hello subangman.
I'm new to lowyat forum and i hope u dont mind me quoting ur question to 0Celeste0 that was more than a year ago.
It seems very difficult to find a good teacher for Erhu on my own...so I was quite happy to find this thread with so many guzheng and erhu lovers actively sharing their passion and knowledge.

I've learnt piano and completed grade 8 exams 5 years ago. Now that I've graduated from university and finally got some time, I'm interested to pick up Erhu or Guzheng.
I prefer Erhu because of its unique sound and also it's WAY more convenient to carry around than Guzheng...
On the other hand, Guzheng is also very beautiful...sigh. Still considering though.. tough choice.


Do you mind telling me the contacts for Erhu and Guzheng teachers?

To answer your questions:
1. I'm in Ampang, but I don't mind travelling. but if possible, whichever more accessible by public transport? lol. cuz I am still without my own car.
But even if it's not, I'll still consider 'cause i really am interested to learn.

2. I'm 21 years old now. Am gonna play mostly for fun, not for exams.

3. Yea i took Mandarin up to SPM level.


I'd appreciate it if anyone else can answer me as well! =)

Thanks in advance for taking time to answer me!



This post has been edited by darielle11: Nov 28 2011, 06:57 PM

It's ok, i can wait. I'm preparing for my last professional paper also, which is coming in less than 2 weeks‘ time.

Actually I've always liked string instruments. I considered joining the music society last time in college to learn basic violin from seniors. But due to hectic study schedule and other society activities, I put that off until graduate d also din get to join.

Then recently I've been watching alot of youtube videos (exam stress lol) and the interest returns, strongly.

I like guzheng 'cause it's very beautiful when the strings are strummed. the sounds that transports me back to ancient times of China...very 古色古香. Grants me peace of mind. Yet, the same instrument can depict an entirely different atmosphere like the tension in a swordsmen fighting scene (haha i know i may sound like one who like to fantasize, but music is one of the ways I enjoy that can bring some sparks to mundane everyday life )

On the other hand, erhu is kinda like violin but more... erm, it's easier for me to be touched by the music when played by erhu, esp when it's Chinese music. More 动人心弦. it's also super amazing that despite having only 2 strings, erhu can produce such sound...

For me, i think guzheng is gud at demonstrating 意境 while erhu is gud in expressing 心境.
I'm sorry for the use of Chinese despite knowing some of you may not be able to read. But my limited English vocab is unable to describe correctly whatever I'm trying to say la.

The only thing I'm worried is that erhu is often accompanied by other instruments in background. If I play it alone, it might not be as nice.
Guzheng can be on its own entirely. What do you guys think about this? Since most of this forum have been about guzheng, I'd like to hear your opinions on solo erhu

And also is it very hard to pick up these two instruments at this age? Learning from young age seems alot easier for many things.

This post has been edited by darielle11: Nov 29 2011, 08:22 PM

I'm in Ampang. that's the far end of LRT for Ampang line.

Yea I figured it would need ALOT of practice, seeing that it doesn't have fingerboard like guitar to know exactly where to place your fingers for a certain note. And I'm used to piano with obvious keys to press. That'd probably take a long time for me to get it right lol.
Hopefully passion can make it easier.
and good teachers. That's why I'm starting to look for one...

But when you play erhu alone, would you find it much nicer with accompaniment, or solo is just as good?

---

Added on November 29, 2011, 9:39 pmBtw Faceless,

I just saw that in one of the previous posts you mentioned that you stay at Wangsa Maju?
So there're teachers for erhu/guzheng in Wangsa Maju??
That'd be great also, since I was TARC student kaka.

Can you tell me the details like address, contacts and fees structure?
Thanks in advance!


This post has been edited by darielle11: Nov 29 2011, 09:39 PM

I took awhile to figure out how to multiquote stuffs haha, since I'm new at this forum.
Firstly, I wanna say thanks to everyone, especially subangman, for giving such detailed and enthusiastic reply to my questions.

I'm guessing by 'doing something for our grandchildren's children', you mean you're doing something related to helping our future generation.

