Hello there!

I recently started taking Gu Zheng lessons during summer for fun, and it turned out to be quite interesting!
Currently, I am even considering of getting one to practice at home!

I am really new to this instrument and has zero musical background.
I am 21 years old and this is my first instrument I am learning! *shy*

I was wondering if are there anybody else playing Gu Zheng in this forum?
Would mind sharing your experience or give the newbies some tips?

For instance, I planning to get one for myself, but the instrument is quite pricey, any tips?

For those who do not know, this is Gu Zheng..




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guzheng

ok.... some how today is ur lucky day...

Few quest... and answer to ur quest.

1. where r u now ? Malaysia or aboard... if in Malaysia; location pls... as tis will help me to give u precise info.
2. if zero back ground in music.. never mind as the music score can be different from the normal musical notes...
3. I dun play a guzheng (i am a Sax player ) but my 2 daughters do.... i have 3 guzhengs @ home... 1 is a 21 nylon strings, 1 is a 23 steel strings and the other is a 21 nylon strings (note A) due to its size... we bought it just like tat ... until today i dun no why ! .. but handy when travelling....
4. u need to buy a guzheng for practice..... i dun think tat there is any shop renting one @ the moment......
5. there are 2 major school / clan / syllabus i should say in Malaysia ... the Dong huang and the Beijing orchestra ... one is easy and the other one is intersiting...............
the Dong Huang will be using the steel strings while the Beijing use the nylon strings and turtle shell nails....
6. my gals started about .. well i can say 5yrs ago.... both in the steel strings .... after both of the passed their Grade 3 test... one of the option to drop out to concentrate in her Dip. Music in piano while not neglecting her SPM.(O level). (guzheng is the second/ third instrument to them).
My younger daughter quit Dong Huang syllabus and joined the Beijing syllabus as she finds it more challenging.. so from Grade 1 again after 2 yrs in the previous one......within 3yrs she made to Grade 7 now... passed her Grade 5 exam early last yr....... so its not that bad as far as i notice.
7. price wise of quzheng varies....... depends ur budget and generousity..... i say from RM few hundreds to thousands..... from a normal plywood to a soild zither wood.

i hope tis will give u a starting point ......

This post has been edited by subangman: Jan 8 2010, 10:48 AM

subangman...from the way you wrote...I thought you were a Guzeng specialist! hehehe....

hyumi...guzeng is a wonderful instrument if played with feelings. Many palyers i saw play without any expression. I have a smaller guzeng at home that I bring for my shows with my Shanghai Angels Fusion Bands.

i am a music lover............ when i was young due to famili financial situation and enviroment ... i was deprevied from venturing into music.

but after i started my famili.... all my kids been encourage to learn up music if they like... so when ever they want to learn something new.. like guzheng... it took me awhile to do some research personally from buying instruments/classes/exam. etc... they are young and my HM & I have to do our role lor...

at times i prefer to invest into instruments for them rather than changing cars every now and then..

btw : u should upgrade the small guzheng to a normal full size one... prefer 21 nylon strings... rong 木 more mellow or zither loud and crips.

.......... nice hand cravings.... it's worth it... i got mine less than RM7,000 for the rong 木 and RM5000 for the Zither ... overall worth it.



This post has been edited by subangman: Jan 8 2010, 12:57 PM

hey subangman!
i'm in Malaysia, living and taking classes in PJ =)
I'm learning 21 strings, but i am not sure what the material is ><
and yes, i really need a Gu Zheng to practice, because each week I go to class I kept trying to recall last week's lesson with no practice at all!
but fortunately, the place that I learning allows us to rent a room for practice at a minimal price..
I have never heard of Dong Huang or Beijing Orchestra.. do they do performances?
Wow, sounds like your family are really into music!
i was thinking of getting a nice Gu Zheng that is sufficient for me to practice until Grade 8.. yet I do not want to invest heavily on it because my tuition fees in uni is already taxing for my parents.. so my budget would be around RM2k the most?
any ideas of which wood and string to choose?
There's a place in Ikano Power Centre called Euphony selling about RM2k - RM4k... they even have second hands at RM1980, haha not sure if thats a good buy!

hahaa.. yes it is a wonderful music.. it has very special type of sound compare to other instrument..
it's like modern yet traditional in a way.. i dunno if i am describing it properly haha..
not sure about feelings, but my instructor keeps telling me i am playing it the wrong way,
she says i use 'niu li' (cow strength), according to her, I need to learn how to play softly yet powerful.. ><


it's good to encourage your children into music!
i wish my parents did that when i was young!
haha, otherwise i won't be starting at the age of 21!
the ability to learn and absorb not as good now lol..

i can play a gu zheng but nv learn it XD

just saja saja play my friends gu zheng or my tuition teacher's gu zheng.

first identify the minor pentatonic scale of the guzheng, and they put in a chinese pentatonic song, next play the bass note with the root of the chords!

i know its the wrong way to play but man playing guzheng so fun and relaxing ^^~!

