Erquan tuning

[davidmdahl]

Recently I got a new erhu from Eason, and am loving it. My previous main instrument is a Man Rui Xin Ebony (Ebony Sandalwood?). It is quite a fine erhu itself, with lots of potential, but not in the same class as the new one. I can't afford to have lots of unplayed instruments laying around, so I had a decision to make. So, this weekend I installed erquan strings on the MRX erhu, and tuned it down to G/D. Wow, what a sound! I often play zhonghu in my teacher's ensemble. The zhonghu is a bit of work to play, since the sensitivity takes a hit from the thicker strings and snake skin. Even with the erquan strings, the MRX has sensitivity in spades. It will be a pleasure to play the MRX instead of my zhonghu.

Best wishes,

David

[jetz320]

interesting to know. ill try that out one day on a good erhu. im still trying to find a version or an erhu that sounds like the one Song Fei used in vienna back in 1997 when she performed er quan. very difficult. her erhu was from dunhuang though i believe.