Blog Archives

April 19, 2024March 17, 2025

Buy A Beginners Guzheng – 5 Great Options For The Total Beginner

If you are thinking about starting to play the Guzheng but are unsure about how to buy a beginners Guzheng – this blog post is for you. We have many Guzhengs specifically for beginners on our site. Although we think these 5 models are very good in particular.

Su Yu Brand – Models “Orchid” and “Seeking Fragrance”

The Su Yu brand is a newer brand based in Henan Province in China. Both of these models are full sized and have idenical sound characteristics- bright, open, firm and balanced sounding. The only difference is the decoration, choose your favorite!

These models were hand picked by our owner Bei Bei at the 2023 Shanghai Music Expo specifically for their value and cost for the beginner.

“Seeking Fragrance”

“Orchid”

Su Yu “Brand”Orchid” and “Seeking Fragrance” Sound Demonstration-

Su Yu “Orchid” Sound Demonstration

Tang-Xiang “Peaceful Pavillion”

The Tang-Xiang brand is one of the major Guzheng makers in China, they are based out of Henan province.

This full sized model has been a favorite ever since we started carrying it – it has a 5 star review on our site. It produces firm, sweet, mild and balanced sounds. The decoration is a beautiful painted mountain scene with a nearby village.

“Peaceful Pavillion”

Tang-Xiang “Peaceful Pavillion”Sound Demonstration

“Peaceful Pavillion” Sound Example

Langyun “Singing Crane”

Langyun is a major Guzheng brand based in Yangzhou, China. This brand has a good reputation for quality and they have an expansive product line.

Stepping up the quality level is this “Singing Crane”. This is a full sized Guzheng with a beautiful painted moon scenes with cranes flying across. It sounds like a mixture of metallic and sweet, also clear.

Langyun “Singing Crane” Sound Demonstration

“Singing Crane” Sound Example

Hai Tang Guo Yue “Guan Tao”

Hai Tang Guo Yue manufactures in Henan, China but some designs like this “Guan Tao” come from Taiwan. This model is beautiful with fabric on the head and tail painted with swirling ocean waves.

This is a travel sized model – it is 53 inches long (135cm) compared to the standard full size Guzheng which is 64 inches (162cm) long. It also has a much thinner body – only 5cm! This is much smaller than most Guzhengs making it light and easy to carry. Its sound is bright and robust, this is a concert level Guzheng.

“Guan Tao” Sound Demonstration

“Guan Tao” Sound Example

Langyun 51 Inch Travel Size

Another great beginners Guzheng from Langyun is this Travel Size model.

This is a great Travel Size option – if space is at a premium. This “Pheonix” model is 51 inches (130 cm) long as compared to the full size of 64 inches (162cm). This model produces sounds warm, sweet, deep, and well resonate.

Langyun “Pheonix” Sound Demonstration

“Pheonix” Sound Example

We hope you have enjoyed this blog post. If you have any questions about buying a beginners Guzheng please feel free to reach out to us!

April 1, 2024June 21, 2024

4 Points Technique – An Important Guzheng Plucking Technique

The 4 Points Technique is a widely used plucking pattern played on the Guzheng. It consists of playing 4 notes with a combination of 3 fingers – middle finger, thumb, index finger, thumb.

If you are new to the Guzheng be sure to check out our previous blog post on Basic Guzheng Plucking Technique.

We Will Start With Our Right Hand

The 4 Points Technique can be played on any string combination, but let’s choose to start on ‘Sol’. Your middle finger would play ‘Sol’, then your thumb would play a “Sol’ one octave up. Your index finger is next and it plays a note that is in-between the 2 Sols we have already played, so it can play ‘Re’ , then the thumb plays the higher ‘Sol’ again.

The pattern of the notes is ‘Sol’ , higher octave ‘Sol’ , ‘Re’ , higher octave ‘Sol’, as shown on this picture. The fingering is middle finger, thumb, index finger, thumb.

You can move this pattern to ‘La’ by shifting the first note and being mindful of the rest of the pattern going up one string.

Once you are familiar with the pattern move it to different registers and be mindful of your plucking technique. Be sure to keep your wrist stable, move only your finger knuckles when playing, and keep your palm open.

