Wu Man: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

[@seanhildebran8546]

look how in love she is with her instrument. She periodically stares not at her fingers but at it, she also leans her head in close as if to embrace it. Her passion towards this is absolutely lovely.

[@gabrielmcwethy3441]

She is such a legend. Wu Man introduced me to Chinese music. She's just amazing!

[@user-ob8ri7lv8j]

Tiny Desk Concert one of the best places to discover new music. Thank you all!

[@itwashimmusic]

Every note, every breath, every moment hard or implied is the telling of a story. Thank you Wu Man.

[@stephen3073]

First time I heard Wu Man's extraordinary Pipa playing was on a Water Lilly Acoustics recording, where she played duets with Martin Simpson on guitar. They had only met for the first time the same day they were recorded by Kavi Alexander. The results were mesmerizing and almost hallucinatory. Two musicians of this caliber. from entirely different musical cultures and traditions- and they were able to seamlessly meld together in a ravishing display of virtuosity, the likes of which I don't think I've seen before or since.

[@lvbandmore]

Everything about Wu Man is so great here - her playing, choice of repertoire and especially her facial and body movements which clearly convey the joy of playing and making music.

[@1Milly1]

I just love hearing her play Pipa, could probably hear it all day and still enjoy it as much!! Thank you Wu Man!!!

[@iamsheep]

Fun fact: "Ambush from All Sides", or literally "Ambush from Ten Sides" in Chinese 十面埋伏 is also the name of the Chinese name for the Zhang Yimou film "House of Flying Daggers", where this piece of music is also featured.

[@constrictor971]

she has so much respect for the instrument, you can see it in every note she plays

[@Mouldytone]

I`ve counted the number of strings many times. Only four? How come it sounds like many more? The term virtuoso comes to mind. Great performance. Thanks Wu Man, thanks NPR.

[@j.wilcox3547]

I was lucky enough to see her perform with the kronos quartet in Connecticut in 2013. Amazing.

[@xtelevisionset]

A true artist. She is one with her instrument. Compassion in it's most elegant form.

[@KevinPMiller]

i am honored to have wu man's music opening the beginning of my film GENERATION RX. She is a master.

[@blacknwhitesalright]

I keep coming back to this concert. One can hear so much in it - country blues, the Coltranes, math metal & Carnatic music, so much wailing & reverence & movement.

[@zaitesushion]

shreds so hard there's cole slaw everywhere

[@MegalopsykhiaLIN]

Hhh

[@KapkztAnimates]

林祝凱 Hhh

[@Kobor_Tamas]

😂

[@sterlingmillhollon2520]

I love how you can bend strings by applying pressure downwards! Makes for very expressive music!

[@jgrossma]

You can do this with a scalloped neck guitar if you like.

[@gregoryhussey6477]

Agree - very cool!

[@realeuphoniism]

Yes, Chinese music and a lot of Asian music in general like to bend notes to add expression. I've developed somewhat of a sense to differentiate what country the music is coming from (At least differentiate China, Japan, and Korea). China has a lot of intense and expressive music that usually have a strong meaning in it, whether happy, sad, angry, etc. Japan has more of a calming sense of music. Very rarely does the music have fast paced, very happy music. Korean music almost always has a sort of "bounce" to it. I don't know why, but it's very easy to tell if it's a traditional Korean song if you hear a general bouncing sound or rhythm to the song.

[@venus8738]

This kind of music is the reason why i never doubt the Chinese always respected and fought many real historic wars in the past, historic in the true sense of the word! Every beat from her fingers shoots like clouds of arrows, spears and blade sharp knives from the horseback!

[@robbiewhittle4898]

Stephen Zakaria The music and the idea that China fought many real wars have zero correlation. There isn’t a reason at all to doubt China is and has been extremely powerful and respected and involved in wars. They’ve been a power for thousands of years. Music shouldn’t be what you base your info on politics/ war from IN MY OPINION

[@user-tm7ee4nj8n]

The best part of Chinese music is the silence between licks，like the empty part of painting，these are the parts that art take your mind in deep thoughts. We call it 留白

[@jonmoulton]

Excellent work on the pipa. I've been enjoying listening to that video for the past few mornings, sitting at my desk at work. Wu Man was a fine choice for a tiny desk performer.