[quote=hyumi,Jan 10 2010, 03:24 PM]
hey subangman!
i'm in Malaysia, living and taking classes in PJ =)
{ then there are only 4 places i am very aware of :-
1. SS2 behind Poh Kong .. tat's Dung Huang (my 1st Guzheng from there)
2. SS2 behind Tropicana Mall .. KeeJean.... Alan owes the place Beijing Syallbus... my 2nd guzheng from there and my 3rd one from Shanghai trip wit my HM }
3. near Catholic school (Beijing syallbus) .... every fri... my daughter 2nd jamming place... preparing for show @klcc CNY... 3-4pcs instruments.
4. Euphony (Beijing syallbus)........ every sun.... jam ... 10-20 pax

I'm learning 21 strings, but i am not sure what the material is >< {its of nylon coated steel strings }
and yes, i really need a Gu Zheng to practice, because each week I go to class I kept trying to recall last week's lesson with no practice at all!
but fortunately, the place that I learning allows us to rent a room for practice at a minimal price.. { very likely u r in Alan place.. RM5 to 8 per hr but u cannot take home...... }

I have never heard of Dong Huang or Beijing Orchestra.. do they do performances? {as i said they are the syallbus just like ABRSM or Trinity syllabus.... ask ur sifu... exam wat syallbus}

Wow, sounds like your family are really into music! { yes... u can say tat... comman interst amongst all the famili members}

i was thinking of getting a nice Gu Zheng that is sufficient for me to practice until Grade 8.. yet I do not want to invest heavily on it because my tuition fees in uni is already taxing for my parents.. so my budget would be around RM2k the most?
{got but if brand new... just of plywood.... just like a Kapok brand guitar.... cheap,serve the purposes and tat's it }

any ideas of which wood and string to choose? { i perfer 21 nylon.... rong wood or zither wood}

There's a place in Ikano Power Centre called Euphony selling about RM2k - RM4k... they even have second hands at RM1980, haha not sure if thats a good buy! {i am there now... my 2nd daughter jamming there every weekend ... full orchestra .. there 2 guzhengs, 1 yang cheng, i think 5-7 erhus, 5-8 flutist, 2 pipas,..... {amateurs group}...4pm to 6ps.... i send her here .. then i lepak @ gloria jean/coffee bean till 6pm....
I check it later ... and let u know.... good buy or NOT....

hahaa.. yes it is a wonderful music.. it has very special type of sound compare to other instrument..
it's like modern yet traditional in a way.. i dunno if i am describing it properly haha..
not sure about feelings, but my instructor keeps telling me i am playing it the wrong way,
she says i use 'niu li' (cow strength), according to her, I need to learn how to play softly yet powerful.. >< {yes... u need the "feel"}

it's good to encourage your children into music!
i wish my parents did that when i was young! { well as i said ... i was deprived when i was young... now i can do and let my kids to take up wat ever they want...... in fact my 2nd daughter been aimming for a 61 strings harp for a long time.... i need to travel to Pakistan to get her a value for $ one.... but it's very diffucult to find a sifu in KL except MPO.... so she might need to learn it up herself if i get her one ....}

haha, otherwise i won't be starting at the age of 21! { dun b sad... i started of with a cheap skate yamaha plastic flute when i was 13yrs .. i like to blow the trumpet .. the band majaor said NO as i was a bit small size kid @ tat time.... so i blew that cheaplat thing for 3yrs... until recently i got my alto black laquer SAX... }
the ability to learn andbsorb not as good lol................ { dun worry.... take it easy... UNI course work 1ST.... plenty of time for guzheng ... trust unkel }..............

i haven't been back to see my sifu nearly ... 3-4mths alridi... too busy making $$$$$.....LOL.... cina ah pek mah..

---

Added on January 10, 2010, 5:15 pm[quote=empire,Jan 8 2010, 10:54 AM]
subangman...from the way you wrote...I thought you were a Guzeng specialist! hehehe....

hyumi...guzeng is a wonderful instrument if played with feelings. Many palyers i saw play without any expression. I have a smaller guzeng at home that I bring for my shows with my Shanghai Angels Fusion Bands.

[/quote]


well i am an old cina ah pek... tipu & cali makan ... can onli give 2sen worth opinions... lol.

but it can b helpful to those who need it ... and happened guzheng is one of major instrument @ home...

This post has been edited by subangman: Jan 10 2010, 05:15 PM

is learning guzheng expensive...if i cant read chinese can i still play it. please recommend me a plade to learn.thanks

nope... just like other instruments..... starting from RM120/0.5hr to hr/4 weeks to blah blah blah.. depends on grade, contact hours and tutor (sifu chai as i call them).

place to learn.... read above postin....

dun need to know "man-the-lin" ... u need to know music beats, tempo, scores and MOSTLY interest.... else half way u go leeway ..and end to no way ! .. monies spent to a piece of WOOD !

This post has been edited by subangman: Jan 10 2010, 09:08 PM

learning guzheng?
nope, fees are normal.

buying guzheng? another story.

cant read chinese? no problem.
cant read notation? no problem.
cause its gu zheng use the notation in numbers.

eg
.
1 2 3 4 5 1

means

do re mi fa so do(higher do)

Hyumi : I just got back from Euponhy... seen the guzheng that u mentioned.... RM1850.00... i think overall ok lor... but i dun like its carving.... very dull & simple..... but the most important part is its top piece of wood(sound board) is NOT varnished.... so can mature ... dun like sound board which highly varnished...
it's a D scale guzheng... not the F scale one.. so if i were u... limited budget .. start wit it... then after grad... earn some money..... go china holiday.... play play ... see see.... if found one nice... bring it back..... but before buying ... PLEASE go to SS2 Keejean... look see, look see, go to Dung Huang; shop around....go Sunway Mentari (same row with Magnum 4-D) and see also (tis place is where u b attendin the Beijing Orchestra syallbus exam),.............. dun make hasty decisions...unless Santa is paying

Btw: u need to buy 2 guzheng stand, mayb a round chinese stool, a BIG "coffin" box to keep ur precious wood.... normally they give only a plastic cheap skate carry bag..... oh yeah.... the guzheng cover..... if u got ur guzheng alridi... PM me i teach u how to make a nice cheap pretty guzheng cover...... with "龙 soo"... less than RM30

This post has been edited by subangman: Jan 10 2010, 11:33 PM

You can buy a cheap keyboard Stand to place the Guzeng,. That's what I do. You can position the height in a greater dimension than a normal Guzeng stand.

or u can squat and play

but bad for u spine n back of course

then u need to buy a bar stool ... better still "borrow' from a friendly pub .....and get a extra height music stand ...

