Instrument: Sheng

Get to know the Chinese sheng, an instrument whose name invokes peace, harmony and balance between humans, nature and the universe. The sheng has a history stretching back many centuries, and is the ancestor of all free-reed instruments (such as the accordion, and the free-reed stops on the organ). It also inspires today’s composers, from China and around the world. Virtuoso sheng player Wu Wei demonstrates the versatility of his instrument, and how to prepare and tune it (including where to pour the hot water in!).
Discover the rest of our videos on the woodwind section in our playlist: • Woodwind Instruments (...
CHAPTERS
00:05 - Introducing the sheng
00:39 - Parts of the sheng
03:14 - Mounting the reed (part I)
06:33 - Meaning of sheng
07:56 - Chinese music
13:03 - Mounting the reed (part II)
13:41 - Tuning
16:10 - Production of sound
17:49 - Hot water
19:18 - Different sizes
20:07 - Learning the sheng
The Philharmonia is a world-class symphony orchestra, led by Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali.
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[@jamieknoll4286]

Never complaining about having to tune a string instrument again

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Word.

[@oldleatherstocking3185]

Yep.

[@kishascape]

I'll stick with Harmonica.

[@bluroses872]

This series continues to be one of my favorite on the Internet.

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Thank you for the wonderful feedback!

[@gavynhohon2818]

Never seen anyone light a match that way, and the way his eyes lit up when he got the match to catch fire made my day.

[@sitarnut]

Wu Wei's breath control, technical prowess, ability to explain and his loving compassion is off the charts. I'd seen this instrument in many Chinese orchestras and heard it on my LP's. To understand it better is such a boon. At various times It sounds exactly like our Church organ. Kudos!

[@ivyssauro123]

Holy ****, the Harmony on the 'Elegant' music blew me away, I was not expecting that from a 6th century piece of music, anywhere in the world!

[@differentialequation9471]

Ivo Wilson I find it is kind of similar to the harmony in the Japanese “Gagaku”.

[@user-nr7rs3mq3m]

@@differentialequation9471 Originally the Gagaku("雅楽" in Japanese) was imported into Japan from China during the Tang Dynasty (618ac-907ac) through Korea, the original form is written as "雅樂" in Chinese but with a totally different pronunciation "Yayue". But unfortunately we Chinese haven't conserved this ancient art, but it is the Japanese who conserved it until modern days and they have developed it with Japanese style. And the Sheng they use in Gagaku（pronounced in Japanese as "Sho") is exactly the original form of Sheng back in the days without almost any changes.

[@iopvixens]

Father of the western free reed instruments.

[@walidamin1804]

The mixture of Chinese and German accents is amazing

[@Weeping-Angel]

He doesn’t have a German accent though

[@mediagirl]

@@Weeping-Angel He so very much has that (I'm native German) he used some German words which are quite similar to english and he has SUCH a strong German accent in speaking English that after a few minutes I was so distracted from the video that I had to look him up and by now he has lived longer in Germany than in China.

[@marcusewell582]

This is the most ambitious crossover event in history Organ x Oboe but kinda has a brass mouthpiece

[@marcusewell582]

B

[@muchanadziko6378]

it's the progenitor of the mouth harmonica, so it's reed and not brass really

[@jeanszulc]

I had the immense pleasure of watching Wu Wei play the Sheng here in Brazil. It was literally one of the best performances I have ever seen. I'm glad I found this video, it is really inspiring to see him talking.

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Wonderful! We're so glad you found us! We loved working with Wu Wei.

[@boriswilsoncreations]

I'm from Brazil as well :]

[@WiccanGoddess33]

What a magical gentleman. His voice is so beautiful and soothing. He had me completely entranced with his explanation of this incredible instrument. I'm in awe. Such respect for traditions and hand-made things.

[@seoultrip25]

So... its like a blues harmonica, but more in a dark tower of mordor kinda way. Sign me up.

[@zacharycoronado6749]

The adoption of western style mechanisms into Chinese instruments has always interested me. Boehm system dizi, for example. That keywork is really cool!

[@gabrielafranco9236]

0:13 is my favorite Chinese sound

[@TheAardar]

It looks like he's playing the empire state building

[@josequins9099]

Incredible video. I love that he showed the inside workings of the sheng and explained how the name is written. It has such a lovely sound. Wu Wei's playing is exceptional. Bravo

[@RobertSlover]

when you have to be a part time alchemist to tune your instrument you know your badass!

[@dradio555]

:) :) Can't stop laughing!

[@garysscaryfaeries3046]

If you paired a Sheng with a violin 🎻 you could produce some great Irish jigs and reels. What an amazing instrument, thank you for sharing.

