Erhu Music of George Gao

erhu bowfire

Erhu

First described in Song Dynasty(A.D. 420-479), erhu is an ancient musical instrument which is extremely popular in China today as a medium for both traditional and contemporary music. Consisting of a drum-like mahogany sound box covered with a snake skin head, two steel strings stretched from the sound box along a narrow bridge, sound is generated by a horse hair bamboo bow. The range of erhu spans about four octaves, and while the sound is very similar to a Western violin, it differs by being much more nasal in quality. Because there is no fingerboard against which the player can press, finger pressure is a critical part of erhu technique. Assuming this aspect of erhu playing is mastered, the lack of a finger board actually allows for a tremendous flexibility for the erhu player in controlling the sound and expressiveness of this instrument - a flexibility approaching that of the human voice.

How to play erhu?

erhu instruction

To learn to play erhu is like learning to play any other musical instruments, a good teacher is preferred. With a good teacher, you will be able to avoid to form bad posture and bad playing habits, a good teacher is also able to enhance your learning experience and motivate your creativity. For those who can not find an erhu teacher, George Gao has made some erhu instruction videos to help you get started, all "learn to play erhu" videos can be instantly downloaded, here are some feedback from users:

I really enjoyed your erhu instruction videos. I feel they are helping me a lot with my playing.

Please make more lessons of the same type as the Lady Meng Jiang lesson! The phrase-by-phrase explanation and mp3 accompaniment are very motivating!"

Chinese erhu techniques

erhu techniques is devided into two chatagories, one is the left hand fingering technique, the other is the right hand bowing technique. The left hand technique includes the placing of the fingers, shifting, vibratos, ornaments and pizzicato, etc. The right hand technique includes long bow, short bow, different kinds of stacatos, tremolo, bouncing bows, cuts, different kinds of spiccatos, pizzicato, etc.

Other names of erhu

erhu

Chinese erhu, pronounced as ur-hoo, huqin, nanhu, Chinese erhu, Chinese violin, Chinese two-stringed violin, Chinese fiddle, in Japan, it is called "nigo"

What does erhu mean in Chinese?

erhu

In Chinese, Er means two, this suggests that there are two strings on the instrument. Hu was an ancient name for Northern nations, it did imply the meaning of Northern Barbarians, a word of evidence of years of border conflicts between the Chinese and nations from the North. Hu does suggest that the instrument could be imported from the North

Erhu history

erhu

Since there is no archeological discovery of a physical erhu to support it's history, a popular view of the earliest appearance of the musical instrument called the huqin was based on a poem written by Shen Kuo during Song Dynasty (A.D. 420-479). In the poem, he mentioned about a Huqin (another name of erhu) played with a horse hair bow. However the argument came upon the explanation of the word Han in the poem. This Character Han here can be interpreted as Han, the name of the Chinese people or as Han, the Dynasty which had existed between 206 B.C-220 A. D., if the later one was true, this could put the story back by at least 700 years. Some scholars argued that in Song Dynasty, Chinese people did not call themselves Han people until much later in the history. However everybody seems to agree that erhu has evolved from some plucked string instruments.

The erhu snake skin

erhu

Traditionally, the top cover of the drum like sound box of the erhu is made from Python skin. Nowadays, python is enlisted as an endangered specie in many countries, this makes it illegal to export/import erhus in these countries unless you get a special permit. With the increasing demand from all over the world, a new kind of synthetic skin was invented. GGAO INC. now only sells erhus with synthetic skin, for more information, please visit the store page here.

How much is an erhu?

Up to today, even with the increase of the price value of the erhus made by famous makers such as Wang Geng Xing, Hu Han Rou, Wang Guo Xing, Lu Jian Hua, etc., the erhu is still considered a very cheap instrument. You can buy a Strad erhu for under $2000 US dollars. Just for your information, a decent violin bow will cost more than $5000 US dollars.

How is the erhu tuned?

