In 14th -15th century EU, canon was popular. Later, composers started to develop non-strict canon, such as mirror canon, table canon, double canon, rhythmic canon, proportional canon, inversion canon etc.. The list keeps on going. What a fascinating world of canons!
The word canon in a contrapuntal compositional technique where a melody (the “leader”) is imitated by 1 or more voices (the “follower”) after a given duration. It’s a strict form of composition where the 2nd part mimics the 1st, sometimes at different intervals, creating a layered, interwoven sound.
#1279 Wu Fei’s Music Daily — Waitemata canon 流光卡农
I composed this 3-voice #guzheng canon. 10 days ago, I was on a ferry passing by the #Waitematā Harbor in #Auckland, New Zealand. These giant metal crane arms looked like three singers to me.
wufeimusic.substack.com/p/1279-waite...
I spent this very special night with my entire family + dear friend Abigail Washburn next to me.
Maestro Zakir Hussain had moved so many people around the world and he is missed everyday 🙏
2 years ago, I had the amazing experience to watch Indian music maestro Zakir Hussain (1951-2024) at double bassist Edgar Meyer’s Nashville studio doing a warm up performance + Béla Fleck (banjo) + Rakesh Chaurasia (bansuri - Indian bamboo flute).
“在天愿作比翼鸟，在地愿为连理枝。In heaven, we wish to be two birds flying wing to wing; on earth, two trees with branches intertwined from one root.”
This couplet comes from the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi (白居易, 772–846 CE). He wrote his most famous poem, “Song of Everlasting Sorrow” (长恨歌), in 806 CE.
On Waiheke Islabnd, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo by me on April 10, 2026
The sweet Tennessee native Great Waterleaf is blooming right now in Nashville. Photo by me on April 14, 2026
#1276 Wu Fei’s Music Daily — The five-ring love 在地愿为连理枝
wufeimusic.substack.com/p/1276-the-f...
Today’s guzheng piece is called “The Five‑Ring Love.” In Chinese culture, every 12 years is one lún (轮) — a cycle. 60 years make five lún.
Auckland 🇳🇿 ❤️
Hello, Tasman Sea!
#NewZealand
My interview on NPR:
one.npr.org/i/fis-108345...
Thank you Wpln Fm 90.3-Nashville Public Radio for sharing my story! I’m proud to call Nashville home. My deepest gratitude to all the friends who’ve welcomed me and my family to Music City 🙏
Excited to be on air with WPLN Nashville’s NPR at noon on Monday April 6th ( U.S. Central time) & re-run at 7pm!
Listen / Watch:
📻 90.3 WPLN | 🌐 wpln.org | 📺 YouTube @wpln | Instagram @thisisnashville_wpln
🔗 wpln.org/shows-and-po...
Podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/108...
Photo by Big Ears Festival at the St. John’s Cathedral on March 27, 2026. Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Photo from my solo concert at Big Ears Festival at the First Presbyterian Sanctuary, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA on March 28, 2026
Pink azalea is blooming in the first in west Nashville, Tennessee April 1, 2026
#1275 Wu Fei’s Music Daily — In the cathedral 丝弦圣殿飘
•Heading to New Zealand
wufeimusic.substack.com/p/1275-in-th...
A moment from last night’s concert at St. John’s Cathedral #BigEarsFestival of me + Shanir Blumenkranz (oud)
Today I’m playing a solo performance - Moon Hunter @ 5:45pm @ First Presbyterian Sanctuary
So incredibly fun to play with Shanir. Every time, all the time 💯 % Rehearsing with Shanir for Big Ears Festival 排练有时是比上台还尽兴😃
Getting ready to play on the radio WDVX ‘s Blue Plate Special at Barley’s Knoxville, Big Ears Festival!
Tune in: March 27 Friday 12-12:30pm (EDT)
#BigEars #guzheng #古筝
At Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, TN!
Excited to play with the magical Shanir Blumenkranz again!
March 27 at St. John’s Cathedral 5:30pm
Guzheng/vocal + oud / gimbri / double bass
The food at KoPita is delicious 😋
Big Ears Festival is sold out!
Honored to be on the bill w/ David Byrne, Laurie Anderson, John Zorn, Knoxville Symphony + my mentors/friends.
• 3/27 -5:30pm
St. John Cathedral
Wu Fei w/ Shanir Blumenkranz
• 3/28 - 5:45pm
First Presbyterian Sanctuary
Wu FeI’s Moon Hunter
I had a great time pre-recording an interview at the Nashville Public Radio WPLN 90.3 FM today. It’ll air on Apr 6 at noon (US central time) & again at 7:00 pm.
Listen / Watch:
📻 90.3 WPLN | 🌐 wpln.org | 📺 YouTube @wpln | Instagram @thisisnashville_wpln
Podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/108...
Corrections to the airing info:
This episode will air on Monday, April 6 at noon (US central time) and again at 7:00 pm. After it airs, it will also be available on our website and YouTube stream as well as through on WPLN’s podcast feed.
I apologize for the confusion 🙏
Hope this guzheng night song brings you joy—and maybe I’ll see some of you on the radio tomorrow. 🎙️🌸
Listen / Watch:
📻 90.3 WPLN | 🌐 wpln.org | 📺 YouTube @wpln | Instagram @thisisnashville_wpln
🔗 wpln.org/shows-and-po...
Podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/108...
You can tune in live at 90.3 FM, online at wpln.org, or catch the episode on their YouTube live stream channel. If you’re on social media, you can follow them on Instagram: @thisisnashville_wpln for updates.
For those of you unfamiliar with the program, This Is Nashville is a live one-hour daily show driven by community, for community. It’s become a one-stop-shop for news in Nashville and Middle Tennessee, and I’m honored to be part of the conversation this week.
Speaking of survival and new growth, I have some personal news to share. I’ll be a guest on Nashville Public Radio-WPLN 90.3 and 1430 Am at:
10am (U.S. eastern time)
11am (central)
12pm (mountain)
1pm (pacific)
this Friday, March 20, on their flagship show, This is Nashville.
3 days ago, after the tornado passed through Nashville, the temperature dropped below zero again. Our crabapple tree had just started blossoming before it hit. I was worried whether the blossoms would be blown off completely by the extreme winds. They survived!
#1273 WU FEI’s MUSIC DAILY — Guzheng night song 118 古筝夜曲第一百十八号
March 20 I’m going LIVE on NPR Studio! Tune in to WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio “This is Nashville” 90.3 FM
wufeimusic.substack.com/p/1273-guzhe...
#1270 Wu Fei’s Music Daily - Mulan of Nashville 纳什维尔的木兰
wufeimusic.substack.com/p/1270-mulan...
If y’all are coming to Big Ears Festival, I’m playing 2 concerts Fri (3/27) & Sat. All the early-bird 4-day passes are sold out. A few types are available. Links are in newsletter.
Today’s 2-track #guzheng piece is inspired by the sunset in #Nashville!
wufeimusic.substack.com/p/1268-roari...
Why are there so few women in jazz? Obviously, sexism and patriarchy have a role. But it just seems that there are far fewer women interested in playing jazz than men. The discrepancy seems much bigger than other genres. What are your thoughts?
#guzheng + #saxophone Writing+ recording with
world renowned saxophonist/ producer/ educator Jeff Coffin
(Dave Matthews Band) in #Nashville. It’s hella fun!
#guzheng
teach us at Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music.
#BalineseMusic #IndonisianMusic #Nashville #gamelan
