Drummer in Chongqing: Everything an instrument

(ECNS) -- Dish plates, combs, sofas, paper, even chewing gum boxes can be played as a drum by Qi Shuyu.

Born in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, Qi learned to play the drums at the age of four and then learned Chinese and western percussion instruments from masters at home and abroad. For him, music is indispensable.

After studying music performance and graduating from Southwest University, he stayed on in Chongqing to start his music career.

Playing drums, he uses a lot of stuff rarely employed as instruments like hand-pans, nutshells, sand hammers, Tibetan singing bowls, cowbells, etc.,. Some were even made by himself. In his eyes, music naturally flows from people's life and everything from cutlery to furniture can produce pleasant sounds.

"Music is close to our life since percussion is the sound of friction and vibration. The human body can also be an instrument, including our teeth. These are all instruments in life," Qi said.

His drums are very unique, comprising towels, nutshells, tiny drums and bells he believes can help create richer tones.

Qi views everyone as a musician and thinks everything has its own melody. His studio teems with creative musical designs. Saponin and nutshells can "blow" winds while a spring attached to a hollow wooden cylinder, coupled with a string of nutshells, can "bring" thunder and storms.

Qi said that music has a strong emotional appeal and can heal people's hearts. He especially likes some healing tones. For example, slapping handpans and beating singing bowls and other instruments can adjust people's emotions and are helpful for relaxing the body and mind and releasing pressure.