Bamboo flute maker Wang Jianhong

In recent years, the vigorous development of bamboo flute music in China is inseparable from the rapid changes in the bamboo flute production industry. Wang Jianhong is a famous young bamboo flute maker in the mainland, on the basis of inheriting the production tradition of his predecessors, the craft continues to keep pace with the times, determined to explore and innovate, highlighting the spirit of young craftsmen, the bamboo flute produced by him has many innovations in the process, and is one of the first choices for many bamboo flute players, educators and bamboo flute lovers at home and abroad.

The development of Chinese national instrumental music is inseparable from the progress of the musical instrument manufacturing industry. In recent years, the Chinese bamboo flute music art has entered a new stage in terms of the form and quantity of music creation, the content of expression, the performance technology, the mutual influence of Chinese and foreign music aesthetic tastes, and the exchange and absorption of references, which is inseparable from the many changes in the bamboo flute production industry. Attaching importance to the bamboo flute production process, publicizing the excellent makers of bamboo flute technology, and encouraging more people to participate in this industry is an important part of promoting the development of bamboo flute music art.

At present, the research on bamboo flute production is to introduce bamboo flute makers, focusing on the growth history and production process of bamboo flute makers, such as the articles of Zhou Linsheng and Meng Jianjun. The second is the theoretical study of the bamboo flute making process. For example, Zhao Songting's "Frequency Calculation and Application of the Transverse Flute", Wang Xiaojun's "Re-discussion of the Timbre of the Chinese Bamboo Flute", Zhou Linsheng's "My Opinion on the Inner Diameter of the Bamboo Flute", Chang Zheng's "Development and Improvement of Modern Chinese Bamboo Flute Production", etc. These studies put forward new suggestions for improvement in terms of increasing the vocal range, improving the timbre quality, tuning adjustment, inner diameter design, punching position, material screening, roasting bamboo, and correcting bamboo. The joint practice of many bamboo flute makers, such as Zhou Linsheng, Ying Mingzhang, Dong Xuehua, Wang Jianhong, Huang Weidong, Li Dehua and other generations, has produced a variety of new bamboo flutes that are different from traditional flutes, so that China's bamboo flute making process has entered a new era of change. Nowadays, not much attention is paid to bamboo flute makers, especially young ones. Contemporary young bamboo flute makers are a group of highly educated, with a good level of performance and flute making skills of comprehensive talents, they inherit the excellent achievements of their predecessors, strive to improve the level of cultural theory and bamboo flute performance, adhere to the scientific production process, strict standardized operation requirements, set the strengths of the family and the courage to explore and innovate and other aspects of unremitting pursuit, promote the Chinese bamboo flute production process to an unprecedented height, become a model for contemporary young people to strive for the realization of the Chinese dream, worthy of attention.

Wang Jianhong is a representative of first-class craftsmen in the field of bamboo flute production in China in recent years. At present, professional performers and amateurs at home and abroad use famous flutes such as Dong Xuehua, Huang Weidong, Wang Yiliang, Li Dehua, Wang Xiaogang, Wang Jianhong, etc., and "Wang Jianhong flute" has the highest usage rate. Zhang Weiliang, Tang Junqiao, Ma Di, Qu Xiang, Yi Jiayi, Rong Zheng, Wang Junkan, Fan Linfeng, Chen Yunying, Ding Xiaokui and other performers on the stage to show the bamboo flute music and artistic style, all using "Wang Jianhong flute".

Due to many reasons such as the rhythm and materials of the bamboo flute itself and the scientific and systematic development history of Chinese bamboo flute production, compared with Western wind instruments, the pitch, timbre unity and smooth air flow of Chinese bamboo flute have always been the three major difficulties that plague the progress of bamboo flute production technology. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, Zhou Youlai, Xu Liusi, Chen Jianping, Chang Guoming, Wang Yiliang, Zhou Linsheng, Zhao Jingguo, Zhao Songting, Ying Mingzhang, Huang Weidong, Dong Xuehua, Wang Jianhong and other producers have studied and explored the three major difficulties, and have achieved certain results after countless experiments. Among them, Zhou Linsheng's research and experimental results are a phased victory to solve this problem in the 90s of the 20th century, he has formed a set of production requirements with theoretical data in terms of hole spacing, pipe length, inner diameter, tail, etc., and has been affirmed by Zhao Songting, Lu Chunling, Yu Xunfa, Jian Guangyi and other bamboo flute music masters. It is precisely because of this that Zhou Lin became a famous teacher who was active in the bamboo flute making industry in the late 20th and early 21st centuries (Zhao Songting, Jian Guangyiyu). Today's first-class bamboo flute makers such as Huang Weidong, Dong Xuehua, Li Dehua, Wang Xiaogang, Wang Jianhong, etc., are all apprentices of Zhou Linsheng.