My small Guzeng is wonderful when we travel outstation for shows as it does not take up much space in the car boot.

woooohhh ... u do road show

empire very lucky, got pretty performers XD

The place I am learning from is different from what Subangman mentioned I think, I am learning in Taman Megah from a young chinese lady.
She charges RM 100 / month + RM 80 for materials which last up until grade 8 =)
would you want her contact?

wow, i am really lucky to have you guiding me in this! =D
hmm, what do mean by can mature the sound board?
okay, i will have a look around first, where's SS2 Keejean??
maybe more location details because I am quite lost with PJ actually haha..
thanks alot!


then there are only 4 places i am very aware of :-
1. SS2 behind Poh Kong .. tat's Dung Huang (my 1st Guzheng from there)
2. SS2 behind Tropicana Mall .. KeeJean.... Alan owes the place Beijing Syallbus... my 2nd guzheng from there and my 3rd one from Shanghai trip wit my HM }

is it this one: http://www.keejan.com/ ?
can't seem to find anything on Dong Huang tou ><

my teacher said her institute (Resonant Music Academy) will be getting some Gu Zhengs straight from China.. she suggested for me to wait coz it will cheaper compare to market price =)

and I tot the Gu Zheng stands comes with it? as well as the box? ><

ooo... you do shows eh?
thats nice! any upcoming events that we can watch? =D

This post has been edited by hyumi: Jan 12 2010, 03:17 AM

hi folks. You can see my Shanghai Angels Band here:

www.empireshowbiz.com.my

You can see my cute small GuZeng there.

---

Added on January 12, 2010, 10:53 amhyumi...yes...can you pm me your guzeng teacher's no and name?

This post has been edited by empire: Jan 12 2010, 10:53 AM

hyumi- can u please pm me her contact number too..thanks

hyumi:

ok.... looks like u r on a prvt course... i dun need her contact.. thx anyway as the gals sifu is fine..and i like him.. .he used to come to my house giving clasese until his timetable is packed then he requested to b at music center in Taipan....... u can see him everynow and then in major concerts/competitions/functions ....and more over i hate LDP... always jam like hell...

Dong Huang center is on top of Pangkor (or some sort) fish head curry ... same row with McD opp. the SS2 food court... 1st floor.

KeeJan is correct..... Alan is the boss......... btw Alan and his wife also very 'geng' in guzheng... but unfortunately they only teach G6 above students and their fees not cheap...... 'pro teacher' meh... he also got std teachers there & with std fees ....just like u ask a MPO fella to teach, fees will b different compare from my gal.... lol (she also can teach... G7 ... and she is just 15yrs old ...lol)...
"I AM NOT a sales/promoter for ALAN" ...

Wat ur teacher said is correct... and so as i said too.... dun make hasty decisions.... wait,shop, compare then buy unless SANTA is paying

Guzheng comes with stand and BOx.... yeah... u will b veri lucky then..... a pair of so call standard stand cost u near to RM100....and a nice stand can cost u few hundreds.... stool is about say RM150....AND tat BIG black 'coffin' NOT cheap lar.... if they throw it in .. keep it for ur future guzheng shipment back from china..... normally they will give u a nylon bag only.....as the guzheng shipment often in container....bulk shipment mah... boxes take alot of space. and its so big that i can even fit in tat BOX.... !!!!tats why my HM calls it a 'coffin'.....

i dun do shows... my daughter does for competitons or shows just for fun and extra pocket money if there is a chance.... as i said i am a SAX =>Saxaphone player... all of us (my famili & i) take music as past time... not to cali makan.... i am 100% certain i can't feed my famili if i am a musician even i reach to a level as good as Dato Ahmad Nawab.....(no offence to any pro musician here) .... mayb next time when i am semi retire doing it for charity during gala nites... lol

PM me if u like to watch some guzheng clips.... btw u need fbook to watch.....
oh ya ...there is a group in fbook for guzheng..... and u join in..opens for public....starter is from penang ... i am in tat group too..... watch out for hell rider.

http://www.facebook.com//photo.php?pid=294...gid=34368005257

---

Added on January 12, 2010, 7:47 pmseen ur guzheng.... F scale type...right? why dun u get a std scale guzheng since u r a Pro ?

waahhh... looks like recruitment time .......

This post has been edited by subangman: Jan 12 2010, 08:02 PM

subangman...no. I tuned mine to 'D'. Actually you can tune it in any key you want as long as the strings still ring nicely.

hey empire and serene,
I've already pm-ed you my teacher's contact =)
hmm.. empire, why do want my teacher's contact, you already going roadshows!


haha yes indeed! LDP always jam! I'm a student, so i get to choose off-peak hours for classes =D
i'd probably learn all I can first then only consider about upgrading to the higher standard of learning (if i ever reach there that is ><)
yeah, i checked out the website and they did mentioned Alan is a pro.. I've seen many big advertisements on Regal Orchestra too!
With such big advertisements, their fees must really be expensive ><

hahaa, do tell us when you or daughter is performing, then we can go support support =D
earlier you mentioned they are going to perform during cny or something??
really envy your daughter! she has a talent at such a young age >< she can go join the '1 minute fame' competition on TV dy! lol..

i did joined a Gu Zheng group on FB too.. but a different one..
here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6030744423&ref=ts
i left a message there not too long, i guess it's easy to identify who is it hehe..

