Wu Fei's Music Daily

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, I am excited to share this superpower solo guzheng improvisation I recorded today, and my new concert tour dates for 2026–2027. There are still more concerts being confirmed. Please stay tuned here or on my website https://www.wufeimusic.com/concerts for the latest updates. Can’t wait to head to your cities!2026Oct. 9 – The Freight, Berkeley, CAOct. 15 – Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PAOct. 16 – Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PAOct. 17 – World Music Institute, DROM, New York, NYOct. 18 – The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda, MDDec. 27 – The Warren Miller Performing Arts Center, Big Sky, MT2027Feb. 7 – North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, NCFeb. 22–24 – Agnes Scott College Residency, Atlanta, GAFeb. 25 – Barking Legs Theater, Chattanooga, TNMar. 5 – Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts, Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WYApr. 9–10 – Big Ears Boston, Cambridge, MAApr. 29 – Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Toronto, CanadaApr. 30 – Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Toronto, CanadaMay 21 – West Las Vegas Library (NEW), Las Vegas, NVMay 22 – West Charleston Library Lecture Hall, Las Vegas, NVMay 23 – Summerlin Library Theater, Las Vegas, NVSep. 15 – The Stone Residency at The New School, New York, NYSep. 16 – The Stone Residency at The New School, New York, NYSep. 17 – The Stone Residency at The New School, New York, NYSep. 18 – The Stone Residency at The New School, New York, NYBookings Contacts:Désirée Halac, [email protected]: +1.646.894.4021EU: +34.633.30.8484Laura Duni, Managerial [email protected]: +1.484.515.5003Tickets and details: https://www.wufeimusic.com/concerts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

I recorded a new guzheng improv thinking of Dolly Parton who passed away in Nashville. I also live in Nashville. She’s been an inspiration to me. I always dreamed of meeting her but never got the chance. I never expected to feel so heartbroken when any celebrity dies, but her passing has been really difficult. On the day I heard she died, I had to distract myself from crying all evening by helping my son with his homework. Dolly loved butterflies. She’s one now: light, free, still floating around Nashville busy working, being beautiful and brings joy to people. Wu Fei 吴非Wufeimusic.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, Today, I saw two beautiful purple passionflowers during a morning hike in West Nashville (photos above). The colors and shapes of the blossoms were breathtaking. I learned that they only bloom for one day. I must have walked by at the perfect moment. How lucky was I!The poet Chen Gongyi (1631–1700), from the late Ming Dynasty wrote:“The Western Buddha has blue-lotus eyes;The Western passionflower is born of the blue lotus.”原诗：陈恭尹《集长寿禅林咏西番莲花歌》——“西方佛有青莲眼，西番花有青莲产。”In Buddhist art and scripture, 青莲眼 (blue lotus eye) refers to the eyes of a Buddha, symbolizing divine vision that sees all truths clearly.Inspired by the flower’s beauty and its cultural tale, I improvised a guzheng solo today. I realized a couple of strings were slightly out of tune. I don’t mind it any more. I hope you don’t either. It’s quite nice to hear these imperfections in a recording nowadays. It feels real. Listening back, the music takes me right back to the experience that gave me those moments of instant clarity. Maybe I’ve gained a bit more of that divine vision. If not all truths, then at least I have gained a few more than I had this morning.Wu Fei 吴非wufeimusic.comwufeimusic.bandcamp.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, Right before I stepped into my studio today, I saw a beautiful katydid on the wall (photo above, wish I had a better camera :) I read that the rhythmic "katy-did, katy-didn't" call of the male is a summer night soundtrack, made by rubbing their wings together. This process is called stridulation. I immediately looked up what they sounded like on the internet. How fascinating are their songs! I had to make my version of their calls. Hope this three-track guzheng piece brings you a moment of fun energy!Wu Fei 吴非wufeimusic.comwufeimusic.bandcamp.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, Thank you for being patient with me this past week. I was sick, but I’ve finally recovered :) Today’s solo guzheng improvisation was inspired by the Southern Magnolia I saw in China this summer. It was the biggest magnolia flower I had ever seen (photo above) — the blossom was larger than my palm, about the same size as a lotus flower. That’s why its Chinese name is 荷花玉兰 (lotus magnolia) or 广玉兰 (wide magnolia).I wrote a poem for the flower:广玉兰，翘盼舞伴，蜂情万种，红颜绽。Southern magnolia, eagerly awaiting its dance partner — the bees, full of amorous affection — as its crimson beauty blooms.Hope this piece brings you sweet dreams tonight.Wu Fei 吴非wufeimusic.comwufeimusic.bandcamp.