1. Wang Jianhong's flute-making process innovation and characteristics

Wang Jianhong, a young bamboo flute maker, has been among the leaders in the national bamboo flute production process in just over a decade for the following reasons.

First, being a person first is the foundation of career success. Wang Jianhong's family is poor, and his sister gave up her studies and gave her tuition to her younger brother for Wang Jianhong's study. Wang Jianhong went to school with tears in his eyes, and made up his mind that he must study hard, and he must repay his parents and sister for their hard work with real talents, and establish a grateful character. Until today, Wang Jianhong has made certain achievements in the field of bamboo flute making, and he is often grateful, he not only gratitates his family with practical actions, but also to all those who have helped him, such as Xing Wanli, Liu Huaiqi, Ma Di, Tang Junqiao, Zhou Linsheng teacher, Wang Xiaogang and so on have never forgotten. Wang Jianhong understands that in order to achieve the expected goals at each stage, it is necessary to study diligently, persevere, and persevere. This learning character of his also continues to his bamboo flute making career. When he first entered the industry, Wang Jianhong conscientiously studied every process of the predecessors, and inherited the excellent achievements of his predecessors through practical operation, always asking for advice, exploring the principle, writing learning experience, etc., and firmly believed that "not afraid of a low starting point, afraid of working hard", as long as you work hard, you will definitely achieve your goals. Wang Jianhong has a deep love for the work he does. For example, when Wang Jianhong learned the "roasting bamboo" process in flute making, his hands were burned countless times, and he practiced the skill of "arm resistance to high temperature", which fully reflected his "love" for work.

Second, inheriting tradition is the basic source of flute making. Wang Jianhong understands that inheriting the fine traditions of his predecessors is the first element and an important foundation for taking root in the industry. He first worshiped the bamboo flute maker Zhou Linsheng as his teacher, inherited the fine style of his predecessors, and consulted Wang Xiaogang, Huang Weidong, Dong Xuehua and other senior brothers from time to time, and strived to gather the strengths of the family. Secondly, he insisted on learning bamboo flute performance from Ma Di, Tang Junqiao and other performers, with the purpose of understanding the "mystery" of the flute from the perspective of the performers, and deeply perceiving the requirements of these performers for the production of bamboo flutes, and gradually understanding and mastering how to improve the "sound field" range of different timbres, and gradually understanding that bamboo, sound quality, and pitch are the three elements to measure the grade of bamboo flute. At the same time, he is well aware that in order to improve the traditional craft, cultural heritage and professional theoretical level are indispensable knowledge structures, so he worked hard to study and study "Xun Xun Di Law Research" (Wang Zichu), "Law Studies" (Miao Tianrui), "Acoustic Foundation" (Du Gonghuan), "Transverse Flute Frequency Calculation and Application" (Zhao Songting), "Guan Law Discrimination" (Yang Yinliu), "Talking about the Production and Maintenance of the Flute" (Zhou Linsheng), "The History of Chinese Flute" (Lin Keren) and other works. He had the courage to learn and absorb the advanced technology of foreign wind music production, purchased bagpipes, Indian flutes, South American flutes, various Western woodwind instruments, etc., and devoted himself to studying the similarities and differences between these instruments and many Chinese wind instruments in terms of structure, inner diameter changes, air flow, materials, vibration, etc., and created many new techniques different from traditional production through many practices. He studied shakuhachi production under the tutelage of Taiwanese shakuhachi maker Tsai Hongwen, absorbed its production advantages, and invented the change of the diameter and arrangement distance of the finger holes of the Chinese flute according to the principle of ergonomics, which solved the problem of "contradiction between pitch and comfort" that had not been completed for several generations, and contributed to the symphonic development of Chinese bamboo flute music art.

