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Monday, June 1, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Homemade Guzheng from Norway
Check this out! One of my customers Ann from Norway decided to try her hand at building a Guzheng!
So she ordered some bridges and strings from me and did the rest herself! (Well together with her husband)
Looks pretty cool eh?
Here's what she said:
"The guzheng is good enough to practice on, even though it's no substitute for a real instrument. I use it on weekends when we are in Sweden. It has a surprisingly good sound, considering it's a big heavy pine box! A piano tuner donated the tuning pegs and told us what sort of wood to use for them, and we consulted a book about piano building to learn details about how to drill the holes for them. We tried to mimic the curved top of a real guzheng by making the end pieces (that the strings go over) curved, and by arranging the bridges with the smallest on either end and the tallest in the middle. That's why I bought two sets of bridges, so we had enough of the different sizes to choose from. But despite all that, the strings are basically pretty flat. It isn't a big problem for occasional practice, though. And I measured the distance between the strings on my Dunhuang guzheng carefully, so the octave reach on this instrument is correct."
You're right Ann, it does sound pretty good! And you played it really well!
Well, we hope she does not do this seriously and put us out of business....
So she ordered some bridges and strings from me and did the rest herself! (Well together with her husband)
Looks pretty cool eh?
Here's what she said:
"The guzheng is good enough to practice on, even though it's no substitute for a real instrument. I use it on weekends when we are in Sweden. It has a surprisingly good sound, considering it's a big heavy pine box! A piano tuner donated the tuning pegs and told us what sort of wood to use for them, and we consulted a book about piano building to learn details about how to drill the holes for them. We tried to mimic the curved top of a real guzheng by making the end pieces (that the strings go over) curved, and by arranging the bridges with the smallest on either end and the tallest in the middle. That's why I bought two sets of bridges, so we had enough of the different sizes to choose from. But despite all that, the strings are basically pretty flat. It isn't a big problem for occasional practice, though. And I measured the distance between the strings on my Dunhuang guzheng carefully, so the octave reach on this instrument is correct."
You're right Ann, it does sound pretty good! And you played it really well!
Well, we hope she does not do this seriously and put us out of business....
Friday, April 17, 2009
Our shop is now open on Sundays as well!
In our bid to serve our customers better, Eason Enterprises / Eason Music is now opened 7 days a week!
Yes, from now, our showroom at Rochor Centre will be opened on Sundays as well - from 11am to 6pm.
So feel free to drop by after Church, CO practice, morning exercise or whatever.
Closed on public holidays.
Yes, from now, our showroom at Rochor Centre will be opened on Sundays as well - from 11am to 6pm.
So feel free to drop by after Church, CO practice, morning exercise or whatever.
Closed on public holidays.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Music Lessons @ Eason Music!
After 30 years in the business of selling Chinese musical instruments, we finally decide to devote some of our precious shop space to conduct individual music lessons.
Offering music lessons seem to be a natural extension of a music retail shop but we never got down to doing it because we were all tied up with other aspects of the business. So after years of of talking about it, we're finally walking the talk.
What kind of music lessons do we offer? Almost everything under the sun - erhu, guzheng, pipa, dizi, zhongruan, yangqin, liuqin, xiao, hulusi, suona and even Chinese percussion.
Our profile of music instructors are a mixture of professional players who are young and talented, as well as not so young and overflowing with experience. The one thing they have in common is that they are all very passionate about their music.
Our instructors are effectively bilingual in Chinese and English.
So if you are interested in picking up a Chinese music instrument or want to bring your skills up another notch. Please email tansungwah@eason.com.sg or look for 'Wei Long' or 'Sung Wah' at 6294 7522.
I'll see you at our shop soon!
-------------------------
Details:
- 1 to 1 lessons
- Once a week, 45mins per lesson
- Monday to Sundays (10:30am - 9:00pm)
Contact 'Wei Long' or 'Sung Wah' @ 6294 7522 or email tansungwah@eason.com.sg for enquiries.
Offering music lessons seem to be a natural extension of a music retail shop but we never got down to doing it because we were all tied up with other aspects of the business. So after years of of talking about it, we're finally walking the talk.
What kind of music lessons do we offer? Almost everything under the sun - erhu, guzheng, pipa, dizi, zhongruan, yangqin, liuqin, xiao, hulusi, suona and even Chinese percussion.
Our profile of music instructors are a mixture of professional players who are young and talented, as well as not so young and overflowing with experience. The one thing they have in common is that they are all very passionate about their music.
Our instructors are effectively bilingual in Chinese and English.
