My personal narrative and biography

Blog Q&A
Tong Xia
Q: What made you choose guzheng as your major?
A: Since I was young, I have always dreamt of becoming a ballet dancer. Unfortunately, I met an accident and injured my leg, which led me to discontinue following my passion. Fast forward to one day when I was visiting a shopping mall and happened to come across a young girl who was playing guzheng. It seemed like one of the most beautiful sounds to ever reach my ears. From that day, I started considering playing this instrument as my passion. It became a quick getaway from my miseries. I began to feel hopeful again, like there was something to look forward to every day like I still had a chance at a life that did not feel like a burden. This is how a new chapter in my life began.
However, it is one thing to be passionate about something and another to opt for it as a profession. I took this leap of faith when I met Ms. Yuan Sha. The second I heard her play, I was moved. Tears kept rolling out of my eyes as my heart got overflowed with emotions. It felt like a privilege to get a chance to work and study under her mentorship. Soon, I got admission into her Guzheng Studio at the Central Conservatory of Music and started studying it as my major.
Q: You have been studying Guzheng for so many years and have accumulated a lot of experience performing. Can you share how you overcome the problem of performance nerves?
As you mentioned in the question, the experience is one key factor that has helped me gain confidence throughout these years. Nonetheless, it would be a lie if I say I do not get overwhelmed while performing anymore. Being nervous is natural; being anxious to perform in front of a crowd is nothing to be embarrassed about. However, I have a few tips that help me manage these feelings and complete them to the best of my abilities.
Most importantly, remember to hydrate. Drink plenty of water before performing. Also, breathing can help you relax your nerves. Make it a habit to take long, deep breaths to slow down your heartbeat. Another key tip I have learned with experience is not to overdo it with practice. Practicing for a few minutes to a maximum of one hour is enough. Do not drain yourself by trying too hard.
Q: The current social situation is that the employment prospects for music majors are very bad. How do you feel about the difficulty of getting a job as a music student?
A: Honestly speaking, the music industry's job prospects are limited. But this does not mean there is no hope at all. The culture and trends are dynamic. It is being observed that with time, the significance of this industry is improving. You can manage to find a way of earning if you have the skills. This is not limited to playing the instruments. There are opportunities in the cinematic industry where music scoring for movies has become a great deal. Other than this, teaching is an excellent method to utilize this art and to ensure it does not cease to prevail after you. You can also look into starting your own music studio or art center. All of these industries are lucrative and attractive in terms of job opportunities.
Q: Do you have any good advice for practicing?
A: Moderation is key. Practicing is essential for improving results, but do not spend the enti...