Spinning the Stream of Time with the Erhu - The Art of Playing "Like a Stream on the River

Like a Stream of Rivers" is a song that has touched the hearts of many people with its gentle and flowing melody.
Playing this famous song on the erhu is a poetic journey that expresses the deep serenity of life through its tones.

This piece is a Japanese song, but it is perfectly suited to the soft tones of the erhu,
The soft tones of the erhu perfectly capture the serenity and melancholy of the song.

In this blog, I would like to share some tips on how to play "Like a Flowing River" on the erhu in a more moving way.
Like a flowing river, sometimes gentle, sometimes powerful, let's express its beautiful melody on the erhu.

1. understanding the background and emotion of the piece

Like a Flowing River" is a song that celebrates the flow of life and the beauty of nature.
It is recognized as a classic Japanese song,
What a surprise! The lyrics were written by Yasushi Akimoto, the producer of AKB48.
It is amazing how much Akimoto Yasushi has to offer!
The lyrics to "Like a Stream on the River" were written by Yasushi Akimoto, the producer of AKB48,
The lyrics of "Like a Stream of Water" are so emotionally rich that it is hard to believe that Akimoto Yasushi wrote the lyrics for AKB48.

Before playing on the erhu, please understand the background of the song and the meaning of the lyrics in depth,
and make the emotion of the lyrics your own.
Understanding the emotion of the song will add depth and emotion to your playing,
the depth and emotion of your playing. 2.

2. flowing bowing

The melody of this piece is as smooth as a flowing river.
From the lowest note of the open inner string to the high note of the chorus,
The melody gently ascends over a wide range of notes from the lowest open string on the inner string to the high note in the chorus.

When playing this piece on the erhu, be especially careful with the bowing,
The melody line should be expressed in a flowing manner without any interruptions.
By controlling the pressure and speed of the bow,
the quiet parts and the strong parts of the river flow. 3.

3. expression of dynamics

In the performance of "Like a Flowing River," express the emotional ups and downs of the piece,
In the performance of "Like a Stream," it is important to control the dynamics (strength and weakness of sound) in order to express the emotional ups and downs of the piece.

Use weak notes in the beginning of the song and strong notes in the chorus section, where the emotion is heightened,
Use weak notes in the beginning of the song and strong notes in the chorus section to express the dramatic development of the song. 4.

4. use vibrato with emotion

The erhu can use vibrato to add emotion to its sound.
When playing a moving piece such as "Like a Stream,
The proper use of vibrato can add depth and warmth to the sound.
Use vibrato extensively, especially during the climax and emotional parts of the song,
Aim for a performance that deeply touches the listener's heart.

However, since this piece is a modern Japanese song,
However, since this piece is a modern Japanese song, do not use a vibrato so intense that you cannot understand the pitch of the notes,
I feel that it will be more Japanese if you aim for a moderate expression. 5.

5. what you want to put into your performance

Lastly, when playing "Like a Stream on the River" on the erhu, what do you think about the technical aspects of the piece?
It is important to put your own feelings into your performance, and not just from a technical standpoint.
In erhu playing, the "spirit of enka" is also important.
The spirit of enka is also important in erhu playing.
Through playing erhu, you can feel the beauty of your own life and time,
and express it in your music.

To play "Like a Stream on the River" on the erhu is to feel the beauty and melancholy of life through music,
expressing the beauty and melancholy of life through music,
It is a very special experience.
With these points as a guide, you can express the beauty and melancholy of life through your own performance,
Create an unforgettable moment that will deeply touch the hearts of your audience.