Sunday, April 28, 2013

Free admission to Guqin exhibition in KL Malaysia 19 May-2 June 2013

Guqin exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 19th May until 2nd June 2013. Free admission. No I have never been to Da Lv Qin's premises in KL. Too bad for me. I am working on those days. *sigh* Maybe next time. Definitely I will go next time. haha LOL

More information can be perused at: https://www.facebook.com/DalvQin

Friday, April 26, 2013

Donation to victims of Sichuan earthquake via Jet Li's One Foundation

Just in case you wish to make a donation which would go toward helping the Sichuan earthquake victims, you may consider One Foundation, which was founded by movie star Jet Li.

New York Times has offered some reasons for donating to disaster victims in China using private foundations such as Jet Li's One Foundation. You may read it at this webpage.

Status update - guqin has been purchased by my Taobao agent on my behalf

After logging into the Singapore-based Taobao agent's website, it seems that they have successfully purchased the guqin that I asked them to buy on my behalf (purchased officially on Thursday 25 April 2013). That's good. It really made my day!



I had to use a Taobao agent because Taobao.com only accepts credit cards registered with PRC-based addresses. Yes, of course there is some element of risk in purchasing guqin over the Internet. A good and trustworthy Taobao agent with presence in both China and Singapore (or wherever your home destination is) is imperative. I'd post updates to this blog about the guqin's shipment status from China to Singapore.

I sincerely wish all the best to the Sichuan guqin maker Zhang Yong (maker of this guqin I purchased) and the people who were affected by the Sichuan earthquakes. The news reported that there was another 4.8 magnitude earthquake in Sichuan yesterday, this time in Yibin.

Meanwhile, here are some pictures of the guqin (provided by the seller on Taobao) that I ordered online. Of course, I'd change its (presumably) metal-nylon strings to silk strings if / when it arrives safe and sound in Singapore in my grubby little hands. hahaha. I purchased this guqin because I wish my daughter and I can play guqin together, instead of us taking turns to play on the same guqin. Right now, I only have one guqin. hahaha LOL





Thursday, April 25, 2013

Youku Video: 'Flowing Waters' played on guqin mounted with silk strings

Chanced upon this Youku video, played by a maestro on guqin mounted with silk strings. Perhaps the echoing reverb was added in audio post production, but still it sounds very nice. hahaha

Videos of guqin pieces performed on silk strings are still quite rare. The majority of videos on the internet primarily feature guqin performances on metal-nylon strings. Nothing wrong with metal-nylon strings though, but I still prefer to use silk strings, because there are no metallic sounds in silk strings and (please correct me if I am wrong?) they may be more eco-friendly. (*smile*)

Source: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzMwMTI0MjYw.html

Video: how to mount silk strings onto guqin

This video demonstrates how to mount silk strings onto a guqin. Hope you'd find this useful.

Source: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDQzNTcwNDQw.html

[update: Lesson learned for me from watching this video was: I should always wrap the silk string around a piece of cloth, not around my hand (which I have been doing?!), so that the silk string would not hurt my hand when I pull it tight.]

Video: how to tie dragonfly knot on guqin silk string

This video demonstrates how to tie dragonfly knot on a guqin silk string. Enjoy!

Source: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDM1MjA1NjY4.html

2nd attempt to buy banana-leaf shaped guqin from Taobao

In my previous attempt to purchase a banana-leaf shaped guqin from Taobao, I was informed by the Singapore-based Taobao agent www.sgshop.com.sg that the seller said it was out of stock. hahaha. Too bad for me, that guqin and I were never meant for each other. LOL

I have since found another banana-leaf shaped guqin of exactly the same price by another Sichuan guqin maker. Hopefully it would be available. Here are some pictures of the guqin which I ordered online. I'd see how it goes. hahaha. If or when it gets delivered into my grubby little hands in Singapore, I'd post an update here. (*smile*)

There are 2 reasons which motivated to buy a guqin from Sichuan:
(1) I always wanted to let my daughter play guqin together with me. Right now, I only have 1 guqin.
(2) I wish to lend a little bit of moral support directly to the guqin maker and seller in Sichuan after they just experienced an earthquake on 20 April 2013. It's tough being a guqin maker in Sichuan right now. 四川加油!