There was no standard tuning for the erhu up until early last century, at one time it was decided that the erhu should be tuned at D-A above middle C. Although the majority of the erhu repertoire was written based on D-A tuning after this standardization, there are many pieces require the erhu to be tuned differently, for instance, many of the erhu works by Mr. Hua Yan Jun (Arbin) require the erhu to be tuned at G-D or A-E, a fourth or fifth below the standard tuning, because of this huge difference, the tension of the strings is changed dramatically, many erhu players need to get a second erhu and use a set of special strings to accommodate the music. Another wonderful erhu concerto called The Great Wall Caprice, composed by Mr. Liu Wen Jin, requires the erhu to be tuned at C-G. There are also occasions requires the erhu to be tuned in fourth.

It is costly and inconvenient to bring many erhus to perform, also it is cumbersome to tune erhus on stage. erhu master George Gao has developed a movable qianjin, or a capo for the erhu, called QQQianjin, this device eliminats the need of many different versions of erhus, it also makes it easy for children to adjust the qianjin hight according to their individual hand sizes

Chinese erhu notations

Although most of the modern erhu players have mastered the standard Western notation, many of the erhu repertoire are still printed in a kind of Chinese notation called Simplified Notation, or Jianpu. In Jianpu, all the notes are represented by numbers, this system is built on so called the movable DO system, which means the DO, or the tonic note of a Major scale can be assigned to any pitch. The key signature is written as, for instance, 1=D, which means the DO is D on a piano keyboard, thus, 1=D indicates a D major or it's relative modes, such as B minor, or 1=G as a G major or it's relative modes such as E minor, and so on. Here is a chart for you to identify the notes on some of the most common erhu keys:

Names: Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti
Jianpu: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1=A A B C# D E F# G#
1=D D E F# G A B C#
1=G G A B C D E F#
1=C C D E F G A B
1=F F G A Bb C D E
1=Bb Bb C D Eb F G A
With a . (dot) on top of the note indicates an octave higher:
.
1
two : (dots) indicate 2 octaves higher:
:
1
and so on....,
With a . (dot) under the note indicates an octave lower:
1
.
two : (dots) indicate 2 octaves lower:
1
:
and so on.....

The rhythm is indicated under or after the notes by dashes and underlines:

a note followed by three dashes is a whole note:
1 - - -
a note followed by one dashe is a half note:
1 -
a plain note is a quarter note:
1
a note with one underline is an eighth note:
1
a note with double underlines is a sixteenth note:
1
=
a note with triple underlines is a thirty-second note, and so on....,

The time signature is indicated like this: 2/4, 4/4, 3/4, 6/8, 5/4, 7/8 etc.

The erhu bow

The bow of the erhu is made from bamboo and horsehair, the horsehair stretchs in between the both ends of the bamboo, and it runs in between the two strings of the erhu, therefore, you have to apply rosin on both sides of the horsehair. The bow is always attached to the body of the erhu.

How to string the erhu

Facing the skin side of erhu, put on the loop of the A string onto the right bottom hook, thread the other end of the A string through the bow, qianjin and push it through the hole on the lower peg, wrap it clockwise. Do the same for the D string but do not weave it through the bow, and make sure the string is wrapped counterclockwise on the top peg of the erhu.

Download Free Mp3 Erhu Virtuoso Piece Mongolian Fantasy

Erhu Master George Gao is providing the erhu virtuoso piece Mongolian Fantasy a free mp3 download worldwide, this piece was commissioned by the 2008 Shanghai Spring International Music Festival International Erhu Competition committee for the final round competition.
Mongolian Fantasy for Erhu and Piano

Learn from erhu masters: Erhu Summer Camp 2008

This could be one of the best opportunities to learn erhu from the grand masters, between July 13th and 20th, 2008, there will be an erhu Summer Camp hosted by Wang Yong De Min Hui Fen Erhu Studio in Yu Yao, Zhe Jiang Province in China. The cost of the camp is 3000 Yuan (Chinese RMB, about $400 USD), which includes food, lodging, return transportation from Shanghai to Yu Yao, transportation in Yu Yao city. George Gao is one of the instructors of the camp. Click here to find out more about the erhu camp (Chinese)

2008 Shanghai Spring International Music Festival
International Erhu Competition

The 2008 Shanghai Spring International Music Festival International Erhu Competition committee has selected George Gao's Capriccio for Erhu as one of the compulsory works in the second round of the competition. The committee has also commissioned George Gao to compose a new work for erhu and piano for the final round of the competition. George Gao has completed this eight-minute composition named Capriccio No. 2 - Mongolian Fantasy.
International Erhu Competition Information (Chinese)

Erhu master George Gao's new CD - My Favorite Tunes

erhu concert

erhu jazz CDDownload this CD from iTunes now!