Your 'daijek kwai lou' buddy playing the guzheng, it's a very contrasting image, with soft guzheng sounds coming from under his tattooed arms haha. But it's nice to see that he enjoys it, just goes to prove we can never judge a book by its cover

Yes I'm a girl. But if I were to choose between guzheng and erhu based on my current situation for the next few months, I think I would probably pick up Erhu first. 'Cause I'll be paying for the instrument and classes by my own, after I land my first job. Don't want to ask parents to support lah since I graduated d, summore they've spent alot on my piano and my education and now they're nearing retirement age. Compared to Erhu, GZ would be a much bigger investment and also it's less convenient to bring around. After learning piano (can't bring out), I've always wanted to learn something where I could play anywhere I am, when I'm in the mood haha... (of course after I'm more well acquainted with it la. Until then, I'll limit my practising noise to my own room with curtains tightly shut )


It's funny that you mentioned 马头琴, 'cause I wouldn't what it is before this but yesterday night I chanced upon this Taiwanese talk show interviewing a Taiwanese girl who went all the way to Mongolia to learn 马头琴 from this man 齐·宝力高. Seems that he's a world-known performer for 马头琴. Both of them performed some songs during the interview. I was captivated and think that its sound is like a less sad version of erhu, but touching nonetheless. But they said that 马头琴 only came from Mongolia and other countries rarely sell or teach it. I wonder if you actually know someone teaching it here in Selangor? Or you mean you prefer listening to this instrument over Erhu?

Your daughters sound amazing, especially the second daughter. Learning AND doing so well at SO MANY things AT ONCE!!! I'll probably go crazy if I have to juggle so many things! Hahaha... They must be great at managing time and self discipline, not to mention multi-talented. But having you as their father is undeniably a blessing as well, being so supportive without pressuring.



Thanks for your kind information bout the RM1000 GZ. But since I prefer Erhu at the moment and can't be sure that I'll be able to master it within 2 years, I can't just buy the GZ because it's such a good deal then having it end up collecting dust until I manage to find time and practice it. That'd be a shame for such a good GZ and not what the pastor would expect for his "chee yam yan".




So these places have good teachers instructing Erhu as well?
Uncle Faceless (or Faceless Gorgor? idk his age so...lol) said there're no Erhu instructors/schools in Wangsa Maju wor. So maybe I should look at these places you mentioned. Can you possibly message me the names of the centres for these places? So i can find out further information later. Thank you!




I'm still looking up for his real name. But I assume his solo songs are those incredibly hard, emotional, and traditional kinds? The kinds where it's already incredibly heartwrenching just on its own. That'd be Master level. haha...
When I asked whether erhu solo will be not as nice without accompaniment, I actually meant those more modern songs played on erhu.
Example this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJJdJdvNYU8...ture=plpp_video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oge5T_JiZq4...ideo&playnext=1

Most of the Erhu performances are accompanied by some form of instrument like piano, flute, or others to create the supporting ambience. So I'm wondering if I play it alone would it be 单调？
Maybe since Empire has been playing it for long time, he could also enlighten me on this?



Thanks for such warm welcome. I've read that you guys organize gatherings every now and then. It seems like it's very fun. But I might disappoint 'cause my skills is nowhere nearly as accomplished as all of you. So if I go, I'll probably only be an eager audience and student haha. Even after completing G8 piano, my piano skills remains at the level for self entertainment only, nothing near performance level... I get nervous with playing in front of audience, even when it's close friends. Don't know why I have such psychological obstacle...

Haha... everyone has their own preference when it comes to music. Guitars are nice also, like Sungha Jung is a great classical guitar player.
It really depends on personal taste.
Traditional instruments are less common in Malaysia, maybe 'cause less exposure in the music we hear on radio and chance for kids nowadays to learn. Teachers for these instruments are harder to find compared to western instruments.

Talking bout that,



Subangman

I wonder if this is the Maluri centre you're talking about?


PCCO 专艺民族乐团

https://www.facebook.com/pages/PCCO-%E4%B8%...0037181?sk=info

Great! I think I can locate that place. I'll go enquire after I get a job hehe. Thanks Subangman!



Ohh i came across his 二泉映月 in Youtube as I was listening to various erhu videos, but didn't know it was him. Yea his was Master level indeed. Seems that he can mimic the voices of man and woman having conversation and chickens using erhu. Amazing. I'll go read more bout him after exams....




Wow Empire, that means you have only been playing Chinese instruments for 4 years? Then you pick up really fast... and mastering so many instruments at that. So that's what you mean by the 3 Angels I've seen you talking bout in previous posts. Haha... was thinking they are your talented students or daughters like Subangman.

Thanks for offering. I might take u up on the offer and ask you some questions here if I am stuck somehow after I start learning erhu.

Sorry out of topic abit, but would you have preferred a career path as a professional pianist, if given a choice?


btw I came across this one... sounds very nice so I thought to share.



i think i must leave the exploration of music until after exam next week.... PRIORITY => PASS it ALL AND start working!!
Then only can enroll in classes hahaha.

This post has been edited by darielle11: Dec 1 2011, 07:17 PM