Lets Move To The Left Hand

Mastering the fingering on the left hand is very important. The left hand typically plays the lower registers for harmonic and rhythmic support for the right hand higher melody. Take special care to make this technique effortless to provide the best foundation for your playing.

The 4 points technique is a very useful technique as you can use the same fingering to play different combinations of notes

Here we are playing ‘La’ in octaves and ‘Mi’

Here we have ‘Mi’ in octaves and ‘Do’

Experiment and come up with your own variations of notes. Be sure to practice proper plucking technique from the beginning to establish proper habits.

This blog was based on an excerpt from Bei Bei’s Guzheng Tutorial, video is below

March 25, 2024June 21, 2024

Basic Guzheng Plucking Technique – Bei Bei’s Guide

In this blog post we will explore basic Guzheng Plucking technique – we play the Guzheng by plucking the strings with our finger picks. Let’s make some sound!

We will first review the correct hand shape, remember to have your hands in a “C” shape. Or think about how you would hold an apple but with palms facing downward. Keep all your knuckles slightly curved like this:

Lets Start Our Lesson With The Right Hand

When plucking a string have your picks angled on the string at about a 45 degree angle. Single Finger Guzheng Plucking and pluck from your fist knuckle towards your palm. Remember to keep your palm relaxed and your wrist flat. Start by practicing on one finger, perhaps your middle finger, until you understand the mechanics to add more fingers.

The thumb is plucked the same way, at a 45 degree angle and towards the palm. Guzheng plucking with the thumb Resist the urge to curve your wrist – keep it straight.

If you are just starting, focus on each hand’s movements independently before trying to integrate them. The mechanics of plucking on the left hand are no different than that of the right, but care must be taken to shift this hand in different registers. Refer to our blog Where To Pluck On A String for more on that topic.

Combining Different Fingers

Start by practicing with the middle finger and the thumb. These 2 fingers often play in octaves of each other in Guzheng music, so it’s a good place to start. Pick any note, ‘Sol’ (A) for instance and play a lower-pitched A with your ring finger, and the higher-pitched A with your thumb.

Notice how in the picture the index finer is curved, but relaxed. Isolate the movements by playing one of the ‘A’ notes at a time. Middle finger only, thumb only, both together, etc. Move this exercise through all registers and notes as slight hand adjustments are necessary. Move to you left hand and practice and refine in the same way.

Beginners might hear a noise before a note is plucked – the noise of the pick scraping against the string. This is normal and expected for a beginner and you can come back to solve this problem once you progress in other areas of the instrument. For the more intermediate players wishing to correct this issue you will need to work on not touching the string before you pluck it. This requires more control but if you work on this with the rudiments above your notes will sounds more pure.

Another finger combination is the first finger and the thumb, which plays notes that are close together, like “Sol’ and ‘La’ , or ‘Sol’ and ‘Do’ , even ‘Sol’ and ‘Re’. Your thumb would play the ‘Sol’ notes and index finger would play the lower-pitched note.

Once you have worked on the right hand move to the left. Go through the same process of isolating each finger to get the correct movement and technique, and move through different note combinations when practicing.

Here is an excerpt on plucking technique from Bei Bei’s Guzheng Tutorial:

March 11, 2024March 17, 2025

How To Play Chords On The Guzheng – A Guide For Beginners

Playing chords on the Guzheng is a great tool to add depth and richness to your Guzheng playing.

What is a Chord?

A chord is 3 or more notes played together to form a harmony. If you play an interval (2 notes together) then add one more note it becomes a chord. For example , play Do (D string) and Mi (F# string), then add a lower Mi. Those notes are a chord. If you need to review the string names we have a blog post on The String Names On The Guzheng

Let’s try the same idea on Re (E string) and La (B string). Then we will add another Re on a lower octave for a bigger sound.

Proper Hand and Finger Position Is Key

It is important to make sure all three fingers are playing the strings at the same time. Before you pluck the strings place your fingers on them and try and remember what that hand position feels like. Later you can come back to it with the correct hand shape.

More Complex Chords

To add more richness to the chord we can add another note to make a 4 note chord. Now that we are playing more notes we have to be strategic with our fingerings – play the lower La with ring finger, Do with the middle finger, Mi with the index finger and the higher La with your thumb.

Just like with the 3 note chords, be sure to practice playing all 4 notes at the same time. Remember what your hand feels like when you are resting your fingers on the string and practice finding that position until it becomes a habit.