My Favorite Tunes has a selection of 12 beautiful standard jazz tunes played by George Gao, Jenny Zhang and jazz guitarist Bill Bridges, there are also two original compositions by George Gao and Bill Bridges. You'll bet that you've never heard the erhu is played like this before.... Sensitive, sophisticated, romantic and emotional.
This CD is recorded at 24 Bit 96 Hz, mastered using Hollywood standard state of art studio equipments to provide you the very satisfying listening pleasure.
Tracks:
1) The Shadow of Your Smile 2) Georgia on My Mind 3) Satin Doll 4) The Girl from Ipanema 5) Misty 6) Someone to Watch over Me 7) Autumn Leaves 8) Desifinado 9) Summertime 10) Stardust 11) How Insensitive 12) Moon Glow 13) Asia Blue 14) Kites

Erhu QQQianjin user tips

A new page dedicated to erhu QQQianjin users is online now, this page answers the most asked questions regarding the usage of erhu QQQianjin and provide many creative ideas of using erhu QQQianjin. Click here to access Erhu QQQiaqnjin User Tips.

Oscar

erhu oscar

The short documentary film The Blood Of Yingzhou District has won an Oscar nomination, erhu master George Gao is one of the most active participants of the music part of the film, he has recorded all the erhu music tracks. The director/producer of the film is Ruby Yang and Thomas Lennon, the composer is Brian Keane. George Gao has worked with this team before on the multi-Grammy Awards nominated documentary film Becoming American, the Chinese Experience

New erhu audiophile CD is released!

erhu FIM CD

Finally, the long awaited erhu audiophile CD "A Rose For Me" is released under First Impressions Music Inc.! This XRCD24 Compact Disk is the first of it's kind and it is a must have collection. In the CD, Erhu master George Gao has teemed up with guzheng (Chinese Harp) master Li Wei, guitarist/composer Bill Bridges, bassist Lew Mele and percussionist John Mele to perform ten of the most well known Chinese folk songs including A Rose For Me, Jasmine, Lady Meng Jiang, Lift Your Veil, etc.
Here is a nice review from Audiophile Audition.

Now you can download Erhu lesson One

erhu instruction

Erhu Lesson One VCD is one of our most popular erhu playing instruction videos. Through the advancement of our web site development, this video now can be downloaded instantly through our Digital Download Store!

New English erhu lesson videos for downloads

erhu lesson downloads

The new erhu lesson include the lesson about erhu left hand shifting, the lesson about erhu vibratos which include the three main kinds of erhu vibratos - sliding vibrato, pressing vibrato and rolling vibrato. All future erhu lessons will be available through our download store, this service will provide instant access for erhu fans and students.

erhu QQQianjin

Erhu QQQianjin is here!

Finally, the long awaited second generation movable erhu qianjin - the QQQianjin has arrived! This qianjin is easy to use, solid, tough and stable enough even for the most demanding erhu players.

George Gao - 20th Gemini Award nominee

erhu

Erhu master George Gao has been nominated by the 20th Gemini Award under "Best Performance in a Performing Arts Program or Series" category. Gemini Award is the Canada's equivalent of the Emmys.

The Villa is now online for download!

erhu villa

The twenty tracks of the hot selling album George Gao VS. Wang Wei-the Villa is online for download now. Embark on a spiritual journey following these beautiful melodies performed by George Gao on the erhu, Chen Lei Ji on a Qing dynasty qin called Yang He, Ron Korb on the flutes and Jenny Zhang on the vocal. Many tracks have been selected to be used for many US TV stations and commercials.

