Frustrating ><

[Bryan]

The other day, ii was playing the guzheng outside in the balcony when a group of bois around 10 came up to me and pointed at me and said that the instrument was the one from the movie Kung Fu Hustle. ii got irritated and even worse...they asked me iif ii could strum it like the people do but ii refused.

ii personally find it irritating that people ask guzheng players like us to do tis type of stuff.

2nd...ii was carrying my guzheng to school when ii met a 16 year old girl and boi who asked me what instrument ii was playing and ii replied and they asked if it was the instrument and they started weiird actions wit their fingers.

Strike 2...

ii hate it when people ridicule the guzheng...

but...

iitx our job to make sure that the guzheng rises in popularity...lets just bear wit the stupidity...

[Charlie Huang]

Hmmm, it does piss me off that people tend to think chimera instrument hybrids used in TV and movies are 'real'. And even if they use a proper instrument, the playing technique would hardly create music, more like noise. People should do their research.

The Kung Fu Hustle contraption is some sort of guzheng guqin hybrid which I've seen on that rubbishy CD's cover that I got a few months back. *shakes head* I'd rather they deck it out on that than damage a guqin or guzheng with their rather stereotypical take on 'playing music'. OK for a film, but people should see it for what it is.

If someone went up to me and did what those ignorant fools did to you. 1, I'll feel insulted and 2, I'll give them a slap (or swing my instrument at them). How's that for them being stupid and disrespectful fuckwits.

(Yes, I had a bad week.)

[Vi An]

Awwwweee you guys... *Warm hugs*

I have faced a lot of these sorts and I still do. When they are full grown men, in their fourties and fifties wearing a suit and tie, that really gets to me! Many people would rather be a stupid clown instead of curious when presented with new exotic things, experiences or culture. They think they're being smart, clever or even funny, no, they are clearly mistaken, they come accross terribly dull and idiotic. I litterally would look at these people like they were from another planet and then I simply give them the facts so they know that I just totally ignored their ignorance. If they are truly interested I notice that they will stay and begin to find better questions for me than "...umm yeah can you play Stairway To Heaven on that thing?" Wow, I really wanna swing this instrument full force at your face right now.. *Haahahahaha*. I always have a book with me which contains my bio etc along with very detailed info on the guzheng for people to read as they watch me perform. Many people choose not to take the time or care and attention to do that "research", they rather poke fun; its human nature I guess. Or when people feel compelled to talk to me in public or they recognize me from an event, they would run up to me and ask me "..oooooh you're that girl that plays that string thingy.." they start with the freaky fingers movements like they are turning into stupid clown demons ready to eat me, and continue with ".. is that sitar or dulcimer?" My temperature is boiling at this point as steam rises from my head as I respond, " first of all, please take those creapy fingers and creapy molesting like gestures away from me right now or I'll call the cops. Oh and by the way, my instrument, is a guzheng, can you repeat after me, goooooo juuunnnggg, thats good, heres a pamflet on it study it and come out and see me perform more, okie bubye!" I run away full spead as if they are aliens!

So do not let these ignorant types get to you, make fun of the situation so it doesn't stress you out when you get home, simply give them the straight facts even though they don't know that they really need it! You turn out to be the more advanced and intellectual being in this picture at the end of the day! *Big warm smiles*

My best to you always,

Vi An.

[davidmdahl]

I can understand the frustration at perceived disrespect of our instruments and music. After playing dan bau I have heard people compare it to the "musical saw", as if I were playing a novelty instrument! But people are usually more ignorant than insulting on purpose. Even when they do appear to be bent on annoying, I do my best to respond graciously.

Keep in mind that in these times, most people in the West at least, are not musicians. Their only frame of reference for music and instruments is what they hear on the radio and see at concerts. I certainly have my limits with obnoxious people, but usually I find it worthwhile to use patience with the rest.

I did mean to call attention to the guqin/zheng weapon in Kung Fu Hustle. I am afraid that I rather enjoyed it, although I can see how it might not be appreciated by everyone. KFH is in the spirit of Monty Python and other irreverent and outrageous films that tweak what we hold dear. I think it helps to consider that in such movies that everything sacred is in the cross-hairs. By doing so, we who care about the target are the ones really getting tweaked.

I suppose when you get to be a certain age, getting tweaked is one of the least of your worries. <g>

Best wishes,

David

[Bryan]

Aniwaix...dunch we all feel better after ranting bout spastic people...