Third, we believe that details determine success or failure. Wang Jianhong's pursuit of "zero defects" in every process is an important factor in the success of his works. For example, in the process of "cutting bamboo in the bamboo field", he strictly implements the requirements of "less than half of the sunlight", "high density" and "growing on steep slopes". In the link of "drying bamboo in the warehouse", through the "cross storage method" (pioneered by Wang Jianhong), the gap distance between bamboo and bamboo must be accurate. After visiting the bamboo storage warehouses of many bamboo flute makers, we found that Wang Jianhong's bamboo drying warehouse is one of the cleanest, neat and most beautiful warehouses.

Fourth, innovation has a future. Wang Jianhong has his own understanding of "advancing with the times", which is mainly reflected in two aspects. The first is to carry out in-depth excavation of the original working procedures, such as increasing the number of cooking in the "finishing" process to further reduce the sugar and moisture in the bamboo, thereby improving the insect and mildew prevention effect of the bamboo flute, and at the same time, enhancing the density of the bamboo flute, and raising the long-term preservation of the bamboo flute to a new height. The second is to re-evaluate the original process and all aspects of the content, and carry out scientific reform. For example, in the process of roasting bamboo, Wang Jianhong abandoned the traditional "charcoal oven baking method" and adopted the "digital electric furnace baking method", which is not only easy to operate, saves time and reduces environmental pollution, but also accurately controls the "moisture in the bamboo". In the important process of bamboo flute production - "punching process", Wang Jianhong learned from the "manual lifting line" punching method taught by Master Zhou Linsheng and the "ruler punching method" taught by Mr. Ying Mingzhang, and created the "computer numerical control punching method" after repeated practice and re-understanding, which greatly improved the accurate distance between the bamboo flute blowing hole, membrane hole, finger hole, base sound hole and sound aid hole. In the tuning process, he invented the tuning method of "reducing the finger hole" and "moving the position of the finger hole", and won two national intellectual property patents. The above achievements not only facilitate the dexterity of the players' fingers, but also take a big step forward in solving the long-standing problem of pitch in the production of Chinese bamboo flutes, which can be described as one of the important contents of the current revolution in the production of bamboo flutes in China.

Fifth, strengthen service, highlight personality, and achieve brand. Wang Jianhong found that the outstanding advantages of domestic and foreign brand-name products are that each brand has its own personality and highlights. Wang Jianhong then seriously thought about how to create product personality and highlights. For example, the body of the flute is painted, and the dignified and calm black, red, and brown colors that the predecessors did not have in the flute making were used; The mouthpiece is shortened to improve the weight balance and playing comfort of the flute; The headpiece is engraved with commissioned works by calligraphers and painters, indirectly disseminating traditional Chinese culture - poetry, calligraphy and painting. Wang Jianhong attaches great importance to the important link of after-sales service. Although the scale of the enterprise is small, he has set up an independent "sales and service department". The first is to patiently answer the questions raised by consumers and users, listen carefully to consumers' opinions on product improvement, and the second is to repair the bamboo cracks and other faults in the use of the flute in a timely manner. This fully reflects Wang Jianhong's pursuit of excellent brand products.