[@carlcarlton328]

This might be to bold but, *ASIAN BAGPIPES*

[@noahlawson8256]

More like a bellowless asian accordion

[@Ivytheherbert]

Chinese melodica

[@scottscott232]

Philharmonia Orchestra - I'm absolutely blown away by the variety of instruments that you showcase. The knowledge of your musicians is exceptional. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Wu Wei's technical analysis of the Sheng, the meaning behind the word Sheng, his mounting of the reed and tuning, and examples of music. What a beautiful sounding instrument. Thank you once again.

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Thank you for spending time on the channel!

[@occamsbutterknife9186]

It's the instrument you have to record, then play backwards to hear it played forwards.

[@alexsteb]

I bet he first learned German. "Bambus", "Oktave", "Universum" etc.

[@terencesakamoto4416]

Definitely. I heard “existiert,” hard proof.

[@guneskoc]

"Methode"

[@heikopanzlaff3789]

Messing instead of brass ...

[@GlebPoltorak]

scharf C :)

[@EchoHeo]

apparetnly he lives in germany

[@kotakitteh]

Are you telling me this guy is tuning his instrument with Cinnabar....like...for real. Holy heck. Chinese alchemy at its finest. Amazing video and dedication of the artist. Beautiful instrument.

[@theoboueid6450]

Absolutely soul crushing beauty at 11:12. What an instrument. What a sound.

[@notreallymyname3736]

I recognize the sound of this instrument, but never imagined that this is what it actually looked like! This is extremely interesting

[@Erinnmnn]

I love these videos of lesser known instruments. I'd love to see one about the aulos and other predecessors to modern double reeds.

[@quinnparker6111]

Doctor van Nostrand, I presume? You sicken me.

[@MenelionFR]

Thank you so much! Please continue the series on traditional instruments, if it's possible. And, though it might sound too solemn, I'm absolutely sure we must know each other's cultures, we live on the same planet! Chinese culture is great, and European culture is great, too. I was really glad to see many tourists from China when I visited Paris two years ago, and I'll visit China as soon as I have such an opportunity. Thank you mister Wu Wei, you're great!

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Thank you for this lovely note. We agree - getting to know each other's cultures is exciting and eye-opening. We can learn a lot from cultures different to our own and music is a great way to open doors.

[@roku_nine]

17:21 wowwwwww, very beautiful sound! the potential for creativity is massive! 😮

[@calliewarner9363]

Wu Wei, I am taken back to our time at Civitella Ranieri. So great to watch you here and listen to your beautiful music. I trust you are well! Thank you!!!

[@SharkDawg32]

Made my brain tingle.👽

[@salomeherreradiaz6633]

What a sweet music!!! Thank you Philarmonia and thank you Wu Wei.❤🎵

[@luborkloda8903]

14:27 this material is very dangerous, if you eat it you die .... 14:52 he puts it in the mouth. Now I understand what "devotion to art" means.

[@BaroqueHarmonie]

hahahahah i tought the same

[@TheAlps36]

Cinnabar will give you mercury poisoning

[@michaelpobr]

I've never even heard of this. I've learned so much!

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Great to hear! Thanks so much for spending time on our channel.

[@gastlygem]

I'm Chinese and I know the instrument but this is the first time I see the inside!

[@shoutykat]

This was an amazing introduction to the instrument! I had no idea it had contributed so much to Western music - not just the reed type but I heard several things that immediately reminded me of Western music that I've heard and I'm sure some of them were directly influenced by this. It also gave me a very quick but informing perspective on Chinese music, especially contrasting southern and northern music. I'm so pleased I stumbled across this!

[@dameinoferrall2400]

incredible instrument and even more incredible musician.

[@S1lvers0x]

I love Sheng music it strikes something deep inside my psyche.

[@RoninAvenger]

Ancestor of the harmonica

[@jackreddick]

Incredible!!!

[@ksmith9996]

向大师致敬！

[@camjammin]

Amazing instrument, thanks for showing us about it and demonstrating it.

[@nialltownley1788]

I could listen to him all day

[@zitakreuzdenker2096]

What an artist!

[@randahlahamanandacrawford6421]

Thank you Wu Wei. Excellent presentation!

[@QiujiangLeviLu]

Hold a second, at 11:00 he said he’s gonna play some old music, which is from the 6th century. So THE HARMONY WAS THAT MUCH COMPLICATED BACK THEN?????!!!!!!

[@curvingfyre6810]

The neanderthals had fairly sophisticated flutes. Complex instruments have been around literally longer than our species. Thats a long time to get the melodies as sophisticated as the instruments. I recommend you try taking a soujourn into the realm of early music. Every culture has major hidden gems from the renaissance and earlier.

