Zhou Shaoxuan - Lusheng Player in Weixin County, Zhaotong 

Introduction

Zou Shaoxuan (邹绍宣), born in 1960 in Banzhu Village, Santao Township (三桃乡斑竹村), Weixin County (威信县), Zhaotong City (昭通市), Yunnan Province, is a Miao musician and instrument maker and a provincial-level representative inheritor of intangible cultural heritage (second batch).

He is a distinguished master of Lusheng (芦笙) performance and craftsmanship. Starting at age 6, he learned Lusheng playing from the local musician Gu Zhongyun (古忠云) and later, in 1977, apprenticed under Yang Chao (杨朝) from Gong County (珙县), Sichuan, to learn traditional instrument-making techniques.

Zou Shaoxuan has innovated traditional six-pipe Lusheng into ten- and sixteen-pipe versions, expanding its range and expressive power. His works, including “Miao Village Joy Song (苗寨欢歌)” and “Miao Family Joy Song (苗家欢歌)”, have won provincial and international awards. His paper “Preliminary Study on Comprehensive Development of Lusheng” provides a valuable reference for the preservation and development of Lusheng culture.

Early Life and Artistic Training

Zou Shaoxuan’s learning reflects Miao traditional oral transmission, combining apprenticeship, family inheritance, and self-driven innovation.

Artistic Achievements

Lusheng Performance

• Skilled in traditional and modern complex repertoires.

• Performs in standing, sitting, walking, and jumping positions, adaptable to various occasions.

• Uses advanced techniques: vibrato, tremolo, glissando, ornamentation, coordinated with breath and tongue movements.

Lusheng Craftsmanship

• Expanded six-pipe Lusheng into ten- and sixteen-pipe models.

• Enhanced tone, volume, and musical expressiveness.

• Also produces other instruments such as Bawu and Hulusi, demonstrating comprehensive craftsmanship.

Innovation and Style

• Innovations respect traditional Miao aesthetics while broadening musical range and versatility.

• Enables Lusheng to perform both traditional folk melodies and modern complex compositions.

Representative Works and Performances

His style merges traditional simplicity and lyricism with modern innovation, adaptable for folk festivals and contemporary stage performances.

Teaching and Cultural Transmission

• Apprentices: Trained multiple disciples including Xiong Yongzhong (熊永忠), now a provincial-level inheritor.

• Method: Oral tradition, hands-on instruction, imparting both technical skill and cultural knowledge.

• Content: Lusheng performance, instrument-making, Miao music theory, and artistic philosophy.

Example: Xiong Yongzhong

Contribution to Miao Culture

1. Cultural Preservation:

   • Collects, organizes, and protects traditional Lusheng music and techniques.

2. Cultural Transmission:

   • Trains successors, ensuring continuity of Miao musical heritage.

3. Cultural Innovation:

   • Expands Lusheng capabilities, integrates modern musical demands.

   • Provides theoretical support through published research.

Miao Lusheng Cultural Background

• History: Instrument-making dates back to at least the Tang Dynasty.

• Cultural Role: Central to Miao identity; essential in rituals, festivals, weddings, and social gatherings.

• Musical Characteristics: Bright tone, complex harmony, rhythmic flexibility, multiple playing positions.

• Craftsmanship: Bamboo, wood, and brass materials; meticulous preparation; delicate reed-making; precise tuning.

Local Heritage Protection

• Leadership groups and training programs in Weixin County support Lusheng and other intangible cultural heritage (ICH) projects.

• Apprenticeships, school programs, and exhibition activities enhance awareness and succession.

• Policy and infrastructure investments ensure sustainable cultural transmission.

Conclusion

Zou Shaoxuan has devoted decades to performing, crafting, teaching, and innovating Miao Lusheng culture. His work preserves traditional heritage while promoting creative development, ensuring that this ancient instrument thrives in contemporary music and culture.