Tuesday, April 23, 2013

SgShop.com.sg is down for 'upgrading'

Sgshop.com.sg has been down since yesterday. According to an email sent by SgShop.com.sg to its customers, it will be down for 2 days (yesterday and today, or today and tomorrow?) for 'upgrading'. Please do not panic. Their company has not shut down (I hope). I just ordered a guqin through this Taobao agent. ha. ha. ha. *nervous laughter*

[Latest update (Wednesday 24 April 2013): www.sgshop.com.sg is now back in business online again. Yay]

Monday, April 22, 2013

Mon 22 April 2013-ordered a banana leaf-shaped guqin from Sichuan maker over the internet

I just ordered a banana leaf-shaped guqin over the internet from a guqin maker in Sichuan PRC.

This is my own little way of showing support to the victims of Sichuan earthquake on Saturday April 20th 2013.

This is the picture of the guqin (posted by the Sichuan guqin shop before the earthquake happened). I do not know if the guqin maker's location was affected or whether the delivery can be made. It doesn't matter. I just hope my purchase may contribute in some small way to the guqin maker's livelihood.

I'd post an update on this blog if/when this guqin arrives in my hands in Singapore.

[Latest update (Wednesday 24 April 2013): the Singapore Taobao agent emailed me .to inform  The seller in Sichuan said that this guqin is 'out of stock', so I guess this guqin and I were not fated to be together. hahaha. Nevermind, I'd just pick another guqin from Sichuan then. hahaha. LOL]


Friday, April 19, 2013

Download free guqin mp3 tunes from SilkQin.com

Did you know? You can download guqin mp3 tunes free-of-charge from my teacher, Mr. John Thompson's webpage at http://www.silkqin.com/06hear.htm

It's one of the largest collections of guqin tunes on planet Earth. Enjoy!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Free Dizi and Guzheng performances in Esplanade (17 and 18 April 2013)


Please do go and lend them your strong support!



Reflections
Joyce Poh (Dizi) & Tan Yu Ren (Guzheng)

DATE: WEDNESDAY 17 APR 2013 and THURSDAY 18 APR 2013
TIME: 7.15pm & 8.15pm
VENUE: Concourse
PRICE: FREE

It is quite rare to see guys playing guzheng in public. The zheng is about as old in history as the qin. Inspirational.

According to the promotional information at http://www.esplanade.com/whats_on/programme_info/atc_17apr_reflections/index.jsp

Enjoy a breather at the Concourse as Chinese Music virtuosos Joyce Poh and Tan Yu Ren perform a selection of soothing classic Chinese instrumental tunes. Take this opportunity to quieten our hearts, slow down our pace, and let their music refresh and rejuvenate you. 
Joyce Poh is the winner of the National Chinese Music Competition organized by National Arts Council (Dizi Open Category) in 2008, and she is currently the Dizi Sectional Principal of Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra (SYCO). 
Tan Yu Ren learned to play various instruments from a young age including the guzheng, cello and dizi. He is currently the Vice- President of Cheng San Chinese Orchestra.

Monday, April 15, 2013

check out Music412.com - website to consolidate Singapore-made music

This website aims to provide an information hub for music created in Singapore. Good for them. Please do check it out at http://music412.com/

You can join the community at that website as a fan or as an artist. *smile*



Sunday, April 14, 2013

Video: performance by guqin master on silk strings

A guqin master playing on what sounded like silk strings. Sorry I do not have any information about his name or the location where his performance took place.

Sounds very nice and mellow. Seems to my ears that there's probably no metallic sounds (of course, please correct me if I am wrong). haha. Enjoy.


Video: Jiu Pai Guqin masters' visit to Malaysia

Video of performances by visiting guqin masters from Shanghai's  九派琴院 http://www.jiupaiguqin.com/ to Malaysia's 大吕琴院 http://www.facebook.com/DalvQin. Guqin performances start at around 1:12 in the video.

Guqin-related activities are much more active in Malaysia than in Singapore. haha


Saturday, April 13, 2013

Air pressure in cargo hold during flight may wreck havoc on your guqin

After reading this article about water boiling at high altitudes, I begin to understand a little about the horror stories of cracked guqins that had been checked into the cargo hold. It would perhaps be better to hand carry your guqin into the cabin where the air pressure is nice and stable.

Quote from the article: "As the chamber reached around 25,000 feet, the technicians asked the crew member over the interphone if he was experiencing any sinus problems. If not, the steady climb to 85,000 feet continued. The first thing you noticed on the climb happened at 63,000 feet. A flask of warm water (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or about 37 degree Celsius) placed inside the chamber slowly began to boil. By the time the chamber reached 70,000 feet, it was boiling rapidly, and at 80,000 feet the water was all gone-evaporated! The water was placed in the chamber to give you an appreciation of what could theoretically happen to your blood or other fluids without a pressure suit on."

