1. klang but i willing to travel to subang or pj
2. play for fun 
3. i score A in spm mandarin subject, no worries

i prefer good instructors, age or sex isn't a problem 

1. klang but i willing to travel to subang or pj ................. i hate traffic Jam.....
2. play for fun  ............................ so u n me are the same; just learn and play for FUN... no pressure.
3. i score A in spm mandarin subject, no worries ...... waahhhh very tong kong lar.... myself a banana man .mandarin 

i prefer good instructors, age or sex isn't a problem  .... leng chai makes lessons  more interesting... tis frd of mine is NOT only leng chai but execellent in ERHU ...

hey all,

just wondering, is there any modern songs that we can play with Gu Zheng?
or are they any english songs? haha.. just thinking of the variety of songs we can play =)

and also, any nice websites to search for the 'pu' (whats the correct term for this in english? music sheet? )

Cassie your post number 63 was the reason I found this place. Like you I just want to compare notes with guzheng players who are not my class mates (I stand corrected here). I can ask my laoshi difficult pieces in which the most senior student is currently playing and he will tell me is medium level. None of my class mates are taking exams so we really did not care. Sometimes you just want to know where you are base on certain established standards.

Subang maybe you can help after consulting your daughters. At what grade would a person start using the left hand to press the strings. What grade would be playing with both hands (right hand plays melody and left hand plays bass). It would be nice if you can tell me for the Dun Huang and Beijing syllabus.

Hey Hey.. your younger one so geng! Going for performance also.. how did she get those performance job? from her sifus? haha.. tell us when she performing.. i will go attend!   

Form recorder to sax there is an edge because the fingering is the same, right Subang?

Thanks Subang,

I am also what you called a “banana”. I learnt chinese with a Chinese-English Dictionary and through lyrics of Cantonese songs back in the 90s. I command a good vocabulary for single characters but have difficulties with compound words (eg electric brain = computer). I have problems understanding written formal mandarin because of these compound words. I guess, you have to be educated in mandarin for that. What syllabus is this, Beijing or Dun Huang?

Hi Subang,

MDGB is a good dictionary. It has the most extensive range of compound words compare to the many (book form and online) I had used. Even if you throw in some Cantonese words, it will show an entry. All the dictionaries that I know will not list Cantonese words. If you want to learn Chinese don’t lose hope and keep at it. In 5 years your vocabulary will increase to a satisfactory level.

By the way, guzheng makers makes the wooden box you call coffin for each instrument. This is to provide protection during transportation. I am not as fortunate to buy my guzheng in Malaysia. I live in a Malay area and seldom frequent places out of the golden triangle. When I could not find guzheng in Sungei Wang and Chinatown, I shopped for it online. That contributed to my knowledge of knowing what to look for when buying one. I end up buying my guzheng in Macau. At the shop the lady gave me a choice between the box and a vinyl bag. She tried to convince me to take the bag saying it is lighter to carry. Concerned about transporting in back I asked if the box can provide adequate protection. She replied that all guzheng are transported from china by these boxes. She gave me more assurance saying so many instruments had been transported over the years and there was no problem. Sure enough I brought the set home in good condition but the stand that comes with it was broken. I am surprise to learn in Malaysia they replaced the box with a vinyl bag and attempt to sell you the box and stand.

I even had cheap plastic plectrums and a CD on guzheng thrown in with the purchase. When ever you had to kill time waiting for your daughters, can you find out the range of plectrums available. One of mine went missing. Thanks

Subang, your wife must be PRC.

For anyone interested to learn, contact me at 012-5185122 or through the forums. I've got a friend who teaches in the PJ area, just around the Curve.

hiee guyss!! i'm back! hahaa.. been away for quite some time due to workload from studies!

  been a bit busy lately.. haha.. anyway, great that we are able to exchange opinion.. is really helps to open up our mind..     

agree wif you.. if we don't have any interest in it, it would be boring.. haha.. so hav to wait for subangman's answer to comfirm whether u will be going or not la? haha.. i really wan to go.. haiz..   

btw, how long hav u been learning the gu zheng? haha..

Hi Cassie,

It is nice to hear from you because you had been silent for a while. I felt they insulted the two instruments that I love the most by making them the back up. You have made your point. I should see how they fair as back rather than imagine it. I appreciated comments because it helps me to maintain an open mind.

The reasons to go will remain unchanged. I will go only if Subang’s daughters are performing. If the instruments don’t appeal to you, there would be no interest to watch it. To watch someone you know or children of people you know would be different. You are watching the performer to give support (like a fan).

Okay, now this sounds like fun. I am going. I know one MPO member. She is from Oz. I learnt from her that any performance staged at MPO had to philharmonic class. No ang mo is also very pleasing to hear. I am all for locals are as good perhaps better.

Subang check out if it is free seating. If seats are numbered I had to buy the ticket early.

Cassie, I had been playing for 2 years. It is my first formal music lesson. I was taught how to read by my choir master during school days. It will take me a long time to make it out even with “face” on the staff. Like Subang I love to learn music when I was young. My case was I never ask my mother because I figured she will so no. My first instrument was the harmonica. I still read notes slowly. I figure that blowing frequently into it will get me familiar with it. I became the play by ear type after 6 months. Then I took a more expansive instrument – the cheap Kapok guitar. It took me a year to be able hold down a chord and change chords in a split second. After that I had confidence in my ability to pick up music and start formal music lesson.

Subang, thanks for giving us a peek preview into the program. I have problems with “bo who hair pun a sai”. Without fish, prawns will do. I think it should be the other way around. Prawns are more expensive than fish.

MPO is actually about nurturing local philharmonic orchestra. Given the typical white supremacy mentality, they started as an all white orchestra. They hired second graders from white nations for a 2 year contract. If these ang mo cannot groom a local to their level then they failed the contract. If they made it they received a bonus and go home. It took MPO awhile to start looking east. Now I see more Japanese and Koreans in the program. Incorporating Chinese instruments in the program is a big leap in their look east mentality. I guess China becoming a world super power had something to do with it. Conservatories in Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian regarded the guzheng as the main instrument.

Subang, you must encourage mei mei (as a Chinese family I am sure that is how your squad refer to your younger daughter). Hopefully she will be the star when MPO gives guzheng the center stage. I will be there in the crowd saying to guys beside me, “I know that girl”.

^.^  I couldn't take leave on wed.. haha.. weekdays are busy for me.. too many appointments.. if i cancel 1 appointment, i will have a hard time finding time to replace it.. haha.. i just settle all my replacement..   

anyway, good luck on Subangman's troup! ^.^ Tell us about it after the performance ya! haha..     

Cassie,

I guess you have been there. It is my first time. I wonder if you can smuggle a wineskin in. I am sure Subang would consider this a viable option.

yes! please fill me in..       

btw, if u hav credit cards, u can just purchase the tickets online.. if i remember correctly, you can get to choose the seatings as well.. ^.^

Yes, you are right empire. This is my first time going to MPO. I did mention it in the previous post.

Cassie thanks for the information on the alertness of the ushers at MPO. By the way, are these ushers of bouncers' size?

So, they will seize my camera if I took a photo?

So, they will seize my camera if I took a photo?

Cassie, you mean my question on the seating was funny? I have not been there. By looking at their map, I am trying to determine if I had a good seat. Putting C in front and A in back row is very confusing.