Music Shop, Jinling Lu
We started our erhu lesson search by browsing the shops on Jinling Lu. I’ve never seen such an extensive music district before. There are at least 30 separate businesses selling a range of instruments from ancient erhu’s to electric guitars. Most of the shops’ employees are musicians and are happy to let you play their instruments all day.
Me at First Erhu Shop
Since the idea of renting instruments seems foreign in Shanghai, we set off to buy a suitable erhu . Above, I’m trying an erhu at the first shop. The bow is stuck between the two strings, D and A, the same as the middle strings of a violin. The instrument consists of a resonating box with a snakeskin cover, a bridge, a stem, and tuning pegs for the strings. For an apparently simple instrument, it is extremely difficult to play. In fact, I would consider it harder for a beginner to pick up than the violin. The angle at which you hold the bow with your right hand is key. Though at first I could not discern the difference between cheap and expensive erhus, I soon became well acquainted with the features that distinguish these wooden string instruments.
Video 1: Gujin Lesson
At a shop I visited, this girl was playing the guqin (goo-jin), an ancient Chinese instrument claimed to have 3000 years of history. Note the mother sitting patiently through the lesson, eagerly watching for progress. My impression is that many parents will get their children classical music lessons solely to play the famous Butterfly Lovers’ Concerto. Every Chinese person is expected to know the story behind this beautiful piece, which is analogous to the Western tale of Romeo and Juliet.
Coming Soon
Movie of My Playing a Chinese Film Piece on a Shanghai Factory Violin
My First Erhu Lesson
Detailed Explanation of the Erhu With Pictures
Nice little video piece. Looking forward to more on the music dealers and lesson.