Post by chrisflynn on Sept 17, 2011 18:04:26 GMT 1
Hello there!
I recently acquired a Yangqin - I believe it's the 401 model made by Xinghai (it's tuned the same as eurodulcimers.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=yangqin&action=display&thread=473). It's the first hammered dulcimer I've ever owned so I have a lot of 'newbie' questions. I'm going throw them out in one topic - hope that's ok...(!)
1) Some strings are missing (I broke two tuning it up, and several were already missing when I got it). How important is it for me to replace the strings soon? Will it affect the tuning of the other strings?
2) The instrument has fixed bridges (rather what I believe are called 'chess piece' bridges?). Where it's meant to be C3 | G#2, and it's currently C3 | F#2. How do I tune the strings up to G#2 without changing the C3? (This set of notes is supposed to have 5(!) strings, but only has 2 - could this be affecting it?)
3) Possibly related question... There's another set of notes with a problem - A2 | D#2. Four of the five strings are fine, but one has a very flat A2, which again I'm not sure how to tune without affecting the D#.
4) Some strings (for example a#) buzz when played. Putting my finger on the right hand side of the bridge (the untuned side) stop this. What could the causes be?
5) It's kept in a separate study room in London (England!) which has no central heating. I've fortunately got a hard case for the instrument, but what's the best way to regulate the temperature, and what's necessary? For example, would there be any use in putting a blanket over the case in winter for insulation, or is that ridiculous?
6) The sustain is quite long - I know dampeners can be added to some instruments, but is there a way to reduce the length of the sustain after an instrument has been built? (Or is this a fundamental characteristic of each instrument?)
7) Is anyone aware of any Chinese music for Yangqin written in Western notation (on staves) rather than the numbered system?
Any comments at all would be massively appreciated - thanks!
I recently acquired a Yangqin - I believe it's the 401 model made by Xinghai (it's tuned the same as eurodulcimers.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=yangqin&action=display&thread=473). It's the first hammered dulcimer I've ever owned so I have a lot of 'newbie' questions. I'm going throw them out in one topic - hope that's ok...(!)
1) Some strings are missing (I broke two tuning it up, and several were already missing when I got it). How important is it for me to replace the strings soon? Will it affect the tuning of the other strings?
2) The instrument has fixed bridges (rather what I believe are called 'chess piece' bridges?). Where it's meant to be C3 | G#2, and it's currently C3 | F#2. How do I tune the strings up to G#2 without changing the C3? (This set of notes is supposed to have 5(!) strings, but only has 2 - could this be affecting it?)
3) Possibly related question... There's another set of notes with a problem - A2 | D#2. Four of the five strings are fine, but one has a very flat A2, which again I'm not sure how to tune without affecting the D#.
4) Some strings (for example a#) buzz when played. Putting my finger on the right hand side of the bridge (the untuned side) stop this. What could the causes be?
5) It's kept in a separate study room in London (England!) which has no central heating. I've fortunately got a hard case for the instrument, but what's the best way to regulate the temperature, and what's necessary? For example, would there be any use in putting a blanket over the case in winter for insulation, or is that ridiculous?
6) The sustain is quite long - I know dampeners can be added to some instruments, but is there a way to reduce the length of the sustain after an instrument has been built? (Or is this a fundamental characteristic of each instrument?)
7) Is anyone aware of any Chinese music for Yangqin written in Western notation (on staves) rather than the numbered system?
Any comments at all would be massively appreciated - thanks!
