Erhu (Chinese Fiddle) - Spring Term 2026

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the Erhu, a traditional two-stringed Chinese instrument renowned for its expressive and emotive sound. It is suitable for learners of all skill levels, from complete beginners to those wishing to refine advanced techniques.

Through a structured curriculum and personalised feedback, students will explore both the fundamental and sophisticated aspects of Erhu performance, including posture, bowing techniques, fingering positions, and interpretation of both classical and contemporary pieces.

Course Content

1. Introduction to the structure and tonal characteristics of the Erhu

2. Learning simple melodies such as “Purple Bamboo Melody” and “Beautiful Night”

3. Understanding the historical and cultural significance of the Erhu in Chinese music

4. Core techniques including basic bowing, vibrato, and tone modulation

5. Scales, arpeggios, and common melodic patterns to develop finger flexibility

6. Study of representative pieces such as “Moon Reflected on Second Spring” (Erquan Yingyue) and “River of Sorrow” (Jianghe Shui)

7. Advanced techniques including position shifting and rapid rhythmic changes

8. Guidance on emotional depth and musical expression in performance

9. Exploration of improvisation and creative interpretation using traditional melodies

Course Highlights

1. Flexible course structure tailored to students’ proficiency levels, combining group learning with one-to-one feedback for individualised attention.

2. Interactive learning with live demonstrations and regular Q&A sessions.

3. Students will participate in performance showcases at Goldsmiths, gaining stage experience and receiving feedback from both peers and the instructor.

4. Comprehensive teaching materials provided, including sheet music, audio recordings, and step-by-step video tutorials.

Course Format

Short-term course (Spring Term)

Available in both group and one-to-one sessions

Offered online or in person at Goldsmiths, University of London

It is recommended that you bring your own Erhu to class, if you would like advice on which Erhu please contact us.

Booking

If you are booking 1-1 classes, there is a 10% discount when you book 10 or more classes at once, this is applied automatically on Eventbrite. No further discounts are available for 1-1 courses. If you are booking group classes, a minimum of 2 students are required. Refund is applicable if there are not enough students. Please note to obtain extra classes for £30 you must first register for 10 sessions.

A minimum of 5 classes is required per student. You can add additional sessions using the 'Additional Sessions' ticket type. Please purchase your classes at least 1 week in advance. If you cancel/cannot make it within 24 hours of your session, you will be charged for this session. Flexible 1-1 classes are available until the end of term and will restart at the beginning of the next term. *Please note if you are booking less than one week before the start of a course you must contact us about securing a place. Contact the office via email at Confucius@gold.ac.uk.

Rescheduling Classes

1-1 Class times are decided between the student and the teacher and are flexible. Group Class time is scheduled at the time listed below. The date and time scheduled for all flexible 1-1 classes can only be changed twice in a 10 week booking period (or once in a 5-week booking period). Refunds will not be issued to those who have changed class times more than the aforementioned times and are unable to attend the new scheduled date and time.

Term Dates

Dates: Wednesday 14 January 2026 - Wednesday 25 March

Time: 5.30 - 7.00 pm

Location: Room 220, Richard Hoggart Building, Goldsmiths SE14 6NW

Please note, there are no classes during reading week (w/c 16 November) or bank holidays.