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5994110/the-most-badass-plane-ever-had-an-equally-awesome-flight-suit


A little TLC for my other 7-string musical instrument

A long overdue maintenance time for my other 7-string musical instrument: Dean Razorback in bumble bee colors. Changing strings is very therapeutic; whether it's metal strings for electric guitar or silk strings for guqin.

This Dean Dime Razorback came with factory-installed noiseless active EMG 7-string pickups. very comfortable amazing thin V-cross section in the neck. I guess that's probably why I love the 7-string guqin too. Don't know why. I simply love 7-string musical instruments. haha. I don't think I can ever bring this guitar to church even though it can be used to play very soft gentle music. Very mellow Jazz tone. I bought this in early 2009. I'd give this to one of my daughters when they grow up, if one of them wants it. Hahaha




Tuesday, April 9, 2013

RMB2000 banana-leaf shaped guqin direct from manufacturer

Chanced upon this banana-leaf shaped guqin from this manufacturer at this link http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=15575646632&ali_refid=a3_430008_1006:1104382844:6:%B9%C5%C7%D9:724e52bcac754430300cfeed7682770b&ali_trackid=1_724e52bcac754430300cfeed7682770b

Supposedly it costs RMB2000 (equivalent to about SGD400).

If you are in Singapore and wish to buy this guqin, you may consider using the TaoBao agent www.sgshop.com.sg. Of course I do not get any commission from anybody. I am just a silly guqin aficionado. haha.

Almost all guqin made in PRC are designed with heavier wood to make the metal-nylon strings sound more mellow. In my humble opinion, if you plan to put silk strings on your guqin, there is no need to buy guqins made with heavier wood like shan wood. Guqins made with lighter woods or have a thinner fingerboard may be more suitable for silk strings as the wood may vibrate more easily. So ironically, cheaper guqin may be more suitable for silk strings. hahaha.












My guqin string snapped on the day Mrs. Thatcher passed away

Tonight I was playing my guqin very gently but the thinnest 7th string snapped. Perhaps even it knew that one of the greatest persons of our time - Mrs. Margret Thatcher - had passed away. Just kidding. It's most probably just pure coincidence. Still, I salute Mrs. Thatcher with the deepest respect.


Typically, when guqin silk strings snap, there would be a last stringlet hanging on for dear life.

I untied the remaining silk string of the 7th string from the goose foot of the guqin. There was no dead knot so it's very easy to untie.

When the silk string snapped its Rong Kou fell onto the floor. The Rong Kou felt cold to the touch. It was smooth as a pebble. Probably craved out of some kind of river stone.

I used a metal paper clip to guide the Rong Kou back through the hole in the guqin.

Then I used a plastic piece (the kind that comes in men's business shirts packaging) to secure the Rong Kou in place.

Then I sat down and leisurely re-tied a dragonfly knot on the same silk string. That's why I love using silk strings on guqin. It's very eco-friendly, unlike metal-nylon strings. haha. Typically a silk string can probably be re-tied and re-used for about 10 times before it becomes too short.

I used this diagram to guide me to re-tie a dragonfly knot on the broken silk string.


After the dragonfly knot was re-tied on the silk string, it was guided back through the silk string loop of the Rong Kou.

It's very fun to re-tie silk strings on guqin, like a mini workout. One is required to pull the string close to pitch before securing it to the goose foot.

The end of the re-secured silk string was simply tucked neatly under itself, not on other strings. No dead knot was tied, but amazingly the tension in the re-tied 7th string was still very good.

Back in business after a mere 15 minutes (including taking pictures) of re-tying the 7th string. 

Admiring the guqin a little before putting it back into its case for the night. I normally keep my guqin in its hard foam case, because my children like to pull its tassels. It'd probably be destroyed if I hang it up on a hook on the wall. hahaha

It never ceases to amaze me how the ancient people managed to design such a sleek and beautiful shape for the guqin thousands of years ago. haha

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Banana-leaf shaped guqin by famed maker Chen Hong

Banana-leaf shaped guqin with interesting pattern on fingerboard. Price: RMB38,000 which is equivalent to about SGD7580.

Source webpage: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.38.GR778L&id=14645647710

If you wish to buy it and if you're in Singapore, you can consider using www.sgshop.com.sg I have used this taobao agent to purchase guqin-related items. They're reliable.