How to Tune Erhu Properly | Tutorial For Beginners | Detailed and Easy Steps along with Tips

[@violetdanka1181]

I don't have my erhu yet, but I'm already here, looking for tutorials 😂 I can't wait until it arrives in a week! Thank you for your videos, and cheers from Poland! 💜

[@EightTonesMusic]

You’re welcome 😊

[@HL-ss6md]

Thank you so much! Love your erhu vids, you make it simple and relaxing to learn!

[@SeanChen1998]

The inner D-string seems to produce a different pitch depending on if I'm pushing or pulling the bow (pulling is sharper, and pushing is flatter), making it quite hard to tune. After changing the strings and qianjin, this still seems to be present. Is this normal? And any thoughts on what might be causing this? The outer A-string is perfectly fine.

[@EightTonesMusic]

It is normal to have some pitch change between up and down bow, but if the pitch change is too excessive, it could be your bowing technique issue. It is not easy to have a completely even up and down bow technique. One method is, just tune to your up bow (退弓 - push)

[@keithsk-gaming9820]

Very helpful I thank you😊

[@EightTonesMusic]

You’re welcome 😊

[@DrUbeta]

I use "Instrument Tuner" (downloaded from Playstore) on my Mobile Phone to tune my Erhu to D and A.🙏🙏🙏

[@DrUbeta]

@@EightTonesMusic Thank you for the reply🙏

[@user-om3pi4ho1d]

Is it possible to swap the strings on an Erhu so that a left-handed player can hold the bow on the left hand? Or will the Erhu not tune properly if you swap the strings?

[@nicnakeesh1768]

Is there an easier way to hold the pegs when tuning them instead of using your thumb?

[@EightTonesMusic]

You can use both hands, but I would say that this method is the most commonly used and fastest.

[@hoangdang2428]

My open outer string sound noisy, does it have anyway to fix? Just the open outer string,it is not as warm as A note in inner string 😢

[@EightTonesMusic]

hi, this could happen because the string is new, it may need to season awhile, and there could also be other factors like your bowing technique and so on which requires further physical examination. That being said, open A string doesn't always sound the nicest.

[@southpark5555]

Excellent vid ETM! I got a really really quick question. When I play G4 on the D string, and then play the A4 on the open A string, the pitch of the open A string is indeed an A4, but the timbre (sound) doesn't really match well with the timbre that was coming from the D string. It's like during the change-over, correct pitch but noticeably different 'voice' or 'sound'. I'm thinking there's probably nothing much I can do about that at the moment. Do you know if there's any method that might allow for a better match in timbre (tonal characteristics) when changing from D string G4 to A string A4, such as using slightly thicker string for the A string? Thanks!

[@EightTonesMusic]

The open string has a vastly different timbre, it is not unusual because of the design of the QIANJIN (the strings tying onto the Erhu string and neck). Players often plan/decide when to use the open string and when not to use them, it all depends on the music itself. If used properly, the open string can add some 'flavors' to the music. But sometimes, you will have to sacrifice something.

[@southpark5555]

@@EightTonesMusic Fully agree with you ETM! Thanks for the reply and comments! The A string is different from the D string in terms of width (thickness). When I change from D string G4 to A string A4, I notice that the A string A4 is 'bright' sounding. So when playing or practising a scale in say D major, the transition from D string to A string is really abrupt in tonal difference. I think you're right - that there will be a compromise.Will be interesting to see what happens if I use a string for the A string that is the same thickness as the D string. Thanks again ETM!

[@EightTonesMusic]

@@southpark5555 The experiment won’t work. Tuning a much thicker string to A will have too much tension, the string will either break or sound horrible. That being said, you can play your entire D major scales on your inner string.

[@southpark5555]

@@EightTonesMusic Thanks for that nice recommendation ETM! I won't go down that path. I'll go with that method you indicated and play/practise the D major scale on the inner string. Really appreciated. Thanks again ETM. Have a good day ahead! Best regards.

[@EightTonesMusic]

@@southpark5555 or you could just skip the open string by using your 4th finger and then carry on with your 1st finger on the outer string.

[@nicnakeesh1768]

I’m trying to tune the D string and it to rolls back to its original position. What can I do to stop that? TIA

[@EightTonesMusic]

You have to push the peg tightly against the Erhu neck while twisting

[@DrUbeta]

Is it better, for a certain song such as: Willingly by Crispian St, to tune Erhu string to C-G (instead to basic D-A)? Because on D-A setting on Erhu I can't reach C4 tone. If I try C5 on outer string, the sound will be heard wierd.

[@DrUbeta]

@@EightTonesMusic Oh Thank you very much for your explanation🙏🙏👍

[@HarryAdee]

What do you mean it's "2022" and we should not use bronze tuner?

[@EightTonesMusic]

Bronze pegs are very outdated. No one is really making much of this anymore, because they are difficult to maintain, spoils easily, and unreliable for performances.

[@HarryAdee]

@@EightTonesMusic I see. I thought that the original design for Erhu was only with wooden pegs. Then upgraded to bronze. And also I thought wood pegs were unreliable and hard to tune.

[@EightTonesMusic]

@@HarryAdee You can use our peg chalk technique in this video to make the wooden pegs reliable: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5uUnmyId75qrbM If Violin/Viola/Cello can use wooden pegs, why should Erhu use mechanical ones? You can also use fine tuners and other stuff. Mechanical pegs are metal, they produces very metalic sound and can contract/expand more due to temperature.

[@HarryAdee]

@@EightTonesMusic Awesome. Thanks

[@ribbonqueen]

Do you really have to tune it every time you play?

[@boylilikoi8037]

Using fine turners change some aspects of the erhu sound?

[@EightTonesMusic]

It does, a little bit, will still suggest people to use them.

[@boylilikoi8037]

It makes the sound more brighter?

[@AedanBlackheart]

​@@boylilikoi8037a tuner is more accurate/reliable then ears for tone

[@Music_loverss2]

🇧🇷

[@ChenYisang888]

I had no idea brass peg tuners were considered bad. They seem so convenient because it prevent the pegs from sliding out. I thought it would be good for a beginner Iike me. What kind of issues do they cause?

[@ChenYisang888]

@@EightTonesMusic Thank you for your very comprehensive response! Was in talks with someone selling me a second-hand Dunhuang erhu with brass pegs. You totally saved me! Will definitely see your new video when it comes out!

[@Namri]

Lool. 🫣 I have brass pegs… but I got mine second(possibly third) hand from my teacher for like $50 back in 2014. I also have a cut pencil for a bridge. 😅 miiight need to upgrade. 😂😂😂

[@jesseg1758]

So do I have to buy a bloody tuner? Mine didn't come with those little bronze, things. K7ara. Plz, help me. I really want to play the instrument.

[@EightTonesMusic]

It will be good to have, otherwise, you can get an app. The 'cleartune' is a pretty good paid app. You can get fine tuners here: eight-tones.store/products/erhu-fine-tuners/

[@jesseg1758]

@@EightTonesMusic Thanks, but how those both little things are called tunners. How does it work? I installed two supposed tuner apps though they didn’t work. Compared to a tunnner app for guitars work amazing easy…

[@EightTonesMusic]

@@jesseg1758 Those two little things are fine tuners, to fine tune the notes when they are a little off - without having to twist the entire tuning peg.