[@juliancillopillo]

He actually played kind of a Chōshi 調子 melody from the Gagaku repertoire of the Shō. I think is in the Banshikichō mode... 盤渉調.

[@phantasmagora6542]

Much of what we consider to be "traditional Chinese music" is actually from the Qing Dynasty onward, where harmony had been simplified to at most 2-3 notes at a time. During the Tang era, harmony was much more complex and could feature 4, 5, or 6 notes at a time. Yanyue, the music of the Tang court, was pretty harmonically complex and is certainly much more than the pentatonic scales stereotypically associated with Chinese music. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXaQXoWEpMycia8 But harmony in East Asian music didn't work the same way it does in Western classical music. A multiphonic instrument like the sheng served to "freeze" melodies i.e. like a pad or a drone rather than progress in terms of tonic, dominant, etc. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmSbpn6HoNSaZqs There's actually a movement among Chinese conservatories to research and reconstruct Chinese-style harmony. Ironically, a lot of Tang-era music migrated to Japan, which preserved much of this lost knowledge in the form of gagaku, which a lot of Chinese musicologists reference in turn to reconstruct their own music. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3aad6WIf6-MeqM medium.com/fairbank-center/re-harmonizing-china-dissonant-tone-clusters-a-consonant-nation-ff3c6e3606ad

[@Goriaas]

Up until the industrialisation, China was ahead of the West in most things

[@omarose7504]

Thank you! This is the information I have been looking for. I am so happy to know more about this instrument from such an expert. Grateful to him.

[@xarior1633]

It makes me think of drums which is my instrument, the importance of the history all the rythms made and the path you have to choose in your practice... Even if obviously Sheng is a "pocket" organ and drums a "pocket" percussion ensemble, they share the same philosophy coming from centuries and evolved a lot through this. Original sheng didn't have holes or keys as drums didn't have a bass drum pedal before the retraet of napolean troops from America From my opinion it's important to know the history behind the instrument you play to be passionate of it and create! What a great job you've done on this video passion mixed with history and practice. That's what create inspiration!

[@joemcnicholas1165]

this is one of my favourite orchestras ever! i hope i can play the oboe or cello in it when i am older!!!

[@nightlife9907]

why wait?

[@lawabidingcitizen5153]

Why not now?

[@jjrdias]

Amazing

[@michaelfrank1048]

I love this series

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Thanks for spending time on our channel!

[@panda-goat]

This video has inspired me to learn how to play the sheng! I will be buying a soprano sheng this summer.

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Brilliant! If you liked this video, please do subscribe to our channel to get more of these films sent to you as soon as they are released.

[@VynxeVainglory]

My mind is blown by this thing.

[@davidmolloy126]

Truly fascinating, thanks very much.🎶🌞

[@saviogaikwad6869]

Priceless education..

[@juanfeliperojas5754]

This instrument is amazing

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

We think so, too!

[@kentosalazar]

so glad there's subtitles because this is epic information

[@user-kz9sg2cx6]

Incredible instrument. More colourful than many others.

[@shannonluster5083]

It is like magic

[@jean-lucbouchard4767]

What an incredibly beautiful and unique instrument! Great video, thanks for showing the reed process.

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Thank you! Yes - that reed process is pretty amazing.

[@totoledao]

Awesome video!!

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

If you enjoyed this video, check out the other film Wu Wei did with us and find out more about how he got his start in music, along with some more music. Wu Wei in conversation with Philharmonia Orchestra double bassist Michael Fuller: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6XIpIKIdqeSp9k

[@shaft9000]

Wonderful! Looks like something you'd see at Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings book 1. So many Hong-Kong cinema film-soundtracks use this instrument, but I could never pin down what it was. Now I can picture it every time I hear it :)

[@raybohn5753]

Thank you for the insightful and musical video.

[@calebjackson5678]

This is so cool!!!

[@kazhilly]

Fascinating, very interesting.

[@jstov]

Very cool, unique instrument.

[@danielm17]

This is an amazing instrument I wonder how its implemented into rhe full orchestra becauase it seems like more of a solo instrument

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

We have a great concert coming up with Wu Wei on 5 April at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London where you can hear just that! www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/2160/music_of_today_wu_wei_artist_portrait (If you're not London-based, Wu Wei does a lot of touring: wuwei-music.com/en_US/)

[@natheniel]

You are right, there are no orchestral tradition in traditional Chinese Music. Only sometimes ensembles sextet or septets. In the modern invention-the Chinese Orchestra, it serves as more or less like the woodwind and brass instrument, filling up chords and playing fast chromatic passages as Sheng is the only wind instrument that can play that.

