|
|
Post by zack7895 on Jul 7, 2008 17:12:08 GMT
Hello! my name is zack,I'm new to this forum. i bought a erhu online last week and go it today, and boy has today been an exicting, yet horrible day..I'm exicted to have the erhu, but its been horrible, because im tottaly lost..
I apologize if these questions im about to ask have been answered already, but i tried looking for answers to my question and could not find them..
I'm lost in the dark, because i do not know chinese or anything
I've played guitar for 5 years now. I was sure with my musical understanding i could tune this, using the tuner, but i suppose not, since i broke a string, and i cannot get the other string to tune..
And also i do not understand AT ALL how you set up the bridge..
And with the one string i have left on the erhu, i cant get it to make a sound, but that could probably be because i cant tune it, or i dont have the bridge on..
or i could just suck...haha
thank you all, and please please help me! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by jetz320 on Jul 7, 2008 17:27:22 GMT
haha. welcome to the forum. um, first the bridge is always in the dead center on the python skin. your strings, i suggest you get the other string back. or it will be weird when you learn. i know many people have the new instrument feeling. thats when they dont want to hurt it or are over protective, but shove in the tuning pegs tightly. the string tention is pretty tight, but not so tight that it breaks. not getting a sound part is most likely due to the tuning. the bridge can be off from the center but it will still make a noise. so fixing the strings first, and then tuning. remember the pegs must be in tight.
|
|
|
|
Post by zack7895 on Jul 7, 2008 17:46:01 GMT
thank you jetz, so i tune the strings, and then put on the bridge? sorry im a little lost on the whole "making" the bridge thing if you will
|
|
|
|
Post by jetz320 on Jul 7, 2008 18:37:58 GMT
the bridge should be on the skin first, then put the strings on the little slits on the top of the bridge. at that point, then you tune the strings.'
and its ok that you dont understand the methods. haha. beginners are beginners. no pressure.
|
|
|
|
Post by davidmdahl on Jul 7, 2008 21:59:58 GMT
thank you jetz, so i tune the strings, and then put on the bridge? sorry im a little lost on the whole "making" the bridge thing if you will Don't tighten the strings very tight until the bridge is in place at about dead center of the skin. The strings should be tuned to D for the lower (inside) string, and A for the higher (outside) string. You can tune a little lower than that, for example C and G, but don't tune higher. The pitch for D is the note just above middle C on the piano. The strings hold the bridge against the snake skin. There is no need to glue it in place. Best wishes, David |
|
|
|
Post by davidmdahl on Jul 7, 2008 22:05:14 GMT
And with the one string i have left on the erhu, i cant get it to make a sound, but that could probably be because i cant tune it, or i dont have the bridge on.. You really need both strings and the bridge installed. It is also possible that there is no rosin on the bow. Hopefully some rosin came with the erhu, but if not, it is best to use a good quality violin rosin. I like the Pirastro Obligato rosin. It is much better than the typical cheap rosin that is usually packaged with a basic erhu. Best wishes, David |
|
|
|
Post by song on Jul 8, 2008 2:54:43 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by zack7895 on Jul 8, 2008 11:03:52 GMT
Hi Zack, If you can take a shot of your Erhu, we would be able to tell what's missing. Sung Wah Alright well, i got a little further this evening when i got off work, Keep in mind, i've rigged the bow up a diffrent way, so i can play the erhu left handed, because im lefthanded...does this alter anything? if so i can switch it back..and teach myself the righty way haha Ok well ive put on the bridge and everything, got the strings on, but i still cannot make a noise, if i pluck the strings it makes a sound..   is something im doing wrong? ive tried putting the rosin on the bow the correct way, but it didnt really improve much.. my next question is, is my quianjing set up incorrectly, i tried to do what this guy said on the VCD that came with my erhu but it didnt help much, im sorry im asking soo many questions, but the last time i played a stringed intersment was back in the 6th grade and it was a cello, so im a little lost...   my next question is.. there seems to be ALOT of space between the strings and the board(or neck?)...which im guessing i push down the string onto the neck to play diffrent notes, but it just seems like its too far away and too tight, like its going to snap if i do it, maybe im being over-protective of my new investment! haha  and also when the strings met at the quinjing they seem to like cometogether is that correct? did i do something wrong? Im full of soo many questions  Please help me set this up! and help me make music, so that i can enjoy this great piece of chinese history! -Zack *link for images if they did not show up before* i153.photobucket.com/albums/s240/zack7895/216803691781.jpg
i153.photobucket.com/albums/s240/zack7895/216803710085.jpg
i153.photobucket.com/albums/s240/zack7895/216803724165.jpg
i153.photobucket.com/albums/s240/zack7895/216803739525.jpg
i153.photobucket.com/albums/s240/zack7895/216803756805.jpg |
|
|
|
Post by jetz320 on Jul 8, 2008 18:04:49 GMT
it seems like your qianjin is to loose. the qianjin kind of pulls the strings down about 3/4 of an inch. Is that why theres no sound because its not tight enough? The strings wont snap because you press hard. But if you're pressing really hard to get a sound. It's maybe why. Erhu doesn't need a lot of pressure when you press the strings. Just by touching you should produce a tone.
