This multitrack prepared guzheng + spoken vocal was composed and recorded, performed by me.
A prepared instrument is a string instrument has had its sounds temporarily altered by placing bolts, screws, mutes, rubber erasers, and/or other objects on or between the strings. I used three metal key chain rings on D, A, G strings.
The Chinese tongue twister in the piece is: “天上一只鹅，地上一只鹅。鹅飞鹅打，鹅碰鹅。A goose in the sky, a goose on the ground. A goose flies, a goose attacks. Goose bumps into goose.”
I have known the poem since I was a kid. The way 鹅 é (goose) is spoken has a click done by the tongue, which is very similar to a few African languages like the Khoisan languages and the Bantu languages of Botswana and Namibia. I didn’t intend to feature this poem. Somehow it jumped in my head towards the end of the recording.
Hope it brings a moment of joy into your weekend!
Wu Fei 吴非
Wufeimusic.com | hellogoldmountain.com