So if you are interested in picking up a Chinese music instrument or want to bring your skills up another notch. Please email tansungwah@eason.com.sg or look for 'Wei Long' or 'Sung Wah' at 6294 7522.
I'll see you at our shop soon!
-------------------------
Details:
- 1 to 1 lessons
- Once a week, 45mins per lesson
- Beginner $120/mth (4 lessons, excl. GST)
- Intermediate $150/mth (4 lessons, excl. GST)
- Advanced $180/mth (4 lessons, excl. GST)
- Monday to Sundays (10:30am - 9:00pm)
Contact 'Wei Long' or 'Sung Wah' @ 6294 7522 or email tansungwah@eason.com.sg for enquiries.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Scratch and Dent Sale!
Wow, its been quite a while since I updated the blog.
So what's up lately? Well, we are currently moving our store from point A to point B and its taking up a lot a lot of our time.
Its not as straightforward as moving from point A to point B. We've carved out 2 rooms in our new unit thus the storage space has been reduced.
If you've seen our store you would agree some parts resembles a bombed bunker. Some of the items found leaves me amazed at the diversity of my predecessors.
Anyway to reduce some of our inventory of older and less than perfect items, we are holding a 'scratch and dent sale' from this Sat, 4 March to 8 March.
Some items you can expect to find are:
- Erhu, Liuqin, Pipa, Guzheng hard and soft cases
- Erhu
- Pipa
- Liuqin
- Dizi
- Picolos
- Western Flutes
- French horn
- Trumpet
- Harmonica
- Violins
- Cellos
- Ruans
- Casette tapes
- CDs
- VCDs
- Yangqins
.....and many unimaginable things.
These items may look older or have a scratch or ding here and there, but they are going at rock bottom prices! And they definitely can be used to make music and not just for display.
So if you are thinking of setting up a Chinese orchestra but have limited budget, or you have always wanted to try to play Chinese instruments but don't want to spend too much, or you are someone who likes to work on instruments, do make a date to come down to our store this weekend.
Address:
1 Rochor Road
#02-606
Singapore 180001
Time: 10:30am to 7:00pm
So what's up lately? Well, we are currently moving our store from point A to point B and its taking up a lot a lot of our time.
Its not as straightforward as moving from point A to point B. We've carved out 2 rooms in our new unit thus the storage space has been reduced.
If you've seen our store you would agree some parts resembles a bombed bunker. Some of the items found leaves me amazed at the diversity of my predecessors.
Anyway to reduce some of our inventory of older and less than perfect items, we are holding a 'scratch and dent sale' from this Sat, 4 March to 8 March.
Some items you can expect to find are:
- Erhu, Liuqin, Pipa, Guzheng hard and soft cases
- Erhu
- Pipa
- Liuqin
- Dizi
- Picolos
- Western Flutes
- French horn
- Trumpet
- Harmonica
- Violins
- Cellos
- Ruans
- Casette tapes
- CDs
- VCDs
- Yangqins
.....and many unimaginable things.
These items may look older or have a scratch or ding here and there, but they are going at rock bottom prices! And they definitely can be used to make music and not just for display.
So if you are thinking of setting up a Chinese orchestra but have limited budget, or you have always wanted to try to play Chinese instruments but don't want to spend too much, or you are someone who likes to work on instruments, do make a date to come down to our store this weekend.
Address:
1 Rochor Road
#02-606
Singapore 180001
Time: 10:30am to 7:00pm
Monday, March 9, 2009
New Stocks of Dong Xue Hua Dizis are here!
Just a quick note that our ever popular Dong Xue Hua Dizis are here!
I've just removed all the out of stock signs.
Get them before they are gone again!
Dizi:
http://www.eason.com.sg/products/products_dizi.jsp
Xiao:
http://www.eason.com.sg/products/products_xiao.jsp
I've just removed all the out of stock signs.
Get them before they are gone again!
Dizi:
http://www.eason.com.sg/products/products_dizi.jsp
Xiao:
http://www.eason.com.sg/products/products_xiao.jsp
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Obtaining a CITES Certificate for the Erhu
Lately I've been hearing some 'weird' things about obtaining a CITES certificate for the erhu.
I just want to debunk some of the myths here:
1) There is not just 1, but a few companies, including yours truly - Eason Music, who can apply for a CITES certificate to accompany your erhu in Singapore.
2) It takes less than 5 minutes to submit the application if you have a previous record.
3) It takes 3 working days for the application to be processed. You can get it within the day if you opt for express service, but you have to pay double the fee.
4) The processing fee is S$29.40. Of course there are also the transport and toll fees incurred when collecting the certificate (because they cannot send it to us)
5) The processing organisation in Singapore is called Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore(AVA). Click here for their website.