|
|
|
|
Post by zack7895 on Jul 8, 2008 19:40:47 GMT
Is that why theres no sound because its not tight enough? The strings wont snap because you press hard. But if you're pressing really hard to get a sound. It's maybe why. . even when i press really hard i dont get a sound or anything... so i guess i should try to take off the qainjin and re-do/tie it I'll keep you updated on that, so if i fix that maybe i can get it to produce a sound? |
|
|
|
Post by jetz320 on Jul 8, 2008 20:03:23 GMT
most likely. the qianjin has push the strings down. the strings arent at the same 180 degree angle from the pegs to the bridge. it tilts down towards the neck and then back out. so i suggest re tying. yes. song has a video posted up on youtube. here you go. try it out. GOOD LUCK youtube.com/watch?v=SS6bs8UMutg |
|
|
|
Post by davidmdahl on Jul 8, 2008 22:45:25 GMT
Hello Zack,
From the photos it does not look like the qianjing is very tight. It is hard to judge, but you might experiment with a twist tie to see how different the sound and response is with a tighter qianjing.
If you are simply not getting any sound when bowing, it is likely that there is still not enough rosin on the bow. On a new bow, I will use 40-50 up-and-back strokes on each side of the bow, and sometimes more is necessary. The number of strokes will depend on the rosin. Some people score a cake of new rosin with a knife to get it started, but my erhu teacher recommends against that. He feels that it is much better to use more strokes to get the proper size of rosin dust on the bow hair.
It takes some experience to know when you have enough rosin on the bow. Just be sure to clean up any extra that sticks to the erhu or strings. You will need to reapply rosin from time to time as you break in the bow. If you have a cloud of rosin dust when you play the erhu, that is too much.
Best wishes,
David
|
|
|
|
Post by zack7895 on Jul 9, 2008 9:12:38 GMT
Hello Zack, From the photos it does not look like the qianjing is very tight. It is hard to judge, David so i did what you all said and tightened the qianjing, and i put the rosin on the bow, and still, still! my erhu will not play anote? idk what is up, maybe im just dumb..lol i dont know what should i do? try better rosin?? idk... here are some pictures on the qianjing...   p.s. now after putting lots of rosin on the bow, when i brush it against the strings it just makes like this metal noise, idk its hard to explain.. please help thank you all... -zack |
|
|
|
Post by jetz320 on Jul 9, 2008 16:13:12 GMT
umm. are you holding and stroking the bow correctly? the python skin should b facing the right. and when playing, you should make sure the motion is a bit strong. so the bow kind of digs into the string producing a bold sound. and the strings are tuned correctly?
|
|
may
Intermediate
Posts: 34
|
Post by may on Jul 9, 2008 16:54:06 GMT
Hello Zack,
Congrats to owning your first erhu! I will try to answer your questions.
"Ok well ive put on the bridge and everything, got the strings on, but i still cannot make a noise, if i pluck the strings it makes a sound.."
