I'm in a dilemma. I'm Chinese and love Chinese music very much as part of my culture yet I also love Western music. Right now, I'm leaning towards the harp because there are fewer harp players here whereas if I take up the guzheng, I'll be one of very many mediocre players. Also frankly, I think fewer people appreciate Chinese music.

So what should I do? I could learn both but my time and money would be halved? Or should I try playing transcribed Chinese music on western instruments? Or wait until I have some proficiency on the harp before taking up the guzheng? What do you think?

It's very hard for an adult to find time for music and I don't want to be mediocre at both if you know what I mean...I don't know how people juggle multiple instruments.

Well, they are totally different instruments and the answer to "which instrument?" questions is always to go for the one you like the sound of... Have you heard either of these live? What kind of music do you like? (If you don't already know, the zheng tunes to pentatonic scales, so the music will be different from what you play on a pedal harp.) Some other factors to consider:

Costs - a pedal harp costs at least a few thousands pounds...

Playing opportunities/transportation - do you like playing ensembles? If so, which gives you more opportunities where you live? Also, do you need to bring your own instrument? A zheng is portable while a pedal harp doesn't even fit in a normal car

Your musical background - do you already read 2 staves fluently (e.g. play piano)? If so, you may make quicker progress on the harp. When I learned the zhang in school (about 20 years ago), we used the traditional number notation (though it might not be the case anymore these days), which you'll probably have to learn from scratch

Playing style/coordination - the zheng is played with picks (attached to your fingers) mainly using the right hand (LH pressing the strings), while the harp with fingers (and you may not want tough skins on your hands ) using both hands plus 7 pedals for your feet

Have fun deciding! (Or simply go for both Why would it matter if it takes you a bit longer to learn two instruments at the same time? Learning one takes time anyway and as long as you enjoy it, who cares if you're making slow progress)

Oh! Meant to reply to you, Sakura, and forgot...

Zithers used to be a ghastly price in Japan, anyway...a recent boom has meant there are now student models at more reasonable prices here, but I don't know what the situation is like with guzheng. So I'll assume that price is not the major consideration!

Strings...is it easier for you to buy harp strings or zither strings?

Adaptability. I think it's easier to play western music on a zither than it is to play the various Chinese scales on a harp. (That is, it's easy if you have a good ear and can move the bridges easily yourself).

Youtube is full of combos of zither plus western instruments - I don't think you need to feel left out!

So which do you love the sound of best?

I'm somewhat tempted to have a go at the Japanese taisho-goto (a cross between a typewriter and a zither!), which is the ultimate in portability and affordability! Pity it doesn't sound better...

I grew up hearing guzheng music live and I have attended harp workshops so yes I have heard both. I like both repertoires.

I would start out with a lever harp but a guzheng is much, much cheaper. I could probably buy 8 guzhengs for the price of a lever harp.



I think I would be playing by myself at home mostly.



I can only read treble clef.



I can't tell about the coordination thing yet because I haven't actually played either.



Chinese music is well-rooted here so easier to buy Chinese zither strings rather than harp stuff which have to be imported.


You may be right. Certain techniques will be impossible on a harp.



I have played one before. They look really ugly! lol Right now, I'm thinking of just taking up the harp and getting to a certain level of proficiency and then maybe I'll take up the konghou. It's a sort of guzheng and harp hybrid. It's cheaper than a pedal harp too. I believe they use adapted pedal harp techniques for the konghou. I know there are local players here though not as many as guzheng.

Konghou...I think that's what we call the kugo in Japanese...same kind of history (reinvented in modern times). Why not start straight with that, if that's where your interest lies? It will surely keep you busy for a few decades!

OOh konghou! I love the konghou... and there are some which are pedal konghous. Fabulous concept! For the curious this is basically a harp with two strings for each note- so two parallel rang of strings- and the pairs are joined to a rocking bar at the bottom so pushing on one of the pair bends the note sounding on the other. The recording I have are by Cui Junzhi, and I have heard her live a couple of times.

I learnt the Guzheng with the traditional number notation but it wasn't too difficult. The harp is definitely more expensive to buy - so unless cost is an issue, then go for the guzheng.

I think it depends on who you are going to play for. If you are going to play for yourself, then it is up to you. If you want to play for relatives and friends, then go for the guzheng. If you want to play in local ensembles or orchestras, then go for the harp.

Cost is definitely an issue. Money-wise, I can save up for a beginner's guzheng faster than I can buy a lever harp. With the price of a good beginner's lever harp, I can buy TWO professional grade guzhengs made of aged wood with fancy decorations etc... Harp lessons are also more expensive plus a lot of stuff would have to be bought online and shipped overseas (strings, music etc.) For guzheng, I have everything I need locally 'cos I live in a place full of Chinese peeps.

I would be playing mostly for myself though I hope to perform now and then. One can't really play in orchestras with a lever harp, you need a pedal harp for that and of course they are even more expensive.

I am tempted to just take up the guzheng first and then switch to harp when I have saved up a goodly sum of money (harp is so expensive I don't think I can learn another instrument at the same time). However by then, it may be too painful to quit.... I might end up blowing the harp money for a professional grade guzheng instead Maybe I will never get around to learning the harp in that case

Konghou: since it's a reinvented instrument, the repertoire is kind of limited so I don't really think I would start off with it. It's a bit of a novelty. Probably less than 5 players here.