Resources
Zhejiang School

    Zhejiang guzheng music school is formed around the 1950s.  Its music is
    based on the drama music of Wulin area and the thirteen melodies “Hong
    Suo”.   Although Zhejiang Guzheng School has short history, it has great
    influence on modern guzheng music as well as the instrument itself.  


    The founder of Zhejiang School, Wang Zhuanzhi, is a native of Hangzhou,
    Zhejiang.  He started learning Wulin music at a young age and is capable of
    playing many instruments including Guzheng, San-Xian, Flute, etc.   He was
    hired as a guzheng and san-xian professor at Shanghai Conservatory of
    Music in 1959, which then he started to compile Zhejiang guzheng music.  
    He rearranged many folk music and ensemble music into guzheng solo.   
    Examples are “the General’s Command” and “High Moon”.  In addition, he
    invented new guzheng playing technique including different types of Yaozhi
    and extensive left hand plucking technique.   All these are the foundation of
    the guzheng music we know nowadays.  


    Besides that, Wang Zhuanzhi is the inventor of 21-stringed guzheng.  In
    order to apply all the new techqniques and left hand plucking skills, he
    invented the 21-stringed guzheng and had the guzheng maker Xu Zheng Gao
    to make the first 21-stringed instrument.  Later, he invented the nylon-
    wrapped-metal strings to accompany the bigger guzheng.   

                   
    Wang Zhuangzhi and his students made Zhejiang guzheng music flourishes
    for the past 50 years.  In the 70s, his students Fan Shang-e, Hon Seehwa,
    Wang Changyuan and Zhang Yang composed many guzheng pieces such
    as “Fighting Typhoon”, “Fisherman’s Song of the East Sea”, “Spring in the
    Snowy Mountain”.  These become the most popular guzheng pieces and
    played by many guzheng players.
Sound of China
Guzheng Music Promotion Center