[@clarkalark]

so much talent across 4 little strings. amazing.

[@johnfenner347]

Absolutely remarkable !. An honour and privilege to hear this amazing virtuoso !. Fascinating and fantastic. Sending love and good wishes, from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 x.

[@HiroshiKoto]

Beautiful and wild Chinese Pipa playing!! She's really impressive!!! Wow!!!

[@camilaoroza]

I loved it! The video's description is accurate, and it's amazing seeing her play so delicately and passionately.

[@racheltaylorroth9084]

probably my favorite tiny desk ever

[@ArmandKarlsen]

She is just badass!

[@kurouki]

the bendings, the vibratos, the phrasing that she does... fantastic to say the least.. =)

[@TheRolfooo]

We were wrong all along. Looks like the Chinese invented rock.

[@Aerational]

It all started somewhere.

[@Aerational]

Shit look at some African Tribes drumming and tell me we invented Metal...

[@user-jm1ej6fc2e]

Chinese invented everything

[@dissilymordentroge5818]

@@user-jm1ej6fc2e Cultural delusions no no limits.

[@jzonkel]

@@Aerational Every culture uses drums lol

[@iDawd]

Wu man, that was crazy!

[@Discrimination_is_not_a_right]

I lack the background to judge this artistically, but it looks like a very impressive technical achievement. And I like what I'm hearing.

[@laurynsantos6780]

When ping mom played for us in elementary school, I fell in love, reminded me of grandma on her harp

[@shaunhayward]

This level of prowess on an instrument is other-worldly. WOW! Beyond amazing.

[@ttaylor1302]

I have never read so many disgusting comments on NPR Music. They bring us these segments for education and enjoyment. MAKE a choice to broaden your minds: 1) ask the Lord to forgive you for judging, 2) go read a book, 3) learn to like/love yourself FIRST and then extend that love to others.

[@Tugend8]

WOW - I'm impressed ...!!! - Such a wonderful music and playin': Thanks a lot, dear Mrs. Wu Man. Best wishes from my heart ...

[@gp2922]

Wow never seen/heard this instrument before. Brilliant introduction. Thank you wu man.

[@edivaldocurvelo5064]

CONGRATULATION!!!!! it was INCREDIBLE...we are witnessing here in BRAZIL!!! very good sound!!!

[@ManBag101]

i love npr because they show me music I would never listen to, and it just gives me such a good experience. Thanks so much

[@VIsTheMusic]

i love these sorts of 'down to earth' performances the BEST ! thank you ! luv u Wu Man !

[@guilhermesobrinho1329]

Night Thoughts is probably the most beautiful pipa music ever...

[@albatrosseable]

looks and sounds like 40 years of training.

[@user-xv4he4mt4x]

She must’ve practiced 40 hours a day when she was young.

[@KapkztAnimates]

Ling Ling I only play for 10 min-1 hour and feel like I’ll never reach this level

[@KapkztAnimates]

@@user-xv4he4mt4x wait ur ling ling?! U PRACTICE 40 HOURS?!?!

[@halfjapanesenirvana]

Wild sounds! Wu Man, you are a force of nature.

[@michaelbrand8279]

Beautiful traditional Chinese music!

[@deborahlpollitt9463]

Although the music sounds familiar to me from film scores, I've never seen the instrument or the musicianship that creates it. Ms. Wu is a virtuoso. Thank you

[@mehditaba4657]

Great musician, unique music.

[@miaomiaochan]

What makes Wu Man's virtuosity so much more impressive is that the pipa is actually a notoriously difficult instrument to learn, much less master. One can't just become a self-taught master pipa player, unlike with guitar.

[@FlyingVneckSweater]

Acoustic shredding since the 9th century! This is cool : )

[@honeyboohoo]

It actually.... Dates back pretty much farther....

