Sheng – technical skills, polyphonic works, etc.

RE: Sheng
From: Chris Lim
Sent: 05 June 2008 16: 07PM
To: Leandro Martin

Hi Leandro,

Thanks for the comments.

Basically, the technical skills are similar to most woodwind instruments like the clarinet or oboe. It can play up to a maximum of 10 notes at a time (using all 10 fingers) but normally 3 to 5 notes are commonly used. Yes, the sheng can play polyphonic works (normally 2 parts, 3 parts are not so common due to the range and fingering). Yes, you can either blow (exhale) or inhale air from the air chamber of the sheng. (2-way)

Range of the 37-reed Soprano Sheng: g – g3 (fully chromatic).

Regards,
Chris Lim

Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 20:20:02 +0000
From: Leandro Martin
To: Chris Lim
Subject: Sheng

Mr:

Hello, I’m an argentinian composer. My name is Leandro Martin. I’m very impressed about your instrument, it’s incredible. I would like to write a piece for sheng, can you please give me more details about it’s technical skills? How many notes can play at the same time? Can you play polyphonic works? The air goes in and out like a harmonica (inhalation-exhalation)?

Any comment could be useful!

Thank you for your attention
Leandro Martin