This post has been edited by subangman: Jan 17 2010, 04:53 PM

Seems quite coincident that this thread started right when myself is starting to learn Guzheng.
I've got to my first lesson last week and I was quite nervous and stressed because I have lil' confident of myself...so was kinda not relaxed.
Looking forward for my second lesson and I hope to learn up better this time around!

As for buying Guzheng...I don't know why the ones you guys mentioned are so expensive...we could prolly get new ones at below 1K or 1.5K max for really good ones that will cater more than enough as your start-up.
I was tempted to get a fancy one for myself too (because we need Guzheng at home to practice!), but rationally, unless you love to see pretty pretty design, then go for a second hand or some less expensive new Guzheng first.

I believe if I would want to do good in this, then I will have to put my heart in it. Even if some people tells you that you should try out for a month or two before knowing you really like it (and buying the instrument), I feel you can't go far without practicing at home. And you'll tend to forget about what's taught easier since it's gonna be only once a week (30mins-an hour!).

Happy to see active discussion here and would drop by on and off

subangman=do u mind if u can share with me the guzheng teacher contact number as the one hyumi gave me is in ss2,as i prefer a place nearer to my place???
thanks alot

sori for the late respond... busy yst and today...... check ur PM box....

helloooo!! =)

My Gu Zheng teacher just got some stocks from China!
there is one that cost about RM2300 and it's brand new!
it's tempting ahaha, and according to her, the sound is nice and could last me a lifetime.
sounds like it's worth it right?
I think I am going for that =D

Will post the picture here if I can ^^

lil' hyumi.............. go with ur heart .... wat wood ?

GU Zheng is an traditional instrument from Chian, right? The string is a little seem like Guitar~~~ But, it is totally different with Guitar~~~

Is your teacher a chinese?

hyumi...no need spend so much la. Gte a mini- gu zeng like mine good enough d. i use even for professional shows. the sound's wonderful.

ok.... this is an additional advice.

do get a better / decent one if you intend to sit for your grading test. Check with her if u will be with CCOM; (Central Conservatory of Music).
if yes... then go for a decent one. ( i suspect u will b as u mentioned 21 nylon strings)

one cannot learn piano by using a keyboard and sit for ABRSM/Trinity/Yamaha grading ...

i've seen maddie's course mate struggling to tune that piece of JUNK provided for exam... finally i offered her maddie's guzheng
as i couldn't bear to see her going thru the hardship b4 exam.

but if u intend to bring the guzheng with you along the road.... go wit ur heart ... accompany luggage veri $$$$ and you might not b sitting for
your grading there..... (course work is PRIORITY).

here is a helpful link :- http://www.uscycs.org/assets/docs/Exam-English.pdf
(exam center is near our place; Sunway mentari)

This not only for guzheng .... all chinese instrument in fact.

I met a Malaysian Indian budder there sitting for his G4 ERHU ...

so as one said :- Music breaks the language barriers and enthusiasts their soul.

---

Added on January 23, 2010, 1:42 am........................ not really...recently i've seen a very experience guitar player tat played his guitar like a guzheng...

Is your teacher a chinese?
so far i have only seen chinese teacher only either Malaysian Chinese or PRC ... not yet Mat salleh.. mayb in other countries;...i dun know.

This post has been edited by subangman: Jan 23 2010, 02:23 AM

I asked my teacher about grading exams before, she said mine is neither dong huang or beijing.. it's Malaysia -.-
lol.. and she says the exams will be taken place in the centre that i am learning where the examiners will be invited to the centre and grade us..

and empire, i agree with subangman that i should get a decent one..
coz, i think it's better to get the same as the one that I am learning, it should be a good investment that can last me quite long..
i won't get confused too when I am learning haha.. (i am a slow learner!)
even if one day i were to get bored of it or needed cash, I can sell it as second hand... right? haha..

i haven;t check out other places that subangman mentioned tou,
but i think Rm2300 for a new one should be a catch, isn't it?
I am not sure what wood issit, i forgot to ask.. i'll ask my teacher more on Tuesday and get back to you =D


This post has been edited by hyumi: Jan 23 2010, 02:33 AM

Hyumi :-

Here is some clips for encouragement and draw interest .. all these are exam pieces for CCOM............ solo

G3 :- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuj7kY4QCr8&NR=1 {still one hand playin} 渔舟唱晚

G5 :- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKLu36ivLyM&NR=1 (same as the one played in Klang Parade u seen) (2hands alridi) 浏阳河

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHDgTRTi-bQ&feature=related 浏阳河

G8/G9 :- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORH7wi1tAbY&feature=related (tis one is compulsory piece) 戰颱風 (very powerful song)

Hahaha ... learning guzheng is not just plucking few strings to produce sound.

i will try to send u my fav. guzheng performance.... very entertaining.

23 steel strings (D scale)

21 nylon strings (D scale)

21 nylon strings (F scale)

This post has been edited by subangman: Jan 23 2010, 03:02 PM

Seems really interesting but to buy one seems pricey!
Wonder where to get in Penang

Does the string hurt your fingers?
Like guitar...painful!
Or do you have some sort of protective fingertips glove lol

quzheng not expensive lar....starting from few hundreds to thousands only; depends ur taste.
comparing to piano, brass/woodwind,etc..$$$

fingers hurt.. dun think so.... u wear turtle shell as spectrum...

This post has been edited by subangman: Jan 24 2010, 04:34 PM

My teacher told me that it's best to get something not expensive first and if you really love it and if you progress to somewhat Grade 5 or above, then treat yourself a better one that would match your skills.
What's the use in getting something more than 2k now...