Make sure your inner string is tuned to D and outer string to A. Your bow hair is between the 2 strings.
is something im doing wrong? ive tried putting the rosin on the bow the correct way, but it didnt really improve much..
If this is a brand new bow, which I assume it is, you need to rosin it quite well to get it to play. If you feel the bow sliding off the string without much friction, most likely, you need more rosin.
my next question is, is my quianjing set up incorrectly, i tried to do what this guy said on the VCD that came with my erhu but it didnt help much, im sorry im asking soo many questions, but the last time i played a stringed intersment was back in the 6th grade and it was a cello, so im a little lost...
Someone else already answered this, so I will skip it.
my next question is.. there seems to be ALOT of space between the strings and the board(or neck?)...which im guessing i push down the string onto the neck to play diffrent notes, but it just seems like its too far away and too tight, like its going to snap if i do it, maybe im being over-protective of my new investment! haha
You do not press the strings all the way to the post. Unlike the violin or cello, there's no sound board on the erhu. Just the pressure of your fingers should produce a sound. Try play the open strings A and D first.
and also when the strings met at the quinjing they seem to like cometogether is that correct? did i do something wrong?
Im full of soo many questions
That's fine. The strings do meet at the qian jing.
Please help me set this up! and help me make music, so that i can enjoy this great piece of chinese history!
-Zack
Hope it helps! And welcome to the world of erhu. Your patience will pay off.
: ) May
|
|
|
|
Post by song on Jul 9, 2008 17:32:41 GMT
Zack a video next of how you play the erhu would be useful.
Your bridge and damper and qianjing looks fine. And if you say you have put a lot of rosin on the bow, what's left should be the way you play it.
The people in this forum is great isn't it? One request for help and everyone chips in.
SW
|
|
|
|
Post by YouLanFengChune on Jul 9, 2008 19:03:45 GMT
i think u should revert to right-handed bowing, zack - many great erhu players (who play right-handed) are actually lefties. i think u've mentioned that u sorta switched your bow around - that could be the problem. the standard erhu structure is not built for left-handed bowing.
|
|
|
|
Post by zack7895 on Jul 10, 2008 10:59:34 GMT
i think u should revert to right-handed bowing, zack - many great erhu players (who play right-handed) are actually lefties. i think u've mentioned that u sorta switched your bow around - that could be the problem. the standard erhu structure is not built for left-handed bowing. alrigh, haha sorry yall are porbably tired of hearing my erhu problems, buuuttt! ok, i re-did the bow, and everything put some rosin on the bow, learned how to hold the bow and such! but still! no no no sound, at all zero zero sound, i know the soundbox if you will is working, because i can pluck the strings and it makes a sound, please please someone help me, why am i so stupid i cant figure this out? help a newb out so i can start making beautiful music! please! -zack |
|
|
|
Post by calden on Jul 10, 2008 14:39:00 GMT
zack:
Hey there. First of all, you're not bothering us with your erhu problems. We've all been there. Besides, it's been quiet here on the erhu leg of the forum, so we're happy to have something to write about.
First piece of advice (if it hasn't been given already - I've only scanned the posts):
FIND A TEACHER. You indicate you live in "Texas, USA" which is a fairly large chunk of backyard, so I don't know exactly where you are. If you live anywhere near a large metro area there is sure to be someone who plays erhu.
You don't need a bonafide teacher (which would be great) but even just someone who can play a few tunes. You'd be surprised at the number of Chinese people who played as a kid - a LOT of people studied it in the Cultural Revolution for a year or two - and have one sitting in their closet. Just one visit with someone who plays will almost guarantee to indentify and solve your problem.
Secondly, try putting MORE PRESSURE on the bow. Have you ever played violin? Do you have access to one? Get a violin and very lightly drag the bow over the string. Then put a bit of pressure on the bow, RIGHT at the first instant of moving the bow. Feel that little crunch of contact with the string? THAT'S what you want to feel with the erhu. It's harder with the erhu because you don't have gravity as your friend as you do with a violin. You have to supply the pressure. When you hear erhu music, don't mistakenly think they're playing very lightly with just a little pressure. If you hear a good erhu player up close and personal, you notice that it's a loud little bugger of an instrument. Don't be shy about digging in with the bow to get that string singing.
