Old GXNU Campus and Music School

After the traditional music lecture, the students visited the music school on the old GXNU campus. Several teachers of traditional instruments came together to play and explain their instruments in detail. A flutist performed several songs from various bamboo flutes, ranging from small to very, very large.

An Er hu performer played the “Racing Horses” song that must be a staple when learning to play that instrument. She, along with a Pi pa performer, played “Moli Hua” for the students, one of the songs learned during the singing activity the previous week.

A fourth performer brought her Wulu Si, the instrument known as the “Chinese piano”. She played traditional and modern songs for the students, showing the range of her instrument. When asked how long she had been playing, she told the group she started when she was eight years old, and that she’s been playing for ten years.

Although many Chinese children are encouraged to play musical instruments starting at an early age, many parents hope that this skill will make their children well rounded, a mentality that is certainly a remnant from Confucius’ time and the study of the Six Classics, one of which was the study of music. Only some parents ever imagine that their children will become proficient enough to master an instrument and invest their lives in a career involving music.