I'm gonna buy my first Guzheng and it's RM1.5K. More than enough for its quality and everything else

By the way, I kept reading how you guys are thinking about sitting for exams, the grading, etc.
You know, it's nothing really like piano where you have to follow such rigid rules of sitting for every single grade and be bounded by it. This Guzheng, you can just learn and learn and who cares about the certification unless you want something to prove that you're good at it at certain level. I'll be sitting for the exam only I'm few levels up. Saves money without having to take at every level.

But then again, perhaps I'm more into the satisfaction of learning how to play it rather than see it as a qualification of some sort.

wat she told u is 100% correct... u never know how long ur passion will last.... unless SANTA is paying for it.

u r right ... no specific rules but ur teacher can tell u his/her ratings on u whether u r ready to sit for it or otherwise.

my gal re-start with CCOM G1-G5 in less than 3yrs.(onlt take the test in G5).... she got a Distinction and now she is in middle preparing for her G7 test in August.
U r right... who really cares about grade one completed..unless he/she wants to be a music teacher..... to me gradings just self satisfaction and assesment and a way of guiding the teacher how to teach the student.

I'm learning back my woodwind now... and i told my sifu chai... no test & no class unless i call him... it shall be my rule and payment upon
class finishes.... and i shall determine the duration too @ each time.(unless he is not free).. in his studio.... my sifu chai also .

ur r right again ... ABRSM/Trinity/Yamaha system is very rigid... tat's why i prefer prvt. tutor... i dun need any cert to make a single meal ...

but my gals have no choice as both in ABRSM/Yamaha for their 1st instrument.... i told them it's wise to complete what have been started off
unless the passion is no longer burning.

my eldest daughter still pending to re-commence her lessons in 23 steel strings..else that piece of wood will b another furniture in my house....

This post has been edited by subangman: Jan 24 2010, 11:59 PM

yes i know for my standard now, I should get a cheap one.
But since I've already decided to continue learning (i paid for the materials up to grade 8).. I don't see the point of buying a cheaper one and then upgrading it to a better level when I am grade 5 or so.. i think it would be more expensive that way.. my as well just buy one that can last me forever.. probably the only expense would be maintaining it which I do not think it would be that expensive..

I'd say pls dont bother with exams. I play Gu zeng, Erhu, zhongRuan, Dizi plus many more western instruments...and I dont see any need to go for exam....yet I play all these professionally full time.

You dont need any cert. Even my Piano performance diploma was NEVER used at all even after i completed it eons ago. Not even once!

Go learn and ENJOY the instrument. Once you get into the silly exam nonsense....it will kill your enthusiasm. Hope these words will inspire you all.

Hello there,
i am learning guzheng too,and i am from Penang.nice to meet u all~
i learned from MR.Lai Ah Lai for years and now i am taking up guzheng major degree at Beijing CCOM,
learning frm Yuansha.
If u can read chinese,maybe these websites can help u

http://www.qinzheng.org/index.php

http://www.guzheng.cn/

TQ veri much for ur info .... i banana man lar.... mandarin myself {luckily got goggle to translate}

Glad to know that u take the ultimate effort in advancing the art of music ... hope u will graduate soon and return home to guide
the youngsters here...... knowing to play any instrument and playing few songs is not hard but to master any kind of instrument and be
recognised for the competency is not easy.

So as wat been defined in wikipedia :The word professional traditionally means a person who has obtained a degree in a professional field; a person who performs commercially in a field typically reserved for hobbyists or amateurs.

Simple : even a Engineering degree holder grad. with 10yrs or more experince cannot be consider a Professional unless he/she is accepted by the Board ! then he/she will carry a title to b recoginsed for the competency.

The only way to gauge one competency is thru examinations not just by fiddle around and can consider professional.

During my uni days i really admired those Music Arts students for their passion in music esp. those who are doing their Doctorate....willing to take the uncertainties after grad.

Learn any instrument from a good teacher as he/she will help one to develop interest else dropout rate veri high... unless just for fun and not to teach others.


this is another useful link for guzheng.... worldwide
http://www.chinesezither.net/forum/index.p...37b58d852703509


This post has been edited by subangman: Jan 28 2010, 11:59 PM

Its getting obsolete..

u mean the link ?

i just check.. seems to be fine.

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comments and suggestions
11 93 Tue Jan 26, 2010 11:30 am
seana
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hello everyone ~
im learning guzheng too
be with this instrument for 3 years ady
it's nice to meet guzheng lovers here

glad to know u r one of the guzheng lover. welcome.

i read thru previous replies ...
subangman , u mz a typical music lover
im sure that kids will have a memorable n great childhood if their parents are like u ..

im hoping guzheng lovers here could share their learning n experiences ...
i practice quite alot .. but sometimes really do need some advices to improve my skill

Hi All,
After reading the comments you guys posted, I'm very interested to learn guzheng. I used to be a chinese orchestra member in high school too, playing sheng. Would you guys mind giving me the exact location or address of the places to learn gu zheng and if available, may be the contact number?

Nice meeting you guys!

Hello doramoone,where is ur location?
for penang,u can contact 0194473983,Mr Lai
i am also a chinese orchestra member,i playing erhu in orchestra,
and learn guzheng from my teacher @ outside..
which high sch u from?

WELCOME Doramoone to tis group.

i'll pm you my teacher's contact if you're in PJ area =)

does anyone know about the er hu lessons offering around selangor area? haha

hello... welcome back.

1. which part of selongor are u in now... PJ/Subang/Klang/Damansara?
2. are u a mature student as this will determine.. will u going for exams for u guzheng or u just learn and play for fun?
3. u understand basic mandarin.... just to remember title of songs?

-------------------- plenty of teacher in Klang valley ... from leng chai => ah pek...

