The Way of the Pipa

Book excerpt: Two thousand years ago, the lute was imported to China via overland trade routes from Central Asia and was adopted quickly in many of the regions. Ancient court documents describe how generations of talented musicians developed its music. John E. Myers translates one of these documents to introduce to readers of the English language the traditional music and artistic philosophy of the Chinese lute or pipa. He combines language and musical skills with an aesthetic sensibility in sharing what he calls this world of expressive beauty.