help the beginner!!!

[eolian]

Hi!

I just purchased my first Zheng at ebay - still didn't got it but need to know few things before it arrives :-)

Do i have to use picks to play zheng??? im classical guitarist and used to play with finger nails - is acceptable technique with zheng??? also I found that zheng pick set have four picks - how im supposed to handle 4 picks the same time? ;-) ...do i actually have to put them ON my fingers (like dobro guitar or steel guitar) or I actually HOLD them between two fingers.

Im going to use zheng with my band playing world music fusion so therefore also need good advice about tuning so to be able to stay in harmony with other instruments (mostly clkassical and ethnic)

grateful for any help

PEter

www.mp3.com.au/umanee
www.mp3.com.au/peternovotnik

[Charlie Huang]

According to what I know, yes, you need to attach the 'picks' onto your fingers. As with many high tensioned string instruments, it would sound better if there is something hard to pluck with, and in some cases, makes technique execution more easier or smoother.

As for attaching the picks...

*pages Vi_an-san*

[fraucremer]

First of all: Before you start to play you should get an idea of how guzheng is played and what can be done with it. Buy VCDs and watch professional players. Search ebay, they are often sold.

You need picks. Your fingers won't make it long without. Additionally the zheng won't sound and it would be very quiet.

Don't use guitar picks, they will damage the strings and have the wrong shape. Buy real guzheng picks, preferrably made of tortoise shell. They are gentle to the strings and give a pleasant sound.

Picks are attached to the fleshy side of your fingers using medical adhesive tape. At least four picks are needed, attached to thumb, index, middle and ring finger of your right hand. The left hand is used for ornaments. For modern playing techniques another four picks can be attached to the left hand.

Buy Angela Jui Lees books (Vol. 1-3). They are a good introdution to guzheng and - as far as I know - the only ones written in English. Vol. 1 tells how to setup and tune a guzheng, how to attach picks and shows some basic playing techniques.

To know another instrument will give you a good start, but will not free you from learning and practicing. Playing the guzheng has to be learned, like any other instrument.