Once you get the hang of the finger position try and move the 3 or 4 note chord up or down a string to practice adjusting your wrist to the changing positions. Concentrate on a smooth attack where all fingers play at the same time.

Adding the Left Hand

Once you can play chords with the right hand you can play the same chords but with the left hand. Remember, the left hand plays on the Guzheng almost in the middle of the string area. If you are unfamiliar with this we have a great blog post on Guzheng Playing Area The good news is you can use the same fingerings for left hand as you did for the right hand with the 3 or 4 note chords.

Now that you know how to play chords on the Guzheng there are some specific chords you should know. But for now concentrate on getting the fundamentals down and getting acquainted with playing multiple strings at the same time with a balanced attack.

Here is a video excerpt from Bei Bei’s Guzheng Tutorial on playing chords on the Guzheng

February 22, 2024June 29, 2024

Guzheng Playing Area: Where To Pluck On A String

In this blog post we will talk about Guzheng Playing Area – where to pluck the strings. The plucking area of the Guzheng is between the Yue Mountain and the moveable bridges.

The right hand plucks closest to the Yue Mountain and plucks an area about 1/8 of the string length from the Yue Mountain to the movable bridges. Since the string is longer on the lower sounding registers you will play further from the Mountain when you play on those strings. The higher pitched strings are plucked closer to the Mountain, since they are shorter.

Beginners can have a general rule of right hand plucking about 1 inch away from the mountain, in order to not make things too complicated. You can refine your plucking distances over time as you hear the difference it makes in tone and dynamics.

The left hand plucks almost in the middle of the picking area. This is except for the lower register stings, which are played a little more to the left. A good rule is lining up your left shoulder to find the area of plucking for the bass strings. Your left hand should never be plucking further than your left shoulder line.

Here is an excerpt from Bei Bei’s Guzheng Tutorial on Guzheng playing area

Speaking of plucking, do you have Guzheng Picks And Tape?

February 19, 2024March 14, 2025

Guzheng Posture : Sitting Position And Hand Shape

If you want to play the Guzheng effectively you will need to evaluate your posture to better focus your body when playing. This guide and video will serve as a resource you can refer back to to make sure your posture is optimal.

Sitting Position Guzheng Posture - you will need a stool about 16-18 inches high

Selecting A Stool

You will need a stool similar to this one, ideally about 16-18 inches high. If it’s adjustable to find your personal height more effectively. You can find this one on Amazon

Sitting Position

Next position yourself so that your right shoulder is inline with the ‘Yue Mountain’ – the bridge on the head – near the tuning pegs. Please refer to our Parts Of The Guzheng blog post if these terms are unfamiliar.

Line up your belly button with the first movable bridge. The distance between your belly and the instrument will be about 2 closed fists distance – or about 6-8 inches. Keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.

Hand Shape

For our study on Guzheng Posture we will now move on to hand shape. Make your hand very relaxed for the basic hand shape. It should look a little like you are holding an apple towards the ground. Form the ‘C’ shape with your thumb and index finger.

Wrist placement is important on the Guzheng, as it has a curved soundboard. There are 3 basic wrist angles depending on where you are playing on the instrument.

Playing on the bass strings your wrist will be slightly up

If you are playing in the middle range your wrist would be mostly flat

Playing the higher string would have your wrist a little bit lower

Beginners often have trouble the ‘flat’ and ‘up’ wrist angle. Be sure to pay attention and be mindful when using those positions. The wrist is meant to adjust its angle as you play different registers.

Thanks for reading this blog on Guzheng Posture. Take the time to develop correct posture and your Guzheng playing will benefit from it.

Excerpt from Bei Bei’s Guzheng Tutorial –

February 15, 2024March 14, 2025

The Names of The Strings On The Guzheng

The Chinese zither, or Guzheng is tuned to a particular set of notes, called a musical scale. This tuning helps gives the Guzheng its musical character and sound. Let’s learn the names of the strings on the Guzheng. The most common scale used is the D Major Pentatonic Scale. This scale contains the notes D E F# A B.

Typically, Guzheng players associate these tones with their Solfege names. D is Do , E is Re, F# is Mi, A is Sol , B is La.

