How to play the erhu
Through some simple pictures I shall attempt to show how the erhu is to be played.
First of all this is a picture of an erhu. The picture was found from an erhu book and shows a drawn picture of an erhu. The erhu is made up of wood and the sound box is covered by snake skin. The bow is generally made up of bamboo and horse hair. The erhu is generally tuned D A but there are exceptions such as when playing songs which has special requirements such as, Concerto for erhu "The Great Wall Capriccio", the erhu is tuned to C G. I have encountered during operatic accompaniment where we tuned the erhu to B flat F to suit the singers and the atmosphere.
Next this is the picture of how one should seat playing the erhu.
Sound is generated when we move the bow between the two strings. Rosin is rubbed onto the horse hair to improve the friction between the hairs and the strings. The next picture is an example of how the finger is generally clasped between the bow and the horse hair. Exceptions are made for example while playing the Jing-hu.
This is a picture showing how one should press the fingers on the strings of the erhu.
The approximate angle where the hand should be while playing the erhu is about 45 degrees.
This is a rough guide for people who wants to know how to play the erhu. Anyone who wants more explanation can email me for information but as a recreational player I cannot guarantee my information would be absolutely correct but I shall inform you the best I can.