[@obiwan88]

The earliest mention of pipa in Chinese texts appeared late in the Han dynasty around the 2nd century AD, so you're just wrong by 7 centuries.

[@plasticsam]

tabs?

[@kwithnics2134]

Sam Braverman lol

[@bryanmannoia7561]

+CFH Sambo yeah, right. lol.

[@jgrossma]

Heh. Pipa music actually usually is notated in special Pipa tab. Not surprising, considering the instrument is 2000 years old and pre-dates conventional Western staff notation by over 1500 years! "Ambush from all sides" is one of the most famous pieces for the instrument. Its been transcribed, but I think finding a copy might be tricky. If you *do* manage to find one, and can decipher it, good luck playing it. This is a considered a virtuoso level piece and it will probably take you a few years of practice before you can do so.

[@ksalanpang]

love these virtuosos coming through.

[@user-luanquandasilaoshifu]

Ancient Chinese poets used the sound of pearls falling on a jade dish to describe the sound of the pipa.

[@blutos]

Man, this is intense. I want a pipa!

[@xtendedline]

amazing, pure treasury, thank you Wu Man, keep it up!!

[@thomasthecpunerd]

put some emgs on that and put it through a dual rec. that'd be metal as fuck.

[@merdufer]

@azrasound "Ambushed from ten sides" is quite a popular traditional repertoire for virtuosos. There's an interesting story behind it, too, if you're into ancient militaristic stuff.

[@electricjoelle]

What's the story?

[@yuetani]

Joelle Hamilton search up maybe battle of gaixia

[@dr.kruger]

Wow! Beautiful instrument! And she plays it amazingly!

[@MegalopsykhiaLIN]

The another reason why a lot of girls learning pipa but not boys is that pipa is traditionally for girls, for boys they practice Erhu, Guqin etc. A lot of pipa masters were males though

[@niallahorana3377]

I love Guqin it's so pretty.

[@MegalopsykhiaLIN]

@@KapkztAnimates I said "traditionally"

[@KapkztAnimates]

@@MegalopsykhiaLIN oh ok sorry

[@TheFunkyCriminal]

so fukin metal

[@wildh0rse1]

Would have sounded great on my old Les Paul lolol

[@MrThinwiteduke]

Simply, I love it!!!

[@alexandersh895]

the last one sounds like banjo and country. super cool perfomance

[@monzyc1681]

She went to our school today!!!! She was sssooo cool

[@KapkztAnimates]

Monzy C cool! I would have wanted to show her my pipa

[@AndreasArianto]

She plays so gracefully!

[@duhhh86]

haha, well the first piece she played is a very ancient chinese tune that existed way before van halen!!

[@honeyboohoo]

But this form of 十面埋伏 is the modern one though....

[@WanderingTaurusFarms]

I very much enjoyed this! You don't see or hear this too much nowadays. Quite refreshing. :DDD

[@jg6582]

Damn.... ancient Chinese music school musta been the shit back in the day lol.

[@NoName-tq7qc]

It was also really hard back then. I've read that they spent hundreds of hours to get in and thousands perfecting their art.

[@jg6582]

We do that now too.

[@NoName-tq7qc]

That is true.

[@joepworther2284]

This is great chinese music!!!

[@jopo8281]

Wow you had this lady on so long ago. Amazing ❤

[@okal]

Last piece sounds very similar to music from the Sahel (deserts of West Africa). Like something a griot would play.

[@sweetlymiserable]

+Okal Otieno I love the music from the western Africa, especially from Senegal!

[@hiemehbarron9768]

Okal Otieno the Silk Road ran from Timbuktu to China...it's not a stretch to imagine the African influence on the Far East.

[@brycechristianlowry232]

And visa versa.

[@mrkrud]

Wouldn't surprise me if you could mail order actual musicians from anywhere on the Silk Road and some enterprising individual would "acquire" and deliver. Please allow 4-6 years delivery.

[@MrTrinitothebone]

I'm a African-American that LOVE and ENJOYS HER MUSIC. I would Marry Her!