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

I PM u ok.... not good to put up here ... pls check ur PM Box.

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Added on February 2, 2010, 4:50 pmThis post has been edited by subangman: Feb 2 2010, 04:53 PM

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? )

plentyful ... it's just like any other instrument ... but english scores is in musical notation usually different from chinese guzheng method.... 1234567 ... unless u know how to understand vice verse ... u need music theory .... (any music sifu here pls explain in details...)
i am going thru the similiar difficuties now.... my learn my sax in notation but i like old chinese songs ... "wah piang" mainly in 1234567 .... old ah pek strugglin like mad... finally i learn by memorizing it..... leave the music score in TRASH BIN.

This post has been edited by subangman: Feb 4 2010, 12:25 AM

hahaa, you're an expert already subangman! can play without the scores..
Without it, I cannot produce anything!



found this haha.. some modern songs!

but er.. is there a 7 in Gu Zheng ? haha.. I tot there's only 1 2 3 5 and 6 ?
hopefully you guys can post some interesting songs here for everybody to learn ^^

Hope there modern english songs too if possible!
Don't get me wrong, i like the traditional chinese songs too.. but it's always good to have variety!

hyumi...you press down the 6 string until it becomes the 7note and play it.

sorry.. i don't get it.... ><
maybe you can try playing the song and put a video up for demo =p

hyumi...better still...you and me go play a guzeng and I show.

Please delete this post.

This post has been edited by PhantomGaL: Feb 8 2010, 12:36 AM

hi! i learned the guzheng for about 1 year already.. did not take the exam as i'm learning it out of pleasure..

i'm in gr4 now and wants to know you guys opinion.. am i going too fast or too slow?

coz i've just started for about 2 months, my teacher tell me i can upgrade to gr1 already.. and between half a year.. i'm into gr3 already..

abit surprising for me actually as i learned the piano and violin and did not upgrade to another grade so fast.. i've heard somewhere that for guzheng, one can jump from beginner to grd4 in a few months time actually... after that, will take longer time to go to the next grade.. what's your opinion?

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Added on March 5, 2010, 2:26 pmwow... thanks for the score.. gotta try it out..

This post has been edited by cassiemissy: Mar 5 2010, 02:26 PM

Hi All,

I like this place. I had been playing for 2 years but I felt like a frog in a nutshell. I figure its time I explore what is out of my nutshell and bumped into this place. I was surprise to see so many guzheng lovers here in Malaysia.

Subang Man although you don’t play guzheng your research on the topic for the sake of your children had been a good source of information. I guess that makes you the “daddy” of this post. Empire you had made a living out of playing the instrument. It is something most music lovers will envy because it is something we desired but were fearful to venture into. Hyumi your series of questions were what got this topic interesting and thanks for starting the post.

I would like to clear out a common misconception here. It is a typical 1960’s Malaysian mentality. The carving and décor on the guzheng is not a factor that makes it expensive. Handicraft artists are a dime a dozen in Malaysian. A trip to Pasar Seni will convince you of that. Given our current technology and skill, it would take only minutes to produce. In the case of China these artist are a penny per ten thousand.

It is the key materials use to make the guzheng that make it expensive. That would be the soundboard, bottom board and the side frames. Let’s detour to the guitar. It had a big hole to capture the sound into the sound box to amplify it. Since the sound going in and the sound going out is the same place, its sound quality is no match compare to the guzheng. It is amazing that the guzheng does not make a hole to capture the sound into the sound board yet it can amplify the sound. If you cover the hole in the guitar you could hardly hear it. We can conclude that it is the soundboard that has ability to capture the sound into sound box. Technically it is the vibration of the bridges that transmit the sound waves through the soundboard. For this reason the soundboard had to be made of a very soft and special wood. The spruce qualifies but it does not make the cut.

Paulownia 泡桐 (pao tong) is the wood that is used to make soundboards. The paulownia tree is native to China and mostly found in Xian. Sometimes the Chinese call it “tong” wood or tree for short. It takes about 5 years for the tong tree to be harvested for timber. Tong is also used for the bottom board. The side frame requires dense wood to keep the sound in the box. The type of wood for the side frame will not affect the sound quality of the guzheng. As long as it is a dense wood, it will do the job. Rosewood and sandalwood is commonly use for the sides. A superior grade tong sound board and bottom board with either rosewood or sandalwood would put a grand piano to shame.

faceless.....errr....what's your point ha? :-D

good info... u r more than welcome to contribute, share n express wat ever here ...



This post has been edited by subangman: Mar 30 2010, 11:49 PM

nice nice! very informative... so next time when i choose a new gu zheng, i will understand them better.. haha..!! thanks!!!

Empire, my point is guzheng price is based on the important materials used to make it and not the décor. Guzheng makers spent 5 years for a tong tree to be harvested. That is a lot of fertilizer and other associated cost. One particular maker (Scarlet Bird, from Xian) allows the board to dry naturally for 1-3 years. This is the old fashion way. Dun Huang from Shanghai uses oven drying with controlled humidity. This cuts down the drying process to a day. Others used a direct flame drying method which cuts down the time to a few hours. In the process the wood got burnt. The ability of the tong wood to transmit sound waves is lost. If you end up buying one of these, it would be your misfortune. Some people here talked about cheap that can do the job. This one is cheap and will never do the job. You will spend more time tuning it than playing it. A fellow class mate used to own this inferior product. That guzheng was brought back to laoshi (teacher) almost every week for tuning. She finally decided to get another one. That was like throwing RM1,800 into the drain.

