Recording the ‘Xun’ with Mr Yu in Boading

In March 2018, the Global Sound Movement (GSM) travelled to Baoding in China's Hebei province, aiming to capture the sounds of the xun, one of the Country's oldest musical instruments, with a history spanning approximately 7,000 years.

Upon arrival, the team met with Mr. Yu, a distinguished xun player renowned for his performances on China's national news channel, CCTV. Mr. Yu shared insights into the xun's heritage and showcased his extensive collection of these egg-shaped clay instruments, which vary in size and the number of finger holes.

Before the recording session, Mr. Yu performed a piece of significant sentimental value to the people of Hebei. He explained that this composition is challenging to master, as many musical phrases and sections have been forgotten.

To authentically capture the xun's sound, the GSM team set up two AKG 414 microphones in a closely spaced pair, connected to a Zoom H6 recorder. This setup ensured high-quality recordings in the instrument's natural environment.

In addition to the xun, Mr. Yu introduced the team to the **ring bowl**, an instrument originating in China and widely used by Buddhists. The ring bowl he played had an approximate radius of 10 centimetres and produced an incredible sound, adding depth to the recording session.

This collaboration with Mr. Yu not only enriched GSM's sound library but also contributed to preserving the rich musical heritage of Hebei province. By documenting these traditional sounds, GSM ensures that such cultural treasures remain accessible to future generations.