Services

Taster – (1) Guzheng taster (one-to-one) 30/45 mins

Contents: Guzheng Introduction. Demonstration of how to wear finger picks, sitting position, string recognition and playing on a medium-price Guzheng (original retail price £800–£1200). Test playing is available to anyone who is above 5 year-old.

Suitable for:people interested in knowing more about Guzheng, but not yet ready for long-term commitment to an instrument or wishing to try a Guzheng.

Taster – (2) Guzheng Sound Comparison Taster (one-to-one) 30/45 mins

Contents: Guzhengs are made with various techniques in different styles. Depending on the regional styles, types of decorative wood used, carving styles and brand styles, it can sound very different and suits varying styles of music. Our aim is to help you to recognise and distinguish the qualities of the sound of Guzheng and to have in-depth discussions about how to choose a Guzheng, through the demonstration of classical series from well-known manufacturers whose products represent the mainstream of high-quality Guzhengs in the world. We also are committed to help our audience to choose the most appropriate Guzheng according to their sound preference, performing styles and preferred types of music. Unlike some Guzheng teachers, we are not representatives of any Guzheng brands, hence we are in a better position to provide the most neutral advice based purely on what you need. 

Two packages are included in this Taster: in package A you can test play all Guzhengs including the prestigious top-range Guzhengs; in package B you can test play the mid-range Guzhengs and we will play the top-range ones for you to compare. We will also provide lively played traditional music and modern music (one piece each) for you to compare if you are completely new to Guzheng.

The Guzheng brands and models included in the Sound Comparison Taster are Hongsheng 565 full size (original retail price around £5900), Dunhuang 9698 full size (original retail price around £7000), Zhu Que 8 series full size (original retail price around £1750), Yueya 07 full size (original retail price around £1200), Hongsheng travel size 128cm (original retail price around £2150), Zhenghe travel size 100cm (original retail price around £780).

Suitable for: anyone who would like to explore the different made of Guzhengs; beginners who are new to Guzheng; experienced players who care about the quality of the sound; anyone who already has a Guzheng but is considering to upgrade or to add more to one’s collection.

Taster – (3) Group Sound Comparison Taster (4-5 people) 2-3 hours

Content: several music clips to be shown on all Guzhengs. Everyone above 5 years old can test play all Guzhengs original priced below £5000, with Group discussions on sound quality. Everyone will receive tailored advice for choosing an appropriate Guzheng.

Suitable for: anyone who would like to meet other Guzheng players. Anyone who would like to be accompanied for their Guzheng Taster.

Essential Techniques – (1) One-to-one introduction of essential techniques 45 mins

Contents: introduction and demonstration of three main types of essential techniques.

Suitable for: people new to Guzheng who already completed the Guzheng Taster; or experienced Guzheng players who wish to focus on essential skills in order to reach a higher grade in a speedy manner with a solid foundation. 

Essential Techniques – (2) One-to-one essential techniques full package 45 mins per visit

Content: overall the whole package will take about 15–20 visits across 3–4 months. Each visit takes 45 minutes. The successful completion of the full package will enable a player to directly start to practice mid-level music pieces, meaning one is able to skip the basic level music pieces in a time saving way with a solid foundation of essential skills ready for higher grade music pieces. The package also includes a one-minute brief comment on a weekly practising video clip recorded by the learner. In this way, it will provide an instant guidance for the learner during their home practising time.

Techniques included:

• Left-hand vibrato, including forward and backward vibrato, general vibrato and tapping vibrato. (suggested minimum 3 times)
• Left and right hands basic plucking skills: including gou, tuo, mo, da, pi, & arpeggio (suggested minimum 7 times).
• Wrist/arm category basic techniques: full and partial glissando, basic tremolo etc. (suggested minimum 10 times).

Suitable for: aim to play to mid-level or able to play any kind of given pop music notes. All children who are new to Guzheng. All adult learners who wish to swiftly progress to mid-level with a solid foundation.

Essential Techniques – (3) One-to-one remote or face-to-face accompanied practising of essential skills 60 mins

This is a structured accompanied practising package, aiming to help Guzheng beginners to lay a solid foundation in essential techniques so that they can progress to the medium level performance more easily in a shorter period.