Recent George Gao's erhu music uses in films and TVs

Tracks licensed from the CD Villa, George Gao's music has been used in:
Meng-Cheng Valley and White Rock Rapids used in Greatest History Mysteries Monsters on The History Channel.
Lu Park used on Cube Fabulous - Episodes For Website by Killer Bunny Ent.
Magnolia Park and Ashtree Path used in Ivy Dreams on AZN TV.
Pepper Tree Garden and Lakeside Pavillion used in In The Facility DVD/Web Broadband Steamcasting by Fitphonics
Pepper Tree Garden used in Uncovered: The Hidden Lives of Miss USA on Channel E
Lacquer Tree Garden used in Soapography on Soap Network
Lakeside pavilion in Way of the Warrior on Animal Planet
Pepper Tree Garden in Needledrops, Best Week Ever on VH1
Rivers of Dogwood in Big Texas on History Channel
The Stream of Powdered Gold in Dunkin Donuts Commercial
Hua-Zi Hill and Lu Park used in Chinese New Year, The History Of The Holidays on A&E
Meng-Cheng Valley used in Vampire Secrets on History Channel and inOne Too Many on The Learning Channel
Lacquer Tree Garden used in Unfabulous on Nickelodeon
Magnolia Park, The Stream Of Powdered Gold used in One Too Many on The Learning Channel
Magnolia Park used in Best Week Ever #902 on VH1
Hua-Zi Hill used in One Too Many on The Learning Channel

GGAO Inc. sells only man made skinned erhus

As an effort to protect the endangered specie, python, GGAO inc. now sells only man made skinned erhus, thanks to the new technology. George Gao is personally performing using man made skinned erhus as an effort to encourage people to switch over. George Gao has proved through numerous performances that the sound quality and volume of the man made snake skinned erhus are exceptionally good, plus it is not affected by changing weather. George Gao thinks that this is the future of the huqin family. (erhu, gaohu, jinghu, zhonghu, etc.)

The press

Gao's dynamic playing of four pieces, accompanied by Seiler's string orchestra, was electrifying. John Terauds, Classical Music Critic, Toronto Star

......that electric erhu (a two-string Chinese folk instrument that never before sounded like this) Mark J. Estren, Washington Post

it was soloist George Gao who stole the show. Gao delivered whistling sounds, pained cries and even barks as well as dramatic, emotional phrasing as pleasing as any violin virtuoso could create. Geoff Chapman, music critic, Toronto Star

He plays it (erhu) so superlatively well he captures attention, holds it from the first note to last and compels unrestrained admiration for both his skill and his musicianship. Stephen Pedersen, arts reporter, The Mail-Star, The Chronicle-Herald

... George Gao, who dazzled both the audience and the orchestra with his superb performance of Pablo de Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs), and Chen Yao Qing's Galloping horses ... This mesmerizing performance brought the audience spontaneously to its feet. Jerry Ozipko, arts reporter, See Magazine. Edmonton

Coming tours of erhu master George Gao

Tour Highlights

2008
* Sep. 1-14, 2008: Tour Japan
* Sep. 15-Oct. 13, 2008: George Gao is invited as a guest professor to teach in the Shanghai Conservatory of Music of China, Shanghai, China. See related article (Chinese).
* Oct. 15-Oct. 26, 2008: Bowfire US tour
* Nov. 6, 2008: Erhu solo concert at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, Canada
* Nov. 27-Dec. 4, 2008: Bowfire US tour
* Nov. 30th, 2008: Concert with Ontario Chinese Orchestra, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
* Dec. 7-15, 2008: Singapore

2009
* Jan. 21, 2009: Concert with Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Winnipeg, MN, Canada
* March 15-April 12, 2009: Bowfire (TBA)
* March 27-29, 2009: Concert with Plymouth Symphony, USA
* May 23rd, 2009: Concert with Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
* May 25-30, 2009: Hong Kong Erhu Festival performance with Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
* May 31-June 14, 2009: Tour China erhu performances
* Sept. 17-19, 2009: Performances with Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Alberta, Canada
* Sept. 26, 2009: Performance with Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, Ontario, Canada
* Oct. 16-25, 2009: Bowfire tour
* Dec. 31, 2009-Jan 9, 2010: Bowfire tour

2010
* Feb. 27-March 11: 2010: Bowfire tour
* March 13, 2010: Performance with Regina Symphony Orchestra, Saskatchewan, Canada
* April 16-18, 2010: Performances with New West Symphony Orchestra, LA, USA