US delivery delays due to tighter custom controls

I've received a couple of emails from customers about not getting their orders yet.

For orders to Europe its probably because of the snowstorms.

But for orders to USA, its due to tighter custom checks (See advisory from Singpost below)

For those still waiting for your packages, I do hope you get yours soon.
---------------------------------------------------------

Mail and Speedpost Services to United States of America

Singapore, 16 November 2010 - Due to heightened aviation security measures
imposed on airlines flying into the United States from 18 November 2010, there may
be potential air transportation capacity constraints resulting in delays. There may also
be additional delays due to enhanced airline and customs screening of all items at
Singapore and US.

International air mail service including registered articles and parcel items as well as
Speedpost items from Singapore to United States may be subject to delays. Like all
other postal administrations, SingPost is monitoring the situation closely.

SingPost wishes to advise customers to post their items earlier, especially in view of
the coming peak holiday season.

To ensure smooth delivery, customers are advised to:

• State clearly the content for packages;
• Indicate the return address on the back of the envelope;
• Ensure the correct postage;
• Ensure the address is correct and complete; and
• Provide the addressee’s contact number where possible.

Customers are also advised to consider the following when preparing packages:

• Use good quality packaging materials, for example select a box that is strong
enough to protect the contents. Leave space for cushioning inside the carton.
• Cushion contents appropriately, for example with bubble wrap or foam to
avoid damage during shipping.
• Wrap each item separately when packing more than one item in the same
box.
• Pack tightly to avoid shifting.
• Always use tape that is designed for shipping, such as pressure-sensitive
tape, nylon-reinforced craft paper tape, or fiberglass-reinforced pressure-
sensitive tape. Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape or cellophane
tape.

Setting up your Erhu

I have received much enquires on how to set up the erhu, especially by people who purchased from elsewhere and the instrument is not properly set up.

It might seem natural to established players but for those we have only seen the erhu for the first time, they might not have a clue with what they are doing.

Hence I made a video of how to do a simple setup on the erhu:

Here is the link:
http://www.learnerhu.com/node/149

Incidentally the above is our newest website Learnerhu.com which we will be putting lots of erhu related stuff on it.

Check out the erhu online course......

New Erhu bow from WXD

We have some new bows from Beijing bow maker Wang Xiao Di.

The bow measures 86cm, which is 3 cm longer than the standard length of a bow, which is 83cm.

If we place it side by side with a standard length bow, you can see that wee bit of difference in the bow length.


But its not only the length that is different. According to WXD, the bow uses the finest quality bow hair which has especially good grab and gives better tone.

We placed it side by side with other bows and true enough the bow hair looks whiter and more glistering. Customers who used it comment that it does feel and sound better than the usual bow.

Priced at US$59.99.

We have not listed it on our website. Those who are interested please email tansungwah@gmail.com.

New Koudi

We have some new koudi in our inventory.

A well made koudi is so much easier to play than a shoddily made koudi.

These koudis sounds nice and are easy to play.

Order them here: http://www.eason.com.sg/products/dizi/wdz42.jsp

Horny Dizis

I've acquired some beautiful looking dizis made from the horns of some animal, which I am quite sure died from natural causes before putting their horns to musical use.

The thing about dizis made from horn is that the horns need to be of a certain thickness before they can be fashioned into dizis. So they are considered rather rare. The dizi is made by joining a few pieces of horn together.

The first type is one made from black buffalo horn. These are more readily available because there are more of them around.


The second type is made from flower ox horn, which is rarely available. They look absolutely gorgeous.


Currently I have a set of 5 (C, D, E, F and G) already reserved by someone.


These type of dizi might not sound as good as those made from bamboo but they are still very much playable. The dizis are made by Xie Bin from Hangzhou.

If you are interested in buying these kind of dizis, do drop me an email at tansungwah@gmail.com.

Difference between a normal and a good dizi

One of the usual questions we get from customers is 'What is the difference between a cheap and expensive dizi?"

Well, besides the difference in price, there is a difference in the ease of blowing, the intonation, pitching and volume produced.

But most importantly, there is a difference in the tone of the instrument. A good dizi should sound rich and bright as compared to a lesser dizi that sounds thin and dull.

We did a test and put 3 of our best model of dizis together in video so that you can hear how they sound compared to one another.


Low G Key Dizis:




D Key Dizis:



Can you hear the difference?

The dizis used in this video are:
http://www.eason.com.sg/products/dizi/xb(d).jsp
http://www.eason.com.sg/products/dizi/dxh(d).jsp
http://www.eason.com.sg/products/dizi/tq(d).jsp
http://www.eason.com.sg/products/dizi/xb(lg).jsp
http://www.eason.com.sg/products/dizi/dxh(lg).jsp
http://www.eason.com.sg/products/dizi/tq(lg).jsp

Stock Arrivals / Simple tunes 8

New stocks have arrived!

We have some new hulusis, Xun, China made mallets, high grade liuqins, synthetic snakeskin sanxians etc.

More details coming soon.

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Here is Simple tunes for Erhu 8 : Auld Lang Syne

Dong Xue Hua Flutes / Simple Tunes for Erhu 7: Scarborough Fair

New Stocks of Dong Xue Hua Flutes just came 1 week ago.

But the Low Bb and Low A are already sold out.

Also the prices have gone up a little, especially for his purple bamboo xiaos because the costs have gone up.

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Simple Tunes for Erhu 6: Red River Valley

Have fun!

Simple Tunes for Erhu 5: Home 可爱的家园

Here is the 5th installment of Simple Tunes for Erhu : Home

I am not sure if that is the correct name of the song, but it is called 可爱的家庭 in Chinese.

Here it is:



Have fun!