Here is an excerpt from Bei Bei’s Guzheng Tutorial:

This pattern of notes repeats over the length of the instrument. Additionally, it is important to realize that the thinnest string and the thickest string are ‘D’ strings. The instrument starts and ends with ‘D’ strings. To help the eye see this pattern the “A” string is usually another color , mostly green but sometimes red. The "A" strings are usually green, helping you see the notes of the guzheng

It is important to relate the tones of the D Major Pentatonic Scale with the notes of the D Major Scale. You spell The D Major Scale with the notes D E F# G A B C#. The D major Pentatonic scale omits the 4th and 7th degress of the the D Major Scale.

Now that you have an understanding of the names of the strings on the Guzheng perhaps you would like to continue with your studies? Bei Bei put together this Popular 3 Book Set to guide a total beginner into a well rounded Guzheng player. It is an excellent resource to even experienced players.

February 14, 2024February 27, 2025

Learn The Parts Of The Guzheng

What is a Guzheng?

The Guzheng, a 21 -stringed traditional Chinese musical instrument belongs to the asian long zither family. It is a plucked-string instrument with a vast history dating back over 2,500 years. The Guzheng features a rectangular-shaped soundbox with strings stretched over movable bridges. Here are its main parts:

Lets learn the parts of The Guzheng

Head- This area contains the compartment where the tuning pegs are.
Tail- This is the portion is the furthest away from the performer and is the main focal point for decorative elements, which typically match the decor of the head. The tail is where the strings come through the bottom of the body
Soundbox: The body of the Guzheng is generally made of wood. For the most part Paulownia wood is the traditional choice. The soundbox amplifies the vibrations of the strings, producing sound.
Soundboard: The top board of the soundbox
Backboard: The bottom board of the soundbox
Bridges: The Guzheng has movable bridges chiefly made of wood, but sometimes other materials. These bridges support the strings and help to determine the pitch of each note. By adjusting the position of the bridges, the player can fine tune the instrument
Yue Mountain and S bridge: These are the starting and ending points for the strings. The Yue Mountain is the right long bridge. The S bridge is generally an ‘S’ shape. However on certain models, the bridge is straight.
Strings: The Guzheng has 21 strings, although modern versions may have more. The strings have a steel core with a nylon wrapping.
Tuning Pegs: The tuning pegs are located at one end of the Guzheng generally inside a little box at the head. They are used to adjust the tension of the strings, therefore controlling the pitch of each note. Our tuning blog post – https://www.theguzhengshop.com/uncategorized/blog/how-to-tune-a-guzheng-a-step-by-step-guide/
Decorative Elements: Many Guzhengs are works of art adorned with Intricate designs- Carvings Paintings and many more varieties on the head and tail and sometimes on the bridges as well. Some brands have adornments specifically developed by them not found in competitors.

Excerpt from Bei Bei’s Guzheng Tutorial –

February 8, 2024March 6, 2025

How To Put On Guzheng Picks: A Step-by-Step Guide

To play the Guzheng you will need to wear finger picks. Some players wear picks on both hands while others prefer wearing them on the right hand only. Follow your teachers instructions or decide for yourself if you are learning on your own.

To put on Guzheng picks, you’ll only need a few things: Guzheng Picks, Finger Tape, and a pair of scissors.

Select The Picks

guzheng picks are needed when playing the guzheng Guzheng picks (fingerpicks) are made of many different materials. Typically synthetic material such as plastic / acrylic or organic material such as cow bone and tortoise shell. They come in various sizes to fit different finger sizes, and different thicknesses to produce different sounds. Select picks that are the right fit for your hand. Experiment with different materials and thicknesses to find a sound you like.

Prepare Your Fingernails

Before putting on the Guzheng picks, make sure your fingernails are clean and trimmed to an appropriate length. Long nails may interfere with the fit of the picks and affect your ability to play the instrument effectively.

Cut A Piece of Tape

Tape will hold the picks to your finger. You will need a piece of tape that is typically 15-20cm (6-8inches) in length. Wrap the tape once along the bottom of the pick. Now we are ready to put the pick on the finger.

Position The Picks

Hold the pick between your thumb and index finger, ensuring that the curved part of the pick is facing downwards. Be sure the pointed end of the pick is positioned towards your fingertip. The picks go on the pad of your finger and should start just above the first knuckle.

