Q&A With Guzheng Player Guo | Inspiring Artists
- Swan Lake Lifestyle
- Mar 1, 2023
- 3 min read
Learning about the arts extends beyond ballet and classical music, as it is important to delve into worldly cultures to see what artforms inspire people from all over the globe! Our Q&A article today is with Guo, who plays a traditional Chinese instrument called the Guzheng. This is a fretless plucked zither with around 21-26 strings. The Guzheng is a beautiful and old instrument, which can emote so many different expressions. Guo also has a background in a variety of instruments, such as piano and even trombone. Keep scrolling to learn about this inspiring musician's story, music tips, and more.
About Guo
Q: Please introduce yourself!
A: Hey I’m Guo (like “Gua”camole). I’m currently a medical student and a UF Engineering alum. I’m an avid foodie, musician, and volleyball enthusiast. When I’m not studying the brachial plexus, playing musical instruments is one of my cathartic escapes.
Q: What is your music background and current involvement in music?
A: I started playing piano at 4, which helped me learn how to read both treble and bass clef. I found a love for violin and was a member of several orchestras all the way into undergrad. The violin is a sociable and portable instrument, so it was easy to bring with me to medical school and join in with my peers in jam sessions. I also played the trombone in middle and high school, in which I dabbled into jazz band. Lastly, I learned Guzheng in China. It’s a stunning, graceful instrument that can induce peaceful meditation or even evoke powerful thundering ballads. I have been performing Guzheng at cultural festivals and local talent shows to generate appreciation for Chinese culture. During these tumultuous times of Covid-19, it resonated with me that music breaks down barriers and connects us cross culturally.
Q: How does playing the Guzheng connect you to your heritage?
A: The Guzheng is an old instrument that has been prevalent all throughout Chinese history. The songs played on it are widely known cross-generationally, from grandparents to grandchildren. Chinese culture heavily emphasizes these close family bonds. My extended family still live in China and I have not been able to see them in years because of Covid-19. Although my Mandarin is conversationally fluent, I feel that playing Guzheng helps me better connect with my extended family. I used to put on musical performances for my family and it brought us together. We still try to maintain that semblance of unity online and playing Guzheng for them helps.
Q: Do you have a favorite Guzheng piece?
A: My favorite Guzheng piece is called “Yu Zhou Chang Wan” which translates to Fisherman’s Song at Dusk.
Music Advice & Inspiration
Q: What advice do you have for musicians interested in playing traditional Chinese music?
A: Traditional Chinese instruments are difficult to source in America. I would try to join a local Chinese cultural organization. They might have a music group that performs traditional instruments and might be willing to offer lessons.
Q: What is the best advice a music teacher has given you?
A: My violin teacher told me to overshoot the intonation when I fell flat to break that habit. It’s better to be aware of my tendencies and actively work on adjustment rather than falling into the same patterns.
Q: What was an obstacle you faced in your music career, and how did you overcome it?
A: I faced challenges when deciding what I wanted to pursue music as a career versus a hobby. I didn’t know anybody in the industry so the stakes were against me. Ultimately, I decided to incorporate music into other aspects of my education through interdisciplinary research in music, engineering, and medicine. It’s exciting to put something into the world that feels uniquely me.
Q: What is the best experience music has brought you?
A: I was on a dinner boat that circled the Eiffel Tower in Paris with my family and a close family friend. They had a string quartet performing on the ship. I felt so fortunate to be able to experience the delicious food and beautiful music. I went up to the quarter during their break to compliment their performances. After mentioning I was a violinist myself, one of the performers handed me their violin to give it a shot. I ended up performing Thaïs Meditation in front of the entire dinner boat. It was a surreal, serendipitous experience and I reminisce about it often.
Q: How does music empower you?
A: The technique and dedication it took to learn musical instruments built my confidence in my capabilities. I approach my medical education with that same discipline. I also have grown comfortable in the spotlight from performances. It eases the anxiety of giving presentations. Music weaves itself into almost every facet of my life and I feel prepared to tackle challenges thanks to my musical background.
A very special thank you to Guo for participating in this interview to inspire others! You can follow her on Instagram at: Instagram.com/guovocado
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