|
|
Post by Si on Feb 28, 2006 5:01:27 GMT
I am using dinning table at the moment. Should I try to get a qu qin table or is it not so important?
Also I thought real GQ tables had a hole amplifing the sound. I have not seen one like this in my local shop!
|
|
|
|
Post by Charlie Huang on Feb 28, 2006 9:20:32 GMT
My qin table does not have a soundhole. I think soundholes are for older models with bigger soundboxes. The dining table is OK, provided that it is not too high. Qin tables are rather lower than your average table.
Only get a qin table if, you've got enough money, you're serious about qin, you want to have a better sound, or you want a table of the correct height to play upon.
If you really want one, then I recommend a model that resembles close to the one described in LXT's book. It has legs/panels that can be slotted in, and has a good sound amplification.
|
|
|
|
Post by Si on Feb 28, 2006 9:26:04 GMT
Oh I saw a strange diagram in a book but it was all in chinese so......
They do sell tables in my local Qin shop but they are what look like lower chinese style tables - only big enough for 1 qin.
|
|
|
|
Post by Charlie Huang on Feb 28, 2006 11:00:58 GMT
Are you planning to teach? You only need a table big enough for one qin! It would be nice to have a pic so I can see its suitability. You might need to ask a qin player for advice on the properties of a good qin table, and maybe select one for you.
|
|
|
|
Post by Si on Mar 2, 2006 9:02:54 GMT
I checked about these tables with the hole inthem and the local gu qin shop said that they dont sell them as they are to big and not popular.
Most people just buy the simple tables.
Have you seen any of these ones with holes for sale?
|
|
|
|
Post by Charlie Huang on Mar 2, 2006 9:17:04 GMT
Why do you need a table with a soundhole? One without is just as good. Generally, tables with big soundbox requires soundholes, smaller ones (like most modern ones) do not. Don't be selective here. Get one that is the correct height. Sound qualities only lie in the quality of the instrument itself and not the table. The table only crontributes to around less than 10% of the overall quality.
|
|
|
|
Post by blueharp on Mar 2, 2006 10:37:55 GMT
Do you mean something like this?  (Courtesy of Stephen Dydo's website, electric qin!) A table like this is more standard these days:  (Courtesy of ChineseCulture.net) I actually use a sofa table from Ikea right now. It is big enough for 2 guqin, but is the right height. |
|
|
|
Post by Charlie Huang on Mar 2, 2006 12:10:06 GMT
Stephen's table is good to make if you have time and money. For now, stick to things that are in your grasp!
|
|
|
|
Post by Si on Mar 2, 2006 13:18:39 GMT
Oh that looks great.
I will ask my contractor to make me a DIY one tomorrow, to use in the mean time. It will look very rough but its the hand position that i am most concerned about.
I should be able to make one for free or either very very cheap out of ply wood...hahah
|
|
|
|
Post by Charlie Huang on Mar 2, 2006 13:46:06 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Si on Mar 2, 2006 13:48:09 GMT
Seems I cant get sand bags either.
I was also going to ask same contractor to make some leather ones. Is leather OK.
In fact are sand bangs the perfered choice, cos rubber strips seems a bit odd, like not very cultured.
|
|
|
|
Post by Charlie Huang on Mar 2, 2006 14:27:11 GMT
Almost everyone uses non-slip pads. If you can get sandbags, then that is best.
Leather is fine, though use the underside, not the shiny side on the outside so it doesn't slip.
|
|
|
|
Post by carol on Mar 2, 2006 17:14:49 GMT
Hahah, I'm even more sloppy. I use the cosmetic foam pads.
|
|
|
|
Post by Si on Mar 21, 2006 16:28:04 GMT
Blueharp,
Can You tell me what are in the sand bags in the photo - is it sand? or something else
And how do you sew it up, like what is the method to make them, is there a opening to insert the sand etc, as i want to get our upholstery supplier to make me some for me.
cheers
|
|
|
|
Post by Charlie Huang on Mar 21, 2006 17:38:14 GMT
It is sand (make sure the sand is free of chemical agents or it might damage the qin/table). And yes, you sew three sides, turn it inside out, put sand in it (not too much) and sew the end shut.
|
|
|
|
Post by blueharp on Mar 21, 2006 20:52:47 GMT
The sand bags are Stephen Dydo's, I use a strip of the non-skid padding. My understanding is that they have very fine sand in them - and not too much at that. Jim Binkley's translation of the Yu Ku Chai Qinpu has information on them here: www.cs.pdx.edu/~jrb/chin/v322/v322.htmApparently one can also use cloth or silk too. |
|
|
|
Post by Si on May 31, 2006 16:54:35 GMT
I was very suprised when i temporary moved my qin on to my computer table so i could follow some music online. It sounded so odd compared to my usual table. then i put it on my knee to play and it was horrid!
Is the qin so sensitive to the table its on? Seems very restrictive!
I'm confused cos at my teachers place I play on a coffee table with the qin resting on like 2 piles of qin books, and it sounds lovely!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Charlie Huang on Jun 1, 2006 8:51:32 GMT
It depends on the construction of the table. What wood is is made of? The density? Does it have a drawer (i.e. sound box)? What non-slip pad do you use? What room is the table in?
These all play a part in how good the qin sounds. Yes, playing on the knees is not good for sound, coz the qin requires a solid base to pass the sound through and emit. Since when you lay the qin on your lap, there is nothing underneath the sound holes to reinforce the sound so it disperses and doesn't sound that good. Note that a fully carpeted room will absorb most of the vibrations of the qin. I played a qin on a semi-carpeted wooden floor room on a make-shift qin table converted from a computer table and you can feel the vibrations everytime you pluck! On the other hand, I play on a 'proper' qin table in my bedroom and I can't feel the vibrations.
Also, since I changed to silk, I don't use non-slip pads anymore.
|
|
|
|
Post by Si on Jun 1, 2006 12:45:04 GMT
why dont you use pads anymore?
I use them cos my qin rocks a bit when i play and is not totally level.
|
|
|
|
Post by Charlie Huang on Jun 1, 2006 13:59:30 GMT
I don't need to use them. My qin does not rock or slide on the table. The reasons is that the strings are silk, so I don't pluck hard, therefore, it doesn't slide around the table like m-n ones would.
|
|
|
|
Post by Si on Aug 18, 2006 14:22:39 GMT
What different types of qin tables are commonly sold and are there any differences between them?
|
|
|
|
Post by Charlie Huang on Aug 18, 2006 17:15:55 GMT
Well, the two I've seen; one has legs which slot in, one is assembled by screws.
|
|
|
|
Post by Si on Aug 18, 2006 17:46:42 GMT
Oh they sound like demountable ones.
I saw one in the shop that was sort of like a simple low ming table. But workmanship looked shoddy.
T'uther I saw in singapore and was in chinese style again but with sort of rounded legs.
|
|
|
|
Post by Charlie Huang on Aug 18, 2006 18:28:59 GMT
I particularly like the slot in leg one. I think LXT had one. The ground literally vibrates. I want it but can't access any source.
|
|
|
|
Post by Si on Aug 19, 2006 8:53:06 GMT
I want one like that as well. They have a picture of one on the chinacultire online shop. The one thats liked to the NAGA. But as im in China I just want to order it here.
Can only see Ming style fixed tables in "Hong Mu". Looks OK but prefer the slot in ones.
Anyone know were to get them from?
|
|