[@1003willy]

the modern chinese orchestra has several types of sheng to cover all ranges, there is the soprano sheng, alto sheng, tenor sheng and bass sheng. the sheng is mostly used to play chords but it can sound beautiful when playing solo

[@N0stalgia01]

Such beautiful sound love china nstrument

[@josestaneck]

Bravo!!1

[@Gusrikh1]

Very interesting..

[@JanSchellink]

Thanks Wu! :-)

[@aceplayerMusic]

This is amazing guys. Thank you so much for doing this. I enjoyed every video, and it has improved my orchestration skills greatly.

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

We're glad to hear that!

[@AeroCraftAviation]

Incredible video! Also very impressive that, I presume, this guy knows both German and English as well as his native Chinese. 太棒了！

[@CommunistBearFighter]

German?

[@davidlopez-un9zp]

wow

[@thisistheglasshouse]

A really informative video on an instrument I, as well as many of my friends didn't know existed! (I was wondering what the candle was for). Can't wait for the next installment.

[@deadstockk]

7:59 Call now and we'll send you not one, but two Shengs!

[@Pasunsoprano]

Wow, the 6th century piece has clusters like in 20th century music and some romantic chords too.

[@lordbearbonez]

I’d absolutely love to play trombone in this truly amazing and inspiring ensemble in the future

[@Juraberg]

Very interesting and very well explained. Thanks a lot.

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Glad you liked it!

[@demonhunter5478]

17:21 - 17:45 favorite part

[@adriantee5219]

We have this in our school orchestra!

[@weikie]

just poppin in to check on my fly at 14:30 he doin good.

[@accipiterignitus5123]

All we should learn more traditional chinese culture

[@kukurbuki]

I like how he mixes a bit of german in his english and even some latin.

[@cmw12]

Great presentation, but could you get him to show us the mouthpiece next time and talk about the embouchure, etc? I can’t believe we went that entire video never getting a glimpse of the mouthpiece opening! Also, what does the base look like with the pipes removed? These are obvious questions that you really should have asked.

[@1003willy]

Hi... There is no special embouchure to play this instrument. All u need is to exhale and inhale into the instrument. The mouthpiece is just a hole. And the wind chest without the pipes it looks like a bowl with uniform round holes to slot in the bamboo tubes.

[@ChristianFS1]

Would have been cool to hear a rendition of the wedding march on that instrument, it certainly sounds capable of it.

[@slmhcgqu]

you even got this? thats awesome!

[@rencechannel2240]

This instrument invented in 2650 B.C.E more than 2000 years before the birth of Christ.

[@overrated_person531]

That was my bong man!!!

[@zeniktorres4320]

Very interesting. But questions remain. eg How often does it need cleaning? I wonder if the hot water, since it reduces condensation build-up, will reduce the need for cleaning regularly.

[@Aeiouuoiea777]

I saw a video from eason music-sheng, where they explain it pretty well

[@FoxyLobo]

One of the most amazing and moving things I have had the please of hearing/seeing/learning about. Anyone know what the name of the ancient piece of music is? I must find out - the complexity, beauty, and subtleties.. There are elements of what would be called jazz but predating it by well over a thousand years! AMAZING! Thank you so much.

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Hi Patrick, The piece is Hanging The Red Lantern from Shangdong province, Composer: Mo Shanping. Thanks for tuning in! Please do subscribe to our channel if you like this sort of content.

[@andyxyz01]

I believe you are referring to the 6th century music played at around 11:23. This is called 雅乐（雅樂）. It is also called Gagaku in Japanese-you can search this term on google to learn more. The Sheng is traditionally meant to represent streams of sunlight in this type of music.

[@kathryncarter6143]

That is VERY different!

[@jean-jacqueskaselorganreco6879]

its extremely interesting, thank you so much for this. Wouldnt you like to post one on facebook or here in german?you certainly speak it very well ;-)

[@micenotnice1106]

You should do the suona next

[@benavides1811]

Can I get a name for the energetic North China piece he played?

[@JonasDavidOfficial]

Is he throwing some german words in there sometimes? Great video series. Thanks.

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Good ear! Wu Wei lives in Germany, so yes, he sometimes sprinkles in some German.

[@vaughnhale7903]

Wow! I thought tuning my violin was hard.

[@henrylee8115]

多演奏点现代曲目，这样才能推广笙，

[@valeriasatiro]

Encantada por descobrir que existe órgão de boca. Você sabe dizer qual órgão veio primeiro?

[@aprepaiavivervia]

make a video about harmonica please!

[@wtfellification]

17:12

[@pedrokenzo4670]

Does anyone know what pieces he is playing? I tried looking for them online, but I could find anything... They sound amazing!

[@Lucius1958]

Fascinating! I wonder when the keywork was added to the instrument: was it a home-grown innovation, or was it copied from later European instruments?