ERHU LESSONS SINGAPORE

Your Gateway to Enchanting Erhu Classes in Singapore

REASONS TO LEARN THE ERHU

OUR LESSON OPTIONS

Trial Lesson

A one-time trial Erhu lesson for newcomers, providing an opportunity to experience the instrument and teaching style before committing to regular classes.

4-Lesson Package

For beginners seeking an introductory experience without a long-term commitment.
(No instrument needed)


Weekly Lessons

For players interested in continuing long-term for examinations or leisure purposes.



Others

We also offer customised lessons such as Singapore DSA preparations, grading exam preparations, competition preparations and many more!

CRAFT YOUR JOURNEY

Erhu Lessons
Leisure
When you learn for leisure, you can have a stress free learning experience by choosing the types of songs that you want to learn. You pick up the basics of the instrument through learning your choice songs.
Erhu Lessons
Music Grading Examinations
When you learn for exams, you have a choice of either following the examination syllabus of Teng-CI-NTU Chinese instrumental examination or NAFA Chinese instrumental examination. Instructors will formulate lesson plans based on either syllabus.
TENG Syllabus
Beginner

Grade 1:
Chan Mali Chan
小星星 Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars
凤阳花鼓 Fengyang Flower Drum Dance
男儿当自强 Man of Determination

Grade 2:
七部曲 In Seven Steps
Burung Kakak Tua
茉莉花 Jasmine
秧歌调 Yang Ge Melody

Grade 3:
天 Sky
Rasa Sayang
小花鼓 Little Flower Drum
拉骆驼 Herding Camels

Intermediate

Grade 4:
春江花月夜 Moonlight Of Spring River
良宵 Nocturne
光明行 March of Brightness
大河涨水沙浪沙 The River's Tide

Grade 5:
阿美族舞曲 Dance of the Ami Tribe
喜送公粮 Harvest Happiness
听松 Listening To The Pines
紫竹调 Purple Bamboo Tune

Grade 6:
空山鸟语 Songs Of Birds In A Desolate Mountain
春诗 Spring Poetry
苏南小曲 Sunan Ditty
秦风 Qin Feng

Advanced

Grade 7:
河南小曲 Ditty of Henanr
二泉映月 Reflections of the Moon on Erquan
洪湖人民的心愿 Hopes of Honghu People
江南春色 Spring Scenery of Jiang Nan

Grade 8:
汉宫秋月 Autumn Moon Over The Han Palace
长城随想 第三乐章 - 忠魂祭 The Great Wall Capriccio Third Movement - Memorial Ceremony For Fallen Defenders
阳关三叠 Three Variations Of The Parting At Yangguan
兰花花叙事曲 The Lan Hua Hua Rhapsody

NAFA Syllabus
Beginner

Grade 1:
田园春色

凤阳花鼓
迷胡小调
西藏舞曲
长城谣

Grade 2:
小花鼓
黄水谣
沂蒙山小调
窗音
快乐的校园
春雨

Grade 3:
山村变了样
良宵
赛马
喜唱丰收
拉路驼
新农村

Intermediate

Grade 4:
光明行
奔驰在千里草原
喜送公粮
赶集
北京有个金太阳

Grade 5:
翻身歌
空山鸟语
烛影摇红
陕北抒怀
流波曲

Grade 6:
葡萄熟了
江南春色
月夜
江河水
听松

Advanced

Grade 7:
春诗
豫北叙事曲
草原新牧民
洪湖人民的心愿

Grade 8:
秦腔主题随想曲
三门峡畅想曲
二泉映月
病中吟

Grade 9:
一枝花
蓝花花叙事曲
新婚别 (叙事曲)
长城随想

Performance Diploma:
阳光照耀着塔什库尔干
第一二胡狂想曲
流浪者之歌
贵妃情

MEET OUR TEACHERS

At Eason Music, we understand your musical journey,
and that's why we've gathered a team of seasoned Erhu instructors dedicated to lighting your path.
Deborah Siok

A young home-grown erhu musician, Deborah Siok has performed extensively in the local music scene and has won top prizes in competitions organized by the National Arts Council as well as the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.



Guo Xiaojin

Guo Xiaojin was born in Guangdong Province, China, and began her musical journey at the age of four with the piano before picking up the Erhu at six. She received guidance from renowned Erhu artists, including Zhang Lei, Liu Hong, Zhang Zunlian, and Zhu Lin, during her early training.

