American-born Jake Pinnick embodies the spirit of Wudang, seamlessly weaving martial mastery with the serene artistry of ancient Chinese music. A devoted practitioner of Daoism, Jake has been exploring traditional Chinese musical instruments like the xun and the dongxiao.
The xun, a wind instrument shaped like an egg with a flat bottom, boasts a history spanning thousands of years, evolving from a simple, single-holed instrument to the multi-fingered flutes of today. The dongxiao, a vertical bamboo flute intrinsically linked to Daoist practice, produces a smooth, meditative sound that complements the breathing techniques of Tai Chi.
Jake, passionate about sharing these ancient traditions, authored Introduction to the Dong Xiao: Learn How to Play the Chinese Vertical Flute in 2022, providing English-language resources for global learners. He continues to teach both martial arts and the dongxiao online.
For more:
The grace and power of Wudang Kung Fu
Beyond Tai Chi: The royal splendor of Wudang’s Zixiao Palace
(All photos taken by Fang Zhijun, cover image designed by CGTN’s Gao Hongmei and Liu Shaozhen)