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Post by sitorimon on Feb 19, 2007 19:44:02 GMT
Hi all! I have just bought my first Guzheng (an Atlas 21-string). I'm so excited now that I have it - I jus want to break out into song... only I have NO idea how to set it all up! Is there some kind of complete newbie guide to the Guzheng available or could we create a guide on here as a good point of reference for all those new to this wonderful instrument? I'm too scared to put the bridges in incase I pop them in the wrong place or do it the wrong way  ;D Many thanks! Simon |
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Post by jetz320 on Feb 19, 2007 23:50:17 GMT
Hi. I know the feeling you have. When I got my zheng, it was tuned and I just needed to put bridges on. I got so nervous that the strings and bridges were going to snap I loosened all the strings and ended up getting strings 1 and 6 snapped. First of all, just put the bridges on according to the string number. Then, see what the note is. Take the bridge off and then tune to the desired pitch. Put the bridge on, test it. If you tune with the bridge on, it should be for things like if the string is 1/2 a note off. If you have to tune a couple notes, best to take the bridges off. chinesezither.net/files/DTuningTable.JPGchinesezither.net/images/fingering10001.BMP |
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Post by dsouthwood on Feb 20, 2007 1:32:01 GMT
Jetz,
I'm not sure your reply says what you want it to say. How can you tune the string with the bridge off? Without the bridge, you would be tuning a string that is the full length of the guzheng. If you try to tune a string of that length to the note, the string will certainly break. I'm sure you must have meant something else.
Simon,
The DTuningTable graphic Jetz linked to is very good. I would set the bridges up according to the distances shown in the table and tune the strings the first time using the tuning wrench that should have come with the guzheng. After that, tuning by moving the bridges is best for day-to-day adjustments. Remember to pull up on the string to take some of the pressure off the bridge before moving it so that you don't wear a groove in the soft wood of the sound board.
After you play for a while, you might want to think about how stiff or soft you want your strings to be. If you prefer a brighter tone, move the bridges back a bit to increase the vibrating length of the string. When you tune the string then, it will have more tension and should have more of a 'ring' to its tone. It will also offer correspondingly more resistance to pressing on the left side of the bridge. Of course, if you prefer a softer touch, move the bridges to shorten the vibrating length of the string and tune the strings down.
It is most important to remember that the sound board is made of extremely soft wood and will scratch and mar very easily. Neither water nor any other substance should ever touch the soundboard.
Dennis
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Post by davidmdahl on Feb 20, 2007 3:59:26 GMT
I agree with Dennis. When I got my new guzheng, I installed the bridges as in the tuning table link. I adjusted the string tension on some of the notes with the wrench and subsequently tuned by moving the bridges slightly. No strings broke. It should not be necessary to actually remove the bridges unless the guzheng is to be shipped or maybe stored for a long period. I think that removing bridges is otherwise an extraordinary event. The dealer for your guzheng should supply good setup information. After that, check the information on www.chinesezither.net and the forum at www.chinesezither.net/forum. By the way, the tuning table link places the bridges such that the string tension is on the tight side. As Dennis suggests, if you wish, move the bridges to the right to reduce the tension on the strings necessary to produce the desired note. Of course, this is according to personal preference. I like the sound of tighter strings, although it is harder on the fingers. Best wishes, David |
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;D