Back in the 1960s people carve with a knife. Nice carvings take a lot of time to produce and are very costly those days. Today we have very efficient and precision tools for woodworks we still think nice carvings are costly. If a manufacturer had made a grand guzheng throwing in some décor however elaborate it may be would not even constitute one percent of the cost. Conversely for an entry level guzheng, a manufacturer would not want to spend too much effort on décor. I guess that is business sense. Some crooks capitalize on this idea. They will use elaborate design to fool into thinking that you are buying a high quality product.

If you want to get a guzheng then you need to have some knowledge about wood. That is my point, Empire.

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Added on March 31, 2010, 3:33 pmThanks for welcoming me Subang. Comming from you, it was an honor. My apologies for leaving these courtesies out. Guess I was too caught up with replying Empire. I want to make sure I did not offend any one.

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.

This post has been edited by faceless: Mar 31 2010, 03:33 PM

Grade 2 will b using the left hand to press the strings.

Grade 3 onwards one will start wit both hands.... i like to overseeing my gals practising their guzhengs sometimes.

mayb during the weekend i'll scan their syllabus for u ...

sometimes its quite hard for my gals to express the 'feel' of the songs as they r like myself {a banana... and their r made from downunder}
and they dun listen to chinese songs.... so just play according to the score without much feel ....a body without soul !

but lately my younger one begin to express it better after guidence from her sifus....

My elder stopped her Dun Huang after completed her G3.... trying to get her hook back to her guzheng else it'll be a pc of wood in my house.

My younger now touchin G6-7 in CCOM.... and heaps of performance since CNY @ KLCC/Rakan Muda Bukit Jalil/ Poor Sisters Home/ MBPJ ...
and soon to Petronas MPO KLCC in May.

i think i have posted a link for the CCOM syllabus here ...

u want tough one ... try tis .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERNI9xPz44w

This post has been edited by subangman: Apr 1 2010, 12:27 AM

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!

her sifus drag her in to public performances after she won the Klang Parade chinese instrument solo division last yr....her sifus really geng
in chinese instrument... *teach me how to post video clips here then u will see their performances*

earning little bit of extra pocket money but i am limiting her as need to sit for her PMR tis year.... on top of tis she still taking her ABRSM
exam and latin competitions... tis gal of mine sch really pack during the weekends... hardly have time for ah pa....

Thanks for the info Subang. It seems you stayed pass midnight to do it. I appreciate it. I look forward to your analysis after the weekends.

I think I have the answer to Cassie’s question. Piano players use a ball-holding grip when they play. That is they make believe that they are holding a tennis ball in their hand. With guzheng player there is a slight variation. The fingers form a line and the thumb sits behind the fingers. This would enable both fingers and thumb to strike the strings in a natural swing motion. When you join the thumb and the fingers at their tips, it is shaped like a bird’s mouth. It is one of the shapes of the three shapes of “one-two-jus” game. The thumb and fingers are not joined. The bird shape is just to give an idea. The fingers resemble the ball holding grip except the position of the thumb varies. It would be easy for piano players to adapt to the guzheng grip and vice versa. The difference is in piano the finger press keys while guzheng player strike the strings. It is easy for a pianist to pick up guzheng and vice versa. In the case of guzheng players, they had to learn to read notes on the treble and bass staff. Furthermore, Cassie had already learnt how to coordinate the left hand with the right from her piano days. Cassie, does my comment make any sense to you?

Is playing with feelings part of the syllabus too? Playing with feeling is hard to define. I have two version of it. I had gathered from movies that it is the use of tempo and volume to create an atmosphere (sad, happy, or lively). Ever notice how the themes of movie play with these elements to suit the scene. In a sad scene they play theme slow and soft, and it has the ability to touch you. It is the question of using the right mood as you play/sing. Knowing the lyrics is not necessary. There is a song the goes “Lonely, I am so lonely.” The singer sang it in such a jovial tone that it does not create the right feel.

The second version has to do with how music can paint pictures in our minds. The 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky painted the scenario of the Russian defense of Moscow against Napoleon. The first drum beat and how the other instrument echo the beat to create a cannonball sound effect was unforgettable. If you really get into it you can notice how some instruments tried to mimic the sound of horse gallop, the sad moments of seeing a broken homeland, and the pride of a final triumphant victory over Napoleon at the end. These classical pieces had no lyric nor would anyone attempt to put lyrics into them. They are to be appreciated as they are written to feel the scenario and moods.

The guzheng classics are mostly about appreciation of China’s scenic nature. The guzheng is noted to create water, wind, thunder, horse gallop, drums and gongs sound effects. Water beats them all. There is cascading waterfalls, rain drops, gushing rivers, gentle waves, turbulence waves, water flowing off a rain gutter, and perhaps others I had not known yet.

I was playing a peice “the Hills and Waters of Guilin” 桂林山水. Guilin is most noted for its waterfalls and majestic hills. It is a hot tourist spot. I was able to pluck it right but it did not make requirement. I was stuck on this piece for 3 months. On day a senior student told me “put in feeling and laoshi will give you a new piece to play”. She told me to picture Guilin’s beauty. If I cant then search some pictures of it on the net. After that I was suppose to go to some local waterfalls and rivers to listen to the sound water. I did more than that. I brought my instrument to a waterfall in Bentong and then to Templer’s Park and played while I listen to the water. It was easier to see (hear) the similarities. You got to use tempo, volume and accented notes to mimic the sounds. On volume it is not like the f, p, m notations for a certain section of the song as used by piano. It is varying loudness form one note to the next. It can be “loud soft loud soft” and many other possible combinations. In this case although it is called played with feelings, there is no emotion involved. It is more like feeling the environment. Laoshi later gave me “Gratitude to the Huang Ho” to play. Even though I knew where the water sounds are, I know it does not feel right. I ask my senior to explain the piece. It was about the composer gratitude to the Huang Ho for sustaining the people (the Chinese title is a 3 word poetic form where you could never guess the context). It is a question of knowing theme (like the 1812 Overture) and using the pieces to paint a picture. I hope these points will help your daughters. Empire, do you have anything to add? You had always stress feelings.