Try those things. I'm serious about a teacher, even if you have to drive an hour or two (which in Texas is not big deal.) A couple of lessons will save you MONTHS of frustration. If you are not sure how to locate a teacher, try googling things like "chinese cultural center" for cities nearest you. Or call up the Chinese student association in the local university. Let us know where you live - we're pretty good detectives at this kind of thing.
Good luck, let us know..
Carlos
|
|
|
|
Post by jetz320 on Jul 10, 2008 15:34:57 GMT
yeah. i agree with calden and youlanfengchune. make sure you're holding the bow right, in the right hand. and that when you play, you are putting pressure into the string as i mentioned earlier. i also suggest posting a video of you playing. it would help us help you out a lot.
|
|
may
Intermediate
Posts: 34
|
Post by may on Jul 10, 2008 21:08:06 GMT
Hi Zack, If your bow is properly rosined, even if you can't get a nice smooth sound, you should still be able to get some sounds. "Zero" sound makes me wonder if your bow has enough rosin, or you're not putting any pressure on the strings at all from your bowing. Additionally you need to exert some pressure with your finger to press the bow hair against the string when pulling or pushing the bow. Unlike a violin or cello bow, where the bow hair tension is higher. For erhu bow, you need to use your ring finger to push against the bow hair when bowing the inner D string, and middle finger against the bamboo, away from the bow hair, so the bow hair is hitting the outer A string. Give it another try.  May alrigh, haha sorry yall are porbably tired of hearing my erhu problems, buuuttt! ok, i re-did the bow, and everything put some rosin on the bow, learned how to hold the bow and such! but still! no no no sound, at all zero zero sound, i know the soundbox if you will is working, because i can pluck the strings and it makes a sound, please please someone help me, why am i so stupid i cant figure this out? help a newb out so i can start making beautiful music! please! -zack |
|
|
|
Post by zack7895 on Jul 10, 2008 21:46:18 GMT
zack: FIND A TEACHER. Carlos Hey Carlos! thanks for you advice, well I live in Abilene,TX which is like 3 hours from Dallas. So i looked up chinese cutrual center in dallas, and the one i found, i tried to email and call and both didnt work, so maybe its not there anymore? I ran a search in google at the local universty for a chinese student association, but it didnt do much good, it just told me the name of ther group and the guys name that runs it... welll.....any ideas? and i'll post a video of me bowing or something verysoon! |
|
|
|
Post by calden on Jul 10, 2008 22:32:05 GMT
Zack: Call the guy who runs the student association. Tell him you have an erhu and are looking for someone - anyone - who might know how to play it. Also call the cultural center in Dallas and leave lots of messages. These places are often run very part-time and basically do a few celebrations a year. There's a Chinese School in Ft. Worth that looks promising: www.fwchineseschool.com/contact.htmlThey look like they promote a lot about Chinese culture. They'd probably be thrilled to field a call from you wanting to play erhu. Here's another one: The Texas Performing Chinese Arts Association in Plano, which looks to be just north of Dallas: www.pandaus.org/index.htmlIf they know anyone closer to Abilene they'd be happy to tell you. These groups exist to promote Chinese Culture not only within the Chinese community but to expose it to the greater community. I can't imagine them NOT wanting to be helpful. At the very least you could arrange a lesson, take a day and drive in. I'd also call the Chinese restaurants in Abilene. I'm sure someone's got an old Uncle living at home who saws away on his erhu from time to time. Carlos |
|
|
|
Post by sanmenxia on Jul 13, 2008 16:50:23 GMT
If you're getting no sound at all with the bow but you can hear something when you pluck, the only thing I can think of is that there is no rosin on the bow hair. If your erhu is set up correctly, you should hear something regardless of your bowing technique.
One possibility is that your strings have crossed over, but even then you should hear a thin high pitch scratchy noise. If you look at the erhu with the snakeskin facing you, the thicker D string should go from the erhu base to the qianjin and then to the top peg keeping to the left.
|
|
May