Second, Wang Jianhong's evaluation and achievements of flute-making technology

It is precisely because of the above highlights of Wang Jianhong's bamboo flute making process that performers and educators who are active in the bamboo flute music stage today use more and more "Wang Jianhong flute", and give a good evaluation to the bamboo flute he makes. Qu Xiang, an older generation flute player, said with emotion after using "Wang Jianhong's flute", "I no longer have to use a knife to repair the flute hole and inner chamber." Tang Junqiao, a professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, who used "Wang Jianhong's flute" for the first time, is most satisfied with the sound field, pitch accuracy and organic combination and unity of the high, middle and low registers of his bamboo flute. Zhang Weiliang, a professor at the China Conservatory of Music, discussed with Wang Jianhong "how to keep up with the development of the music era in China", and summarized through practice that "Wang Jianhong's flute making" has a number of production advantages that are different from those of his predecessors, and believes that Wang Jianhong is good at thinking, theoretical learning (especially acoustics and law), pursuing scientific basis, improving the level of bamboo flute performance, and thinking about bamboo flute production from the perspective of a performer. Wang Jianhong's art and life mentor Ma Di commented: "Jianhong's bamboo flute production has risen to the level of Western woodwind instruments, and the pitch is one of the best varieties of bamboo flute products at present. Famous domestic flute players such as Jiang Guoji, Yi Jiayi, Hao Yijun, Geng Tao, Chen Dong, Jiang Ning (female), Wang Junkan, Chen Yunying, Fan Linfeng, Ding Xiaokui, etc., all spoke highly of "Wang Jianhong's flute" when interviewed by us, and their common perception is that "the pitch requirements of monophonic, interval, and overtone have risen to a new height." The timbre is beautiful and comfortable, the sound area is unified, the sensitivity is high, the craftsmanship is exquisite, and the durability is durable". Zhou Linsheng's evaluation of Wang Jianhong's beloved disciple is that "Jianhong has a high level of education and good performance ability, superb flute-making skills, is humble and studious, and often asks for advice from his predecessors in the flute world." From the past "small workshop" style of "musical instrument production", to a generation of young flute makers led by Wang Jianhong, they began to start from the idea of "musical instrument manufacturing", set up their own team to develop new products, dare to innovate, and believe that the Chinese bamboo flute music art will go to the world (the day) will be closer and closer." In 2015, in China's first international flute making competition held by a jury composed of many bamboo flute making masters, performers and theorists, "Wang Jianhong Flute" won two gold medals and two silver awards. In the same year, Wang Jianhong was awarded the title of "National Top Ten National Musical Instrument Makers" and was the only selected bamboo flute maker.

If you want to do a good job, you must first sharpen your tools. Attaching importance to the production process of national musical instruments and bamboo flutes is a content that cannot be ignored to promote the development of national instrumental music and bamboo flute music art. Although in recent years, Wang Jianhong, Huang Weidong, Dong Xuehua and other bamboo flute makers have brought about a revolution in China's bamboo flute manufacturing industry and achieved gratifying results, but compared with the development of piano, electronic organ, violin, guzheng and other manufacturing industries, there is still a certain gap. For example, how to integrate the small workshop-type enterprises with their respective advantages and characteristics into a whole, and combine them into medium and large enterprises with overall advantages and characteristics of the times; How to form a scientific research team of scientific and technological talents in materials science, vocal music, mechanics, and law, and conduct scientific research on the problems that still exist in the manufacture of bamboo flutes, such as pitch changes, timbre variations, and bamboo cracks under different temperatures and humidity, so as to reach the production level of woodwind instruments such as flutes; How to apply the automation, digitalization, science and technology, and environmental protection system in the current economic manufacturing industry to the bamboo flute manufacturing industry, as well as fully reflect the practice, feedback, and participation of performers, are all problems that need to be solved in China's bamboo flute manufacturing process in the future. We sincerely hope that the Chinese bamboo flute manufacturing process and the Chinese national musical instrument manufacturing technology can become a household name, so that the excellent national music of the motherland can be spread and inherited to all parts of the world, build a harmonious cultural community with a shared future for mankind, and make due contributions to the economic and cultural prosperity of the motherland and the world; I also sincerely hope that more aspiring young people like Wang Jianhong will continue to carry forward the traditional production process of mainland national musical instruments and carry forward the quintessence of the country through arduous exploration and unremitting efforts.

Bibliography:

[1] Zhou Linsheng. Musical Instruments,1983(3):12-14;Meng Jianjun.Watching the Purple Bamboo Forest in the Heart-Visiting the Bamboo Flute Maker Chu Jinglin[J].Musical Instruments,2007(7):11-13;Meng Jianjun.Dong Xuehua, Chairman of the Cooperative Reproducing Tongling Bridge-Visiting Tongling Bridge Tongyin Bamboo Flute Cooperative[J].Musical Instruments,2015(3):26-29.

Musical Instrument Science and Technology Newsletter,1973(5):28-42;Wang Xiaojun.中国竹笛音音回計[J].Journal of Nanjing University of the Arts(Music and Performance Edition),2004(2):32-35;Zhou Linsheng.竹笛内道之我見[J].Musical Instruments,1988(12):5-6;常正.Modern Chinese Bamboo Flute Production Development and Improvement[J].People's Music,2014(10):38-40.

About the Author:

Pan Yonggang (1989a), a native of Weifang City, Shandong Province, is a lecturer at the School of Music of Shandong University of Technology, with research interests in bamboo flute performance and teaching.

Zhang Ping (b. 1959), a native of Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, is a professor and master's supervisor at the School of Arts of Shandong University (Weihai), with research interests in Chinese music history and traditional music.