highly appreciate your info.. will pass it to my gals.... THANK YOU on behalf for my gals.

waah u veri alert person... noted tat i am still hang around past midnite.

tis have been my life since my flying days... {hangin around my notebook until 1-2am daily unless i am in a place where not access to phone or ADSL}

as i used to say music is a passion and it breaks all barriers (religion, race, politics, gender, etc)

Wow.. ur gals are really cool... so young but so much experience..

i dunno how to post video here as well.. haha





Hey! thanks so much.. so tat means since i hav background in music, i can go faster? but now i seems lack of expression.. and ur explanation really helps.. do u really bring ur instrument to the waterfall.. so cool!

I think I can only be satisfied with nature cd music and pictures in the net..


Would like to hear u play as well.. any chances?

You are most welcome, Subang. Sharing knowledge is fun. When you expect a reply from someone you will take notice of the time they regularly surf and check for the reply with strong anticipation.

I don’t think you can see me play this year, Cassie. Next Chinese New Year would be possible. Getting stuck in “the Hills and Waters of Guilin” for three months and “Gratitude to Hwang Ho” for one month was no help. I still got a big list of “water” pieces before can I move to the “thunder” ones. This is beginning to sound like frictional kung fu thingy.

It is not the music background that gives you an edge in any one instrument. The music gives you some edge. You had understanding in things like whole notes; half notes … It is the dexterity of the fingers gained from a similar instrument that is the greatest help. When you move from piano to violin there was no edge except for music theory. If you go into guitar, you would have a dexterity edge because your fingers know how to hold down a chord. Even if you move to er hu or pi pa you still have that edge. Form recorder to sax there is an edge because the fingering is the same, right Subang?

I was a flutist playing the plastic kind Yamaha cheaplat type FIFE... fingering compare with sax almost there but now instead of 8 holes
i got 21keys to take care...

cool wow cool.. i've met some really great people here! ^.^

I was wondering who posted the 好心分手 here. I think we should post more pieces here to make this place more interesting. Can anyone tell me how you post a document into the reply? Has anyone played it? It does not sound like the song which Kelly Chan sang.

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Added on April 2, 2010, 9:41 pm

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Added on April 4, 2010, 1:16 pm

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Added on April 4, 2010, 1:20 pm

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Added on April 4, 2010, 1:31 pm

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Added on April 4, 2010, 1:40 pmor is tis wat u like ?



This post has been edited by subangman: Apr 4 2010, 01:40 PM

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?

i think i am worse than u ... i used tis to learn mandarin... http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php

and tis to write http://www.translate-to-chinese.com/free-e...ranslation.html


wat i posted was CCOM ... Beijing syallbus.

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.

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

due to the heavy consumption of PRC's saliva ... i understand and able to speak mandarin fairly well ... but not in writing and reading

tat 'coffin' was included during the purchase of the zithan sandalwood guzheng...

while the rongmu guzheng just a bloody cheapskate pvc carry bag !

got the gals 2 low and a high stand... got to pay that leecher ...

seen few sets of nice spectrum (turtle shell) in Sunway mentari centre.... the place that they conduct the CCOM examination.

This post has been edited by subangman: Apr 6 2010, 02:49 PM

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

hie faceless! thanks alot for the info and making this topic active once again!
and i'm the one who posted that song =)
got it from another site which is http://music.guzheng.cn/qupu/s/more_2_1_0.shtml

how to post picture? don't quite remember, i think i use IMG, then post the URL location in it then it's done =D

oh and the song is a duet between Wang Lee Hom and Candy Lou. If you do not know the song, click Hao Xin Fen Shou - Lee Hom and Candy this!

This post has been edited by hyumi: Apr 7 2010, 01:25 AM

Hi Hyumi,

It is nice to hear from you. I had not been keeping track of pop songs lately. I never heard of Lee Hom and Candy. I thought they were composers of the song. Have you figure out how to get the 4 and 7 note yet? I think people should not do things beyond their level. They should concentrate on practicing at their level so that they can focus on their training. I am beginning to sound like my laoshi. I should not talk like him because I also like to peek in the syllabus of the advance levels. Let me approach the subject at a different angle.

What happens to the tone when you tighten the string? It goes higher. There are two ways to tighten a guzheng string. One way to use the tuning spanner to turn the tuning pegs. The other way is to press the string on the left side of the bridge. In order to get the note fa (4), you need to tighten the string for the note me (3). You had to be familiar with the sound of the note fa. This familiarity will guide you on how hard you must press string 3 to get the note fa. The note ti (7) is produced by pressing the string for the note la (6). If this is your first music instrument then it would be difficult for you. You need to know an easy song which has note 4 and 7 to practice with. The easiest song with enough 4 and 7 would be the Negara Ku. It is a song you had been singing since you started school. I used the national anthem to help one of my classmates who could never get her 4 and 7 right.

Subang, your wife must be PRC. I don’t speak or hear mandarin too well. I will be deaf and dumb in China but not blind. I had to communicate by typing sms on the mobile phone. Thanks for the info I will check out Mentari one of these days.

NO.... if she knows then cheah lat...

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Added on April 7, 2010, 3:48 pmur frd could b mine ...

This post has been edited by subangman: Apr 7 2010, 03:48 PM

Well, my friend's name starts with a J. Yours?