Symbols in Erhu Simplified/Numbered Notation (jianpu) 简谱

Warning: translation errors
This was made last year BTW

So some people like to stick with western staff notation when playing music. However, when you play Chinese music, it's best to use jianpu (numbered/simplified notation), because if you can read it, you are able to explore Chinese music heaven! Bonus points for being easier to read too.

I created a bunch of charts so that people are who new to the notation can use them as a tool. I added an annoying water mark so ppl wont steal my hard work.

What kind of snakeskin is used for erhu-making?

There are many types of snakes used for erhus. Most are from the genus Colubridae or Pythonidae.

What size/part of the snake:

The abdomen of the snake is usually weak and prone to break during the skinning process because it is unable to withstand the high tension needed for an erhu. The backside of the snake is the most used part, as it is durable. Some luthiers prefer to use snakeskin near the tail. To reach the width of the soundbox of an erhu, the snake must be of considerable size. 

Convenience:

In mainland China, luthiers want to select snakes in their vicinity that are suitable for the erhu. Some examples include: 

Zaocys dhumnades (Southern China, Taiwan)

Elaphe carinata (China, Taiwan)

Python molurus (introduced in Florida, USA from South/SE Asia)

Python reticulatus (Southeast Asia)

Basic List:

The following snake species are used by erhu luthiers:

Burmese python:

An octagonal erhu

Erhu skinned with the green burmese python

Python molurus:

a standard erhu

Python reticulatus:

an octagonal erhu

Elaphe carinata:

an old gaohu

Zaocys dhumnades：

a jing-erhu

Jinghus (top=erhuang style, bottom=xipi style)

Some of Bach's Violin Concertos, arranged for erhu --- BWV 1041 and BWV 1042（a小调协奏曲／E大调协奏曲）二胡版

I've scanned some more sheet music (terribly), of Bach's violin concerto in A minor and E major. I uploaded the scores for both and included a demonstration for the concerto in A minor by some epic dude.

These pieces are probably in the intermediate/low-advanced category. There's just a lot of shifting and 16th notes for both. This really exercises your fingers if you aren't used to this style.

For erhu, the concerto in A minor is more popular for erhu, and I haven't come across any recording of it being performed yet on the Internet. If I have time, I might upload my recording for educational purposes.

Violin Concerto in A Minor BWV 1041 a小调协奏曲 (Difficulty: ~7/10)

There are many vids on the Internet of 7-9 year olds being able to play this nicely on the erhu. If you can't do it, instead of feeling inferior, try thinking about what you can accomplish in those few years. *cringe*

K here's the vid demo

The erhu used in the performance is an electric erhu manufactured by Shanghai Dunhuang. I think the price of it is around...2000 USD, but cheaper models are around 500 USD. Just buy an Indian small leaf sandalwood erhu instead. Oof, I got sidetracked. Also, idk the dude's name.

Violin Concerto in E major BWV 1042 E大调协奏曲 (Difficulty: ~5.5/10)

Easier than BWV 1041, in my opinion

How to mute your erhu (AKA how to hide your insecurities about sounding like a dead cat)

When it comes to volume, the erhu can be quite disruptive to others, family or neighbors. It's useful to keep it, especially if you're self-conscious of your playing, or if you're just a beginner, where your playing would probably sound like a dying cat.

I don't recommend using a mute when you're playing too often for you won't be able to learn how you actually sound like and what mistakes you won't be able to catch when using a mute.

...but...practicing with a mute can also improve ur bowing strength...since you might want to play louder to hear yourself.

Also be careful when using this if u have a gud bridge. Also, since the vibrations are less intense as without a mute, the erhu's snakeskin is not affected...meaning if u have a new erhu, it'll take longer to break in, and it'll also last longer, in terms of lifespan...theoretically. The pencil/dongle method also relieves the snakeskin from pressure so...DOUBLE!! (unless ur erhu is exposed to weather/temp change)

Method 1

Something you could do is by making a mute. Use a pencil or dongle to place above the bridge, like this.

In some cases, the object could replace the bridge of the erhu. Make sure the object is placed perfectly horizontal and covers the snakeskin entirely across unless it will become more out of tune. The object is meant to touch the strings nice and snug.


Pros: -Works well in terms of volume
         -easy to set up
         -BONUS!!!: also relieves tensions on the snakeskin (AKA ur erhu lasts longer[in bed jk])

Cons: -"shortens" the string so finger positions may alter slightly
           -the instrument will not be tuned as without a mute.
           -it will have a "buzzy" and muffled sound
           -may damage snakeskin during equipping

Method 2

Another option you could do is by using a big ass clip or something that could fit.

is this image blurry or do i need new glasses?










Pros: -works well in both volume and tuning
         -does not "shorten" the string as in the previous method
         -does not damage any part of the erhu when applying

Cons: -makes the sound "muffled"
          -may be hard to clamp the bridge on
          -moves the bridge around, affecting the tuning
          -very slightly changes the tuning

Method 3

Another option is to use an eraser or something to cover the strings to stop the vibrations.
You can just get an eraser block and cut out notches to place on the erhu.