[@MrBlue11900]

Same fam except im Latino lol

[@MrTrinitothebone]

@@MrBlue11900 Yes Latino Ancestry came from Africa as well!.

[@yuetani]

wonder china I have a pipa rn its really fun to play

[@sergioandresjimenezbernal8822]

Que belleza, la musicalidad que lleva como si contara mil historia con su sonido.

[@Arkzyw]

Genius!...no more words needed

[@Trebz50]

Master of puppets I’m pulling your strings Twisting your mind and smashing your dreams Blinded by me, you can’t see a thing Just call my name, ‘cause I’ll hear you scream Master Master Just call my name, ‘cause I’ll hear you scream Master Master

[@tinagore7382]

This shit is tight as hell

[@jasonstraight3338]

Holy finger rolls, batman!

[@1feloniouspunk]

I love how she cracks the audience up by poking fun at lazy boys.

[@GriffinU]

Whoo, man! That woman in Wu Man is incredible.

[@AL3XK1NG17]

She played at my school today and blew me away

[@221Dw]

Don't think you can get much more dramatic than that first part.

[@rebelrevolution22]

Pure artistic beauty

[@ameliabloometnoahprice9670]

Hot damn this is beautiful!

[@VIsTheMusic]

YAY I love these concerts so much - thank you. Love - Vi An

[@dickbutt42069]

these are fucking amazing instruments.

[@TrebleFM]

night thoughts is amazing

[@johnreneaudmusictheelectri2546]

Rockin' it. Sounds great.

[@goohber1]

pipa is awesome. i wonder, if u use nylon or gut strings, instead of steel, would it sound much softer? i like pipa cause i like idea of 100% hole - less lute(completely flat). & 4 strings gives plenty of finger room, unlike room lost with 6 stringed guitar.

[@MinvlyMusic]

OH MY WOW........ THATS A MUSICIAN.....

[@alisonhenley1365]

LOVE THIS SET

[@bladeshards5065]

Woah... dude...its like music or somethin..

[@esse9]

holy shit is this intense. i am completely captivated. never heard nothing like this. how wonderful :)

[@jaimeedilbertorodriguezmor5978]

That´s so Beautiful I am glad with you lady woman the bookering wrigthing love in your fingers flowers every leave crowing deep . Loada Mujer tesoro escribiente poeta de infinta majestad ancestral liberada. una clase genial y anima a comprar una pipa. Bendiciones 6 de agosto desde Bogotá despierta.

[@tango-bravo]

Beautiful woman; beautiful music

[@071949]

One to make you smile. You see this pretty Chinese lady w/ this somewhat odd-looking (to my Western eyes) stringed instrument, and you are expecting maybe a lullaby. Instead you get something resembling hard rock. Cool. 01/10/2015

[@vsimdobra1382]

Bravo !

[@shanemchavez]

its important to understand that this is for entertainment, imagine having to entertain an emperor in the time when these pieces originated. I am sure that they would be quite impressed!!

[@niallahorana3377]

Pipa is an old Chinese instrument. Even one of the Chinese immortal deity has one with her.

[@angelabby2379]

But this pipa is more modern rendition, the ancient one probably resembles more like japanese biwa? Search tang dynasty pipa it is kept in japanese museum

[@niallahorana3377]

@@angelabby2379 The Chinese introduced it to the Japanese.

[@cowsaysmuuuu]

These are folk music not court music.

[@davidgeorgemarksergeant4373]

Magnificent.

[@trashboat8032]

I can't help but find her attractive in many ways.

[@ColoRADbro420]

yea being amazing at musical instrument helps, its why i picked up guitar when I was a pubescent teenager. It helped a lot

[@BW3721]

My brain could barely handle the intensity of the first song.

[@orhaneneskuzu]

Great.

[@DidivsIvlianvs]

Dueling Pipas Chinese Food Deliverance

[@zebra3stripes]

A lot of golf fans must listen to her. They're always shouting, "Wu da Man."

[@JimHarrisArt]

Fantastic.

[@_chary990]

we are not worthy! we are not worthy!

[@user-vq2xi3gi4i]

Amazing!❤