Master craftsman preserves classical music culture

Wang said he makes guqin of two types: one for collection, the other for student practice. The most valuable ones of superior quality come exclusively from his own hands.

Last year, Wang was recognized as a provincial-level inheritor for promoting guqin culture. The best way to fulfill that mission is to teach, he said, noting his plans to transform the workshop into a multifunctional art center dedicated to the guqin. Various courses in Chinese arts will be offered to attract practitioners.

Nowadays, Wang and his wife carry forward the traditional culture through manufacturing, teaching and promotional efforts. More than 100 students have been enrolled for study in their music studio. Their son began learning to play the guqin at age 5. They hope he will master the instrument and enter a musical college in the future.

One of the trainees, Wang Jixia, has studied the guqin for four years at the studio and has completed the first stage of teacher training. Wang also plans to teach his son the fine points of making this remarkable musical instrument and hopes the training will be complete by the time the young man is in his 20s.