Pros: -easy to make if u dont wanna waste $$$
         -easy installation

Cons: -each string may not have equal volume if ur using an eraser
           -it will fall off after playing a while cuz of the vibrations

Method 4

Or, another way is to just simply buy a mute. It works better than any of the methods listed above.


Pros: -works well in both volume and tuning
         -does not physically affect the erhu
         -easy to apply and buy

Cons: -produces a "muffled" sound
          -the mute vibrates and makes a buzzing sound
          -not as quiet as the pencil/dongle trick

二胡千斤／千金 How to tie the qianjin / n u t of an erhu

I'm too lazy to make an intro, so here are the following methods:
also never call a qianjin a nut, it makes me s h u d d e r (even though the term is used for violin, which is understandably comparable)

Method 0:

The positioning:

The position of ur qianjin is where the root of ur pinky finger is when u place ur elbow on the soundbox. This is a rough estimate, but everyone has different finger lengths, so find a nice place to adjust it... whatever alien u are. If ur not full grown yet, then you should keep changing the height of ur qianjin as u age. If its already comfortable, then leave it that way...obviously. A higher qianjin means that the note spacing is bigger and to tune it to D and A will mean the tension is higher, producing a brighter sound.

Reducing noise:

You can add some soft or thin material above or below (or both) the qianjin to reduce some "unwanted" noise while playing. Commonly used items are paper, rubber bands, cloth (maybe from the dampener), eraser bits, or pieces of (used jk) toilet paper.

Fine tuning:

If ur annoyed by these...

eating your bowhairs...







then you have the alternative to change to these...

It's a miniature qianjin wound around each string individually. You can tie 1-3 loops around each string (see method 1). Move up to increase the pitch, move down to decrease the pitch. Basically you can use your left over bits of string for this.

Method 1: for normies 

Measure out 50-60 inches of thread.

I use the (white) cotton ones, they are easier to work with, but the (brown) thicker nylon ones I use for zhonghus.

It doesn't really matter how many ties you do for each section, as long as it's stable, but here are some options:
Erhu/Gaohu二胡/高胡
3 5 3
2 5 4
1 6 1 + glue
Zhonghu中胡
3 7 3
2 7 4

Please do learn this to increase ur IQ by 1 point (100% researched and confirmed jk)
Also some professionals cant even do dis rite

Basic steps:

1) Make a loop using the thread ur using.

2) Tie loops around the neck.

This is X X X of the qianjin # thing.






3) Tie loops around the strings and alternate between the neck and string after that. Make the width between the neck and string roughly the width of your thumb. Make sure the qianjin is tied not too narrow or wide. Having a wide qianjin will result in wolf tones and an unstable sound, and there will be problems with the open strings having different pitches when pulling and pushing the bow. Having a narrow qianjin will make the string stiffer and will produce a more tinny sound. If your hands are bigger or smaller, you can still adjust the width however you want, but still take note of the effects a narrow/wide qianjin will make. Also, there should be an angle formed from the strings starting from the pegs, to the qianjin, and to the bridge. To maintain the angle, when stringing your erhu, keep them looped as close to the ends of the pegs as possible.

This is X X X of the qianjin # thing.







4) Tie loops around the neck again.

This is X X X of the qianjin # thing.





5) Thread the end of the thread through the loop you initially made, and pull the ends of the entire thing. Focus more on the bottom thread, where the loop is absorbed into the loops you previously made to the center of it all. As a result, a knot is made inside the qianjin. FYI, you can tie this entire thing upside down, no difference.

6) Here's roughly how the finished thing should look like.

The dark red color is an x-ray btw

Other pics of finished product:

Method 2: edgy wae

This method adds a gap between the two strings.

Method 3: buying unpopular or knock-off qianjin patents to solve ur problems

The breakdown:

A: normies
B: metallic, easy installation, annoying tinny open string sound
C: less annoying sound, still requires qianjin tying skills, but can be lazy by using zip ties
D: weird contraption (qianjin + fine tuners)
E: extreme string angle type fine-tuning-qianjin...metallic open string sound

The end

Now lets all laugh at this photo of a ”qianjin“

Paganini Caprice No.24 for erhu 帕格尼尼第24首随想曲二胡版

This piece is one of the hardest composed for solo violin. Some techniques used for this piece include: parallel octaves and rapid shifting covering many intervals, extremely fast scales and arpeggios including minor scales, left-hand pizzicato, high positions, quick string crossings,  and many double stops, including thirds and tenths.

For erhu, this piece is much easier to play. Its epicly fun. No double stops, chords, bowing nuisances, etc etc etc

If you do grade testing for erhu (like from the CCOM), you may be able to start practicing this piece at grade 8 or 9 (in my opinion). Included below are:

1) the sheet music (in western notation)
and
2) a video demonstration by the arranger (Sun Huang)

Note: use this for personal or educational use only!

The score is ripped from "High Level Efficient Erhu Performance Training （Sun Huang）" 二胡演奏技巧高效训练（孙凰编）

Please do buy the book...lol
The book includes lots of really good etudes, contemporary Chinese pieces, and western pieces for improving your performance skills, it's very professional and technical, so I'd recommend some experience before buying this method.

I bought mine from 先进国乐
http://www.stmusic.com.tw/