stringed master grade dan tranh now is the time to think about them. I only need one instrument once this 31-stringed gu zheng is made. My best to you, Vi An. www.geocities.com/just_vi_an |
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Post by YouLanFengChune on Dec 2, 2004 23:55:36 GMT
Finally, Cadenza Announces the sale of Tortoiseshell Picks for Guzheng and Pipa, at $9.99 a set! cadenzamusic.biz |
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Post by twilight on Dec 4, 2004 3:35:24 GMT
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Post by Vi An on Dec 4, 2004 7:58:24 GMT
Twilight, I know the individual selling that gu zheng, she is a great help I haven't talked to her in a long time because we have been so busy! This is a "Jin-yun" make of gu zheng which means "golden tone" and believe me it is golden in tone most definitely! She helped me to communicate with Jin-yun to custom make my 26-stringed instrument in that "classical" style with old rose wood. If you look on my website: www.geocities.com/just_vi_an/collaborations.html under the "BEND" pictures and also www.geocities.com/just_vi_an/concertupdates.htmlYou will see the same body "classical" design concept of instrument style as mine except I chose not to have inlay and other designs on the wood. If you are serious about an amazing quality of sound, value and craftsmanship -- I recommend purchasing the above ebay offer. You will not go wrong with Jin Yun gu zhengs. On that note, I have nothing to benifit from all this praise to them. Only that I am an artist of the gu zheng and sound is most important to me, and gosh darn it so far Jin Yun exceeds all my expecations. Always share what ever will benifit others! Vi An. |
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Post by fraucremer on Dec 5, 2004 16:29:23 GMT
Anyone and I mean anyone here who has ANY VCDs of gu zheng performances or traditional Chinese / Japanese orchestras/ensembles PLEASE share with poor little me -- I will send you tons of CD-Rs and a copy of my latest CD as thank you for your generosity! I have around 20 VCDs of Chinese guzheng performers and several teaching VCDs. Still interested? |
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Post by Vi An on Dec 5, 2004 20:07:42 GMT
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh music to my ears! Thanks for letting me know, woooooo hooooooooo I'm very very interested please please please!
Please email me and we'll discuss more.
Vi An.
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Post by twilight on Dec 5, 2004 23:32:04 GMT
Vi An I've been to your site lots of time that's why when I saw this guzheng it reminded me of yours ;D Thanks for lettting me know the quality of it. However, I've just ordered a Dunhuang guzheng not too long ago or else I would grab this one after such an endorsement from an established musician  |
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Post by Vi An on Dec 6, 2004 16:39:29 GMT
Wonderful news Twilight!
Talk to you soon,
Vi An.
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Post by Vi An on Dec 13, 2004 23:22:40 GMT
www.geocities.com/just_vi_an/delight_byViAn.mp3Hello and my regards to you all! Please click the above link to listen to a live stream of my latest composition entitled "Delighting In Simplicity" which I'm starting to refine on the 26 stringed Jin Yun guzheng. It is just the introduction and theme right now. Let me know what you think??? Thanks. My best! Vi An.
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Post by blueharp on Dec 14, 2004 1:52:50 GMT
Lovely! The instrument sounds marvellous and your playing is very expressive. Keep up the good work! Steve |
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Post by YouLanFengChune on Dec 14, 2004 2:13:10 GMT
Vi-An!!
Nice playing...
suggestion: Could we add a "psuedo Guqin" (use sildes on the lower strings) to play the made melody, in addition to it. The glissando could be played by the Guzheng, while the other other play in unision, or a counterpoint, using the psuedo guqin method.
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;D