Koh Yu Jie

Koh Yu Jie started learning the erhu at age 9 under the tutelage of renowned Erhu master Zhang Yu Ming. She holds a Certificate of Diploma in the Chinese Instrumental Examinations of both the National University of Singapore (NUS) Centre of the Arts and the Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM).

Wang Siqi

Wang Siqi began to learn Erhu performance at the age of 4. She followed Professor Zhu Jiangbo to learn erhu performance at the age of 7. During this period, she received careful instruction from Mr. Ye Qiang and Ms. Liu Hong.



Wang Zhi Jun

Wang Zhi Jun started learning the ErHu and painting at the age of six. In 2010, Wang with honor Admitted to the Middle School Affiliated to the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts in Beijing to further her Erhu studies, under Professor Yan Jiemin in Central Conservatory of Music University.


Chen Ning

Chen Ning started learning the erhu at the tender age of 10, under the tutelage of Xu Wenjing. Her keen interest in the instrument led her to join the Nanyang Primary School’s Chinese Orchestra and consequently, the Nanyang Girls’ High School Chinese Orchestra, where she was appointed sectional leader and concertmaster.

Fong Liyang

Fong Liyang started learning the erhu at the age of 9, under Mr Liu Chong Zheng. A keen learner, Liyang obtained diploma certification in erhu at the age of 15. He then joined the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and furthered his studies in erhu performance under the tutelage of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra’s concert master, Mr Li Bao Shun.

Liu Zhen Sin

Liu Zhen Sin began learning the Erhu when he joined Keming Primary School Chinese Orchestra at 7 years old. Currently, he is under the tutelage of Mr Neo Yong Soon Wilson, a Zhonghu musician from the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.




Lim Ee Teck

While Ee Teck only began learning the Erhu at the age of 12, he quickly grown to become an accomplished musician alongside his peers, under the tutelage of Mr Wilson Neo.

OUR STUDENTS

  • Motomochi Nozomi
    My daughter, Emi, is learning the Erhu from Deborah. She kindly show how to play the Erhu and made it easy to understand for Emi. Deborah's playing is very beautiful. Emi is shy, but likes her very much. Because of Deborah, Emi is interested in music now. Thank you!

    Motomochi Nozomi

    Singapore
  • Z. Ong
    I have been learning the Erhu from Liyang since 2019. His instructions and teachings are clear and he knows his stuff well. He is eager to teach more when the student shows ability to move further. In short, Liyang is a strict instructor who sets expectation on his student and corrects the mistakes instantly. Now, I can play the song from any score and eagerly improve on the intonation each time I practice! Eason Music isa place where Chinese Music is appreciated and sought. The instruments parts and scores are easily available for purchase and replacement. Repairs can also be done at Eason, which is a plus.

    Z. Ong

    Singapore
  • J. Tan
    Xiaojin is an affable person with considerable expertise in Erhu. It has been about 3 years since I started to learn under her tutelage. She usually motivates and encourages me to not give up. Albeit my chinese is mediocre, I personally feel that communication wasn’t much of an issue during lessons as Xiaojin’s understanding of English is rather great. I have more confidence in playing the Erhu now, without the need to mark the notes on my Erhu, unlike before. Eason offers flexible timings, which is great for my busy schedule, and the staff are always cordial!

    J. Tan

    Singapore
  • Goh B.
    Within these 2 years of learning the Erhu under Deborah, I would say that I am happy with my progress and can play some of the songs that I particularly like. Deborah is patient and clear in her instructions, which is easy for me to understand and digest them during lesson so my practices can be effective. Eason Music School also has flexibility in the timing of the lessons! Staff there also also friendly and helpful.

    Goh B.

    Singapore
  • I. Low
    Throughout these 2 years of learning the Erhu from Xiao Jin, I feel that she is always helpful and really nice with me, thus making me enjoy the lessons. I am constantly strengthening my erhu skills under Xiao Jin, and also got good results for the grading exams. Eason Music School is at a convenient place for us as our family usually go to that area on the day of our lessons for lunch.

    I. Low

    Singapore
  • Tracy Ki
    Chen Ning is very patient and dedicated in teaching me the Erhu. I like the way she studies why I'm not getting certain techniques correct and patiently guides me even though I repeat my mistakes. I have improved over time but I'm far from being able to play independently, however slowly but surely I am sure I'll be able to! I like the location and Eason Music offers flexibility to change your lesson timing if you are unable to attend lessons. Thank you Eason!