Wrap Tape Around the Pick

Wrap the pick with the tape in a neatly in one line. Be sure to not wrap the tape too tightly, or too loose. It should be tight enough to hold the pick in place, however, it should feel comfortable. You are nearly done putting on Guzheng picks.

Guzheng picks on the right hand

Adjust As Needed

Once the pick is in place, adjust its position to ensure it feels comfortable and allows you to play the strings with ease. You may need to experiment with different finger positions and pick angles to find what works best for you.

Repeat For Each Finger

Repeat the process for each finger you plan on wearing picks. Guzheng Picks on the Right Thumb

Thumb Picks Are A Little Different

For the right thumb, tape the pick at a 30 degree angle to the left. For the left thumb the pick should be at a 30 degree angle to the right.

Practice: After putting on the picks, spend some time practicing basic techniques and familiarizing yourself with the feel of the picks on your fingers. If you are not used to fingerpicks, it might take some time to adjust. Indeed, it may take some time to adjust to playing with picks if you’re not used to them. As you progress in your Guzheng journey you will find small adjustments that make the picks more comfortable and to better suit your hand, so be patient and persistent in your practice.

February 7, 2024February 28, 2025

How To Tune a Guzheng: A Step-by-Step Guide

There are 2 ways to tune a Guzheng. The first way involves adjusting the tension of the strings to produce the desired pitches. The second involves moving the bridges to fine tune the string.

Here are general steps for tuning a Guzheng:

Understand The Tuning of The Guzheng

The Guzheng has movable bridges, and each string is traditionally tuned to a specific note. The standard tuning for a 21-string Guzheng is the D major Pentatonic scale. The notes are D, E, F#, A, B. This pattern repeats in order over the entire instrument. There are alternate tunings to achieve different keys and scales but we will be using standard ‘D major’ tuning.

Guzheng Tuning Wrench Inside The Guzheng Soundbox — **To Tune Your Guzheng You Will Need A Tuning Wrench – They Are Included When You Buy Or Rent A Guzheng**

Get A Tuning Wrench

In order to tune the strings of a Guzheng you will need a tuning wrench. These wrenches are always included with you purchase or rent a Guzheng.

Identify The Strings

Each string on the Guzheng must be tuned to a specific pitch. The thickest string is ‘D’ , and it follows the pattern ‘D , E , F# , A , B, D, E, F# , etc’ To help the eye see the 5 string sets the ‘A’ string is usually a different color . Identify the strings, and the ‘A’ string pattern and after that you will know which string you are tuning to which pitch.

Tune The Guzheng From Low To High

Start tuning from the lowest-pitched string and move to the highest. Insert the tuning wrench and turn the tuning pegs clockwise to increase tension (raising the pitch) or counterclockwise to decrease tension (lowering the pitch). On the thinnest strings (highest pitched) be careful and turn the tuning wrench slowly to avoid breaking a string.

Use A Chromatic Tuner

There are smart phone apps that are tuners. Additionally you can buy a small digital chromatic tuner, which can be more accurate. You’ll need to get the tuner close to the instrument, you can put it on a music stand. Some tuners have little clips like the picture above – you can clip it to tuning box. As you tune the string, you’ll need to continuously pluck the string as you watch the tuner. All tuners have some kind of light or signal when you are right on a pitch.

Bend / Stretch The Strings, Check Tuning Again

Now that you have tuned all the strings, the next step is to gently bend the strings by pressing down on the string towards the floor. Afterwards the strings might go out of tune again, this is normal and you’ll have to go through all the strings again and tune them to pitch

Guzheng Bridges can be moved to fine tune or change tunings

Adjusting The Bridges

Occasionally you will need to fine-tune the pitch of individual strings by moving the bridges slightly. These bridges are movable and may need to be adjusted to refine the intonation. Lift the string up with your right hand and grab the bridge with your left hand thumb, index and middle finger to slide it to the left or right to fine tuning. Moving the bridge to the right increases the pitch, moving to the left lowers the pitch. Repeat As Needed

Due to the nature of the instrument you’ll have to go through the tuning process a few times if necessary.

Now that you know the basics of how to tune a Guzheng, remember that it may take some practice. Also it is important to be patient. If you’re unsure about tuning the instrument yourself, consider seeking help from a more experienced player or a professional instrument technician.