The typical tape used for taping nails for both guzheng and pipa are a simple cloth-backed multi-use tape. It comes in many colors and different lengths. The width is usually 10mm or 0.4 inches. This is the standard for adhesive finger pick tapes and is so mass produced you can find it on most every online retailer around the world. Brands are not usually advertised, it’s all just tape. a single roll will cost between $1-2 and will typically last you 1-2 months depending on how often you cut new sections and how long you cut them. Two months of daily practice is about when you will run out.
Read MoreOrdering everything online can be annoying; it’'d be nice to go to a local store and just buy what you need. There are no Asian music supply stores in the area so I tried a generic Waterproof Adhesive Tape from a drug store. The adhesive is weak, the backing is stiff, and after a week of use I would not recommend it for guzheng use.
Read MoreLeukotape is a fabric tape with latex adhesive that can be used to tape guzheng nails onto fingers. It comes in wide rolls that enable you to cut strips to whatever width you want. It stays rigid and firm for about 6 applications, after which nails move more and more. The latex adhesive can be a problem. It stays o your finger and on the fabric side of the tape, creating sticky spots that interfere with yáo zhǐ (摇指). Leukotape is an option for people who don't like the width of conventional guzheng tape, but more advanced users may be frustrated by the excessive stickiness and loss of rigor as the tape stretches. $10 for ~ 65 weeks of single-session daily practice. Rolls are 15 yards of 1.5in-width tape.
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