    Tracy Ki

    Singapore
  • P. Tan
    Deborah is very encouraging, and specific in pointing out areas for improvement during the lesson. My confidence level has gone up and playing has improved a lot. Eason Music also has good flexibility in lesson time as I have work commitments, and might not be able to make it for certain lessons.

    P. Tan

    Singapore
  • Terence Lim
    Xiaojin is patient, engaging, well-organised and experienced. She is also encouraging and supportive of her students. I got to learn many classical tunes I like from the NAFA syllabuses. The skills and knowledge helps me to prepare to play my favourite tunes in the future, in my free time. i like the conducive environment at Eason Music School as well the home-based learning, which was implemented during COVID-19. The school also sells a variety of Erhu and accessories. The instructors and staffs are friendly and approachable. There are many opportunities to explore and improve the learning experience of students, and Eason Music School has done very well.

    Terence Lim

    Singapore

Frequently Asked Questions

1Is the Erhu difficult to learn?

The Erhu is an instrument that is hard to pick up. One of the bottlenecks when learning the Erhu is getting used to the posture of the right hand, which you hold the bow with.

Another is with the left hand. Unlike our western counterpart the violin, Erhu does not have a fret board. It will be more challenging for learners to find and remember the position of notes and how much force to use for every note to find the correct intonation. In exchange, we have a number of techniques that are unique to the Erhu which the violin is unable to perform.

Having said that, the Erhu is an extremely rewarding and satisfying instrument to learn. An instructor can definitely make your learning much more simple and enjoyable!

2How much does an Erhu cost?
Usually, an Erhu for beginners can cost about SGD$100 to SGD$300. On the other spectrum, Erhus may cost 5 or even up to 6 figures! Higher priced Erhus sound clearer, thicker and to a certain extent, somewhat easier to play on. Click here for our range of Erhus.
3Is the Erhu loud?

The Erhu may not as loud as you might think! According to empirical research, the Erhu played at a forte level is about 80-90dB, which translates to somewhat louder than a conversation, which is about 60dB, when played at a normal level.

If you are afraid that the volume might affect your family or neighbours, the Erhu has a mute which suppresses almost half of your playing volume.

4What is the Erhu commonly used for?
The Erhu, like the violin, often carrying the melodies and counter melodies in an orchestra. Erhus are also often heard supporting main melodies by either playing rhythmic verses or playing harmonic accompaniments to the main melody.
5How do you play the Erhu?
As a bowed string instrument, the Erhu is mainly played using a bow held in a underhand grip in a push and pull manner. The strings can also be plucked or strummed for certain pieces but it does not resonate as well the violin. Some more recent pieces also require Erhu players to tap the snakeskin of the Erhu.
6What does an Erhu sound like?
An Erhu sounds somewhat like a violin, but not as bright and somewhat melancholic. It has a unique sound that is difficult to express using words and is often said to resemble the sound of a human voice.
7What is the Erhu made of?

The Erhu is made up of 2 main parts. The bow and the instrument. The bow is made using either wood or bamboo, with the latter being more common. The hair of the bow is made of horsehair.

The whole instrument (pegs, body and resonating box/chamber) is made of one type of wood. Common wood types used to make Erhus are Ebony wood, Rosewood and Sandalwood. In the past, it is common to see tuning pegs are made with different wood than the main body.

Some Erhus are installed/fitted with mechanical bronze tuners. These are not as common now and the design of these bronze tuners differ between the region it is made in, such as Shanghai and Beijing.

Similar to the head of the Erhu, tuning pegs often have decorative ends that are made with plastic. In the past, they are also made with of ivory or even bone, but has since been discontinued.

The decorative piece of the Erhu's resonating box/chamber is made out of a different type of wood than the main body. The most vital part of the instrument responsible for producing the sound and vibrations of the instrument is located on the other side, which is the snakeskin.

The strings were made of silk in the past. Now, we use steel strings and some have gold or silver coated on them.

8What can you play using an Erhu?
The Erhu can play various melodies, but not chords. The Erhu can play traditional pieces and also certain Western classical pieces such as Zigeunerweisen and even Carmen Fantasy, both by Sarasate, but transposed to other keys.

WHY EASON MUSIC