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, It would be amazing to play this newly composed piece at this exact spot — the 118th floor on the Shanghai Tower. The elevator was probably the fastest in the world — it took within 10 seconds to go from ground zero to this floor. I think that every musician would play something extraordinary once s/he gets here. That would be a heck of a concert! Wu Fei 吴非Wufeimusic.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, Today’s solo guzheng improvisation is for all the couples who may be going through difficult times. The Chinese title of this piece “美人虹” means “Beautiful Lady Rainbow.” It comes from a Chinese folklore documented in 《异苑》 (Yì Yuàn), a book of supernatural tales from the Southern Dynasties period, written by Liu Jingshu (刘敬叔) in the 5th century. The exact text from Yì Yuàn is:古语有之曰：古者有夫妻，荒年菜食而死，俱化成青绛，故俗呼美人虹。(Translation: An old saying goes: In ancient times, there was a couple who, during a year of famine, ate wild vegetables and died. Together, they transformed into a blue-green (or colored) rainbow. Therefore, it is commonly called “Beautiful Lady Rainbow.”)As soon as I started playing, a melody from a Mongolian folk song about white clouds and blue sky that I’ve known since I was a kid jumped into my head. The guzheng in the recording is a Jinyun (金韵) piece from Yangzhou, China.Hope it brings you peace and joy into your day.Wu Fei 吴非wufeimusic.comwufeimusic.bandcamp.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, Today’s three-track guzheng composition was recorded on all harmonics. During my visit to Yunnan, China last month, I saw many Buddhist temples. Every temple had the four heavenly kings 四大金刚 at the entrance. They are Dharma protector statues that guard the Buddhist temples. One of them holds a pipa (four-string or five-string lute, in the photo). He is my favorite guardian! Don’t judge a book by its cover. Today’s piece matches my favorite king just perfectly.Wish you all a fun weekend!Wu Fei 吴非wufeimusic.comWufeimusic.bandcamp.comWu Fei's Music Daily is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, Today is the beginning of a new week. I would like to share this new piece called Dali. It was inspired by my memory of driving with my family next to Erhai Lake in Dali City, Yunnan Province, China. Erhai 洱海 is a lake that feels like an ocean. It is situated at 1,972 meters (6,470 ft) above sea level. There is a famous folklore about the lake: a princess of the Nanzhao Kingdom married a young man who had to go fight a war. A decade later, rumors of his death reached the princess. Her tears pooled together to form the vast, crystalline waters of Erhai Lake. At last, her husband returned from battle with victory after she passed away. He swore a solemn oath to remain by her side forever. And then, he transformed into the Cangshan Mountain, which still rises next to the lake today. The mountain and the lake stand as guardians of one another. It has become a symbol of unwavering love and devotion. Wu Fei 吴非wufeimusic.comwufeimusic.bancamp.comThe guzheng in the recording is called Light Year 光年, made by Jinyun Guzheng Company 金韵古筝 in Yangzhou, China. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, Today’s guzheng composition is inspired by my visit to Yangzhou, China, last month. Every morning, I took quiet walks along Slender West Lake, absorbing the city’s elegant landscape and rich history. I felt like I was living inside a painting—every direction I turned offered another view.Yangzhou is considered the birthplace of the Grand Canal. In 486 BC, King Fuchai of the State of Wu dug the Han Gou (邗沟) near Yangzhou to transport troops and grain. This is recognized as the “first spade” of the Grand Canal, marking the start of its 2,500-year history. If you are interested in this part of the history, the Grand Canal Museum is well worth a visit. Sitting next to a cluster of lotus flowers (pictured above) reminded me of a poem called A Small Pond by Yang Wanli (1127–1206 AD, Southern Song Dynasty):“The spring’s silent outflow trickles thin and slow;The trees cast shade on the water, loving the sun’s gentle glow.A tiny lotus bud has just shown its pointed peak—A dragonfly has already landed there, as if to seek.”(Translated by Totran Nguyen)宋代诗人杨万里的七言绝句 《小池》“泉眼无声惜细流，树阴照水爱晴柔。小荷才露尖尖角，早有蜻蜓立上头。”As Yangzhou is known as the Home of Guzheng, the guzheng I played in this recording comes from the renowned Yangzhou-based manufacturer, Jinyun Guzheng Company. In the next posts, I’ll share with you about their food 😋Wu Fei 吴非Wufeimusic.comWufeimusic.bandcamp.