Kaili Miao Lusheng Making Skills

Guizhou
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Lusheng is a multi-reed wind instrument that is deeply loved by the Miao people. It is not only used for folk entertainment, but also a sacred instrument with the same reputation as wooden drums and bronze drums. People believe that Lusheng can bring good weather and good harvests, and can also communicate with gods and ancestors. The history of Lusheng is long, and it is recorded in classics such as "Chu Ci", "New Book of Tang", and "Qian Book". In Xinguang Village, Zhouxi Town, Kaili City, Guizhou Province, there are 128 Miao residents with the surname Pan, and there are still 38 Lusheng craftsmen today. According to the existing genealogy records in Xinguang, this branch of people has settled in Xinguang for 19 generations, which should be more than 500 years. Craftsmen have been making Lushengs for generations, using simple tools, locally produced bamboo and wood, and purchased bronze to make Lushengs with beautiful shapes and excellent sound quality. Xinguang is a well-known "Lusheng Village" and the only place in China that makes extra-large Lushengs that can be played by hand. It was named "Hometown of Lusheng Making Art" by the Guizhou Provincial Department of Culture. The traditional Miao Lusheng made by Kaili Xinguang is a six-pipe Lusheng that follows the traditional Chinese pentatonic scale. The pitch of the sound of the bell is determined by the unique sound discrimination ability of the craftsmen. Their handmade work can make all the main Lushengs have the same pitch; each group of 57 Lushengs ensembles also conforms to the principles of harmony. The tricks and skills of the Xinguang Miao Lusheng making craftsmanship are passed down from father to son, from son to grandson, and from generation to generation. Learners can only rely on their own understanding and feeling in practice, constantly accumulate experience, and gradually experience. With their smart minds and dexterous hands, the Lushengs they make are not only musical instruments, but also exquisite handicrafts.

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