Erhu Care Tips Part 3 – Quick Qianjin Fixes & Preventing Slipping (feat. Mr Wilson Neo)

Tip 5: Quick Fix for a Worn-Out Qianjin

The qianjin is the thread that binds the erhu strings and creates a pressure point for tonal stability. Over time, it wears out and becomes thin, causing pitch instability when you bow. Even slight pressure variations can affect the pitch.

Emergency Fix:

Twist the qianjin slightly to shift the worn area to the side. This creates a new, firmer pressure point, offering a temporary fix until you can replace it.

Shoelace as a Qianjin?!

Mr Neo shared a clever, unconventional fix from a past SYF competition. When a student’s qianjin snapped and there was no replacement, he improvised using a shoelace. It worked — saving the day under high-pressure conditions!

Tip 6: How to Prevent Your Erhu from Slipping

Ever had your erhu slip off your lap during performance? This often happens with smooth pants and expressive movements.

Mr Neo’s Clever DIY Hack:

Stick a frame-shaped piece of foam or polyester (with the middle cut out) to the base of your erhu. The groove increases friction, while the cut-out allows access to the screws at the base.

Alternative: Use a Non-Slip Mat

If you prefer not to stick anything on your erhu, a simple non-slip mat (available at Daiso or hardware stores) works well too.

Pro Tip: The Ming Qing Aged Rosewood Erhu by Yu Kai Ming has carved grooves on its baseplate to naturally prevent slippage — a thoughtful design for serious players.

🎤 Live Performance Highlight

We wrapped up the session with a performance of “慢慢喜欢你”, featuring:

• Mr Wilson Neo on Zhonghu
• Anson on Yangqin
• Ruiling on Erhu
• Sung Wah on Guitar
• Biyu on Vocals

📺 Watch & Connect

Don’t miss our weekly Eason Live sessions every Friday at 5PM on Facebook and Instagram. Got questions about the erhu or Chinese instruments? Drop us a message — we’re happy to help!