Echo Ho

This session was unique to me because of the instrument used in the speaker’s work, the qin, which I could never have imagined being able to perform like this before.

The qin is an instrument I have studied for several years and a traditional Chinese instrument that I am very fond of. As it has a very mellow and low tone compared to other traditional Chinese plucked instruments, giving it a modest feel. But Echo brings a different feeling to me with the qin. I couldn’t have imagined what the combination of qin and electronics would be like, nor could I have imagined that their combination would be so amazing.

Echo has been integrating different elements from different media and genres, and she has been experimenting a lot to come up with an amazing works. And in one of her works she used a violin bow to play the qin and some sound effectors to create a very unique sound, which is great combination. The qin is a plucked instrument and the strings of the qin are different from normal bowed instruments. In fact, sometimes it is not the unique idea that is missing, what is missing is the adjustment and constant experimentation during the trial phase after the idea has been proposed. I have to say that when making a piece, trying your hand at it will give you more direct feedback than thinking about it.