So there you have it. I hope this is useful information for you.
Have a good day!
I just want to debunk some of the myths here:
1) There is not just 1, but a few companies, including yours truly - Eason Music, who can apply for a CITES certificate to accompany your erhu in Singapore.
2) It takes less than 5 minutes to submit the application if you have a previous record.
3) It takes 3 working days for the application to be processed. You can get it within the day if you opt for express service, but you have to pay double the fee.
4) The processing fee is S$29.40. Of course there are also the transport and toll fees incurred when collecting the certificate (because they cannot send it to us)
5) The processing organisation in Singapore is called Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore(AVA). Click here for their website.
So there you have it. I hope this is useful information for you.
Have a good day!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Black as Night Erhu Bow and Final Installment of Dizi Video
Those of you who have tried our YS erhu bow will agree that it is one bow with good looks and good tone.
Now they come in another version with black hair. It's not the usual type of scratchy black hair bow that comes with jinghu or 'firewood disguised as erhu' erhu. It uses top quality black horsehair for more grip and power.
According to the maker it is currently very popular in China and especially good for breaking in new erhus.
Click here to purchase.
---------------------------
Here's the 4th and final installment of the types and ranges of Dizi video.
This video talks about the Da Di (Big Di)
Enjoy...
Now they come in another version with black hair. It's not the usual type of scratchy black hair bow that comes with jinghu or 'firewood disguised as erhu' erhu. It uses top quality black horsehair for more grip and power.
According to the maker it is currently very popular in China and especially good for breaking in new erhus.
Click here to purchase.
---------------------------
Here's the 4th and final installment of the types and ranges of Dizi video.
This video talks about the Da Di (Big Di)
Enjoy...
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
New Erhu Hard Case and New Strings
A while ago I was selling some top quality 'designer' erhu cases. Although they look good, they are quite bulky and heavy.
Recently we brought in the 2nd generation of such erhu cases. They are flatter, lighter and the shape is also not as awkward. They've replaced the stainless steel locks with black Matt colored ones. Personally I like the look of stainless steel more.
It only comes in one color:
This is a 1st generation red case, but with the black Matt locks.
We have 2 of the 2nd generation erhu case and a few of the red cases with black locks.
-------------------------------
Another interesting item we are selling is Hua Mei Niao Brand Erhu strings from Beijing.
We've tested the strings on the erhu and we like the results. The tension feels good and the notes are responsive. Volume is quite balanced between both strings as well as the lower and higher registers. The inner string sounds warm and the outer string bright. Run in takes about 2 days if you play it intensively for 5-8 hours a day.
There is also one for the gaohu.
Purchase them here:
- Hua Mei Niao Erhu Strings
- Hua Mei Niao Gaohu Strings
Recently we brought in the 2nd generation of such erhu cases. They are flatter, lighter and the shape is also not as awkward. They've replaced the stainless steel locks with black Matt colored ones. Personally I like the look of stainless steel more.
It only comes in one color:
This is a 1st generation red case, but with the black Matt locks.
We have 2 of the 2nd generation erhu case and a few of the red cases with black locks.
-------------------------------
Another interesting item we are selling is Hua Mei Niao Brand Erhu strings from Beijing.
We've tested the strings on the erhu and we like the results. The tension feels good and the notes are responsive. Volume is quite balanced between both strings as well as the lower and higher registers. The inner string sounds warm and the outer string bright. Run in takes about 2 days if you play it intensively for 5-8 hours a day.
There is also one for the gaohu.
Purchase them here:
- Hua Mei Niao Erhu Strings
- Hua Mei Niao Gaohu Strings
Video on various types and ranges of Dizi Part 2 and 3
Wow, its been a long while since I last posted on my blog. Chinese New Year had really slowed things down. As a result I have been busy clearing backlog these couple of days.
Not to mention the small matter of the birth of my second daughter on 5th Feb, which really takes time out of a lot of things.
There are so much things to update. But in order to make my posts more focus, I'll split them into various posts.
In my last post I talked about some videos on the various types of dizi. I've posted part 2 and part 3 on youtube already. They are about the bang di and the qu di.
Here they are:
Part 2 on the bang di:
Part 3 on the qu di:
Not to mention the small matter of the birth of my second daughter on 5th Feb, which really takes time out of a lot of things.
There are so much things to update. But in order to make my posts more focus, I'll split them into various posts.
In my last post I talked about some videos on the various types of dizi. I've posted part 2 and part 3 on youtube already. They are about the bang di and the qu di.
Here they are:
Part 2 on the bang di:
Part 3 on the qu di:
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