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, How have you all been? Hope you are all having a restful and fun summer or winter!I’m back home in Nashville now after my time in China. It was an amazing trip traveling through several provinces. The absolute highlight was visiting the Jinyun 金韵乐器 Guzheng company in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province. Jinyun is one of the most prominent and respected guzheng manufacturers in the industry in China. Mr. Xiong Liqun 熊立群, the founder, gave me a personal tour of the workshops (photo above). It was my first time seeing in person how guzhengs are made—utterly fascinating! After playing several guzhengs for an entire day, I chose one called 光年 - Light Year to bring home with me. Today’s piece was recorded on my Light Year guzheng. The sound is incredible. I didn’t use any mixing or sound editing for this recording—you hear everything completely naturally. It sounds even better live. The resonance it creates is enchanting. Hope it brings a moment of peace to you.Wu Fei 吴非wufeimusic.comwufeimusic.bandcamp.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, Hope you are all having a wonderful summer (or winter)! This composition is my last one until the end of June. I will be traveling with family to China for the summer holidays. It’ll be my children’s first time returning to their birth city, Beijing, since they were a toddler and an infant when we moved to the U.S. in 2015. We are all very excited about seeing old friends, meeting new friends, visiting family members, and of course—eating all the amazing food!If you are on Substack, I will be sharing part of my trip on Substack Notes, especially short music videos that I will be making in China.Thank you so much for your patience and support again! Hope this piece brings you a moment of joy. See you in July!Wu Fei 吴非Wufeimusic.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, I just recorded this Guzheng improvisation in my Nashville studio. It’s nearly 10pm here. Sometimes night time is perfect to clear my brain and unleash the stress from the daytime. Tonight was the night. I’m a big fan of music from India, the Middle East and Central Asia, especially their string instruments and the structure of their compositions. This improvisation is very much inspired by their shared ways of phrasing and breathing—in flowing the music out in one take. It is utterly satisfying to play like this - 太过瘾了。Wu Fei 吴非Wufeimusic.omWufeimusic.bandcamp.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening,This new composition was composed and recorded today. I was inspired by the Great Spangled Fritillary resting on the Haas Halo blossom by the creek in the forest in Nashville (photo above). I paused and enjoyed the beauty of these two creatures’ intimate moment. It reminded me of this poem by Su Shi (1037–1101 AD):苏轼《蝶恋花·记得画屏初会遇》记得画屏初会遇。好梦惊回，望断高唐路。燕子双飞来又去，纱窗几度春光暮。那日绣帘相见处，低眼佯行，笑整香云缕。敛尽春山羞不语，人前深意难轻诉。 (English Translation)Remember our first encounter by the painted screen —A lovely dream, but waking cut it clean,And left me staring where the goddess once had been.Pairs of swallows come and go,Spring after spring wanes through the window screen.That day when by the embroidered drapes we met,You dropped your eyes and walked with feigned neglect,Then smiled and smoothed your fragrant hair.Your brows were knit, too shy for words to speak;In public, how could deep affection dare declare?Wu Fei 吴非Wufeimusic.comWufeimusic.bandcamp.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, I composed and recorded this three-track guzheng piece today while it was raining outside in Nashville. It was inspired by the white Haas Halo blooms wild in the west Nashville forest (photo above by me). It fascinates me that the lace-capped blooms and the white flowers are one plant. Each white “petal” is actually a sepal. They look elegant yet can stand through rain, holding droplets like tiny glass bells. I have seen a similar kind of flower in purple-pink on the Atlantic coast of the Basque Country in Spain. How amazing that these cousin plants are completely identical even though they’re separated by a vast ocean. Hope this piece brings you a moment of joy!Wu Fei 吴非Wufeimusic.comWufeimusic.bandcamp.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening,Hope you all had a restful weekend. Late spring and early summer is among my favorite times in Nashville. The bugs are not fully out yet. Wild fruits are starting to show up in the forest. I ate one wild blackberry on the hill today (photo above). It was still sour, though I loved the strong flavor that only wild fruit can give to your taste buds. It instantly woke me up from a somewhat sleepy head. The wild blackberry reminds me of a poem from the Northern Song Dynasty in China (1002-1060 CE):《舟中行自采枸杞子》宋 · 梅尧臣野岸竟多杞，小实霜且丹。系舟聊以掇，粲粲忽盈盘。助吾苦羸苶，岂必采琅玕。自异骄华人，百金求秘丸。昔闻王子乔，上帝降玉棺。English Translation“Picking Wolfberries from the Boat”by Mei Yaochen (Song Dynasty)Along the wild bank grow many wolfberry shrubs,Their small fruits, touched by frost, turn a brilliant red.I tie my boat and pause to gather them,Soon bright and gleaming, they fill my plate.They ease my weary, weakened state—Why must I seek the pearl-tree of the immortals?I am not like those who flaunt their wealth,Spending a hundred gold on secret elixirs.In ancient times, I heard of Prince Wangzi Qiao—Heaven itself, they say, sent down a jade coffin for him.”Hope this guzheng night song start your week with a joyful moment. Wu Fei 吴非wufeimuic.comwufeimusic.bandcamp.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening,This instrument is the valiha — a tube zither from Madagascar 🇲🇬I’ve never quite figured out how to hold it comfortably. As a guzheng (古筝) musician and pianist, I’m used to having my fingers free while playing.Today, I finally found a way to play the valiha without having to hold it with my hands.With the birds chirping and my neighbor cutting the lawn in the background in Nashville, I improvised this little song. Keeping my eyes closed while playing liberated my mind — my heart felt closer to my fingers, and I could truly feel the sensation between my fingertips and the thin metal strings, as well as the sound vibrations from the bamboo body against my forehead.A little background on how these valihas came to me:They are gifts from my dear friend Professor Tasha Rijke-Epstein. She teaches history at Vanderbilt University, and her main research field is Madagascar history and culture. When she found out that I’m a composer, musician, and string player, she showed me her valiha — which had been sitting in her house for many years, unplayed. I immediately started playing and making songs on it. She wanted me to have it right away. Then she brought me another one from her work trip to Madagascar.There is an author named Raharimanana Jean Luc from Madagascar (Tasha’s colleague) who has released a new book called Return (link here). Jean Luc is also a valiha master.@uklelebob1 on Substack sent me this video of a master musician from Madagascar playing three different valihas anbd singing to it. Very inspiring:Watch hereWatching this valiha musician gives me so many ideas about what’s possible — plucking techniques, patterns and styles, and new tunings. I also learned that the valiha is a cousin to the Sasando (from Indonesia); both are Austronesian bamboo tube zithers, connected across two sides of the Indian Ocean.I’ve been fascinated by the world’s string instruments, their history, and their connections. It’s such a fun way to learn history and get closer to the truth. Knowing how many beautiful things humans have invented that have helped each other through countless difficult times — it really makes me feel hopeful that we, humans, can make something beautiful that will outlast the ugliness with time. 😃I want to share my appreciation to all the paid and free subscribers! The very recent ones and the ones who’ve been with me from May 2020 when I started my first substack post! Thank YOU!!! Wu Fei 吴非wufeimusic.comwufeimusic.bandcamp.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, I just did a guzheng improvisation. I was inspired by a small hatched egg I found on my driveway a few days ago (photo above.) While I was improvising, I was wondering what happened to the chick - did the parent bird take it away to hide it? Did the chick leave on its own? Or did a predator break the egg and eat the chick? Hope this piece brings a moment of joy into your weekend!Wu Fei 吴非Wufeimusic.comWufeimusic.bandcamp.comWu Fei's Music Daily is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, This two-track prepared guzheng night song was recorded today. Last month, I played two concerts at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee in the U.S. It was my third time playing at this amazing festival. Photographer Cora Wagoner took my photos when I debuted at this festival in 2017. Her photos have remained some of my favorite moments in my solo career. I was lucky enough to have her take photos again last month, nine years later. I will share more of her beautiful work in my future posts.Prepared guzheng is an experimental technique where objects such as shells, ceramics, or tools are placed on or between the strings to alter the instrument’s timbre, creating unique, percussive, or metallic sounds. In this piece, I clipped metal keychain rings to the strings. This technique is inspired by John Cage’s prepared piano and is used to expand the instrument’s range of sounds.Hope this track brings you sweet dreams tonight.Wu Fei 吴非wufeimusic.comwufeimusic.bandcamp.comWu Fei's Music Daily is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Improvising on a mini valiha, a tube zither from Madagascar. A full size valiha is twice as long. This little one is a gift from my mother-in-law :) Playing the valiha makes me miss Africa. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, Today, I recorded a guzheng solo improvisation inspired by the wild pink azalea in the forest near my home in Nashville. They look innocently beautiful and smell incredible — but here’s the twist: the wild pink azalea is highly toxic to humans and animals, including the honey made from its flowers. This “mad honey” can cause poisoning if consumed. So, as lovely as they are, it’s only safe to admire them from a distance :)Hope this piece brings you a moment of joy!Wu Fei 吴非Wufeimusic.comWufeimusic.bandcamp.comWu Fei's Music Daily is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wufeimusic.substack.com/subscribe