Guqinist Master Wuyin 无音老师 | Raleigh Daoist Guqin

Wu Yin

无音

Wu Yin (无音) means silence or soundless in Chinese.

In the Daoist classic "Laozi" (also known as "Tao Te Ching"), it is said: "大音希声" (Dà yīn xī shēng). Which can be translated as following sentences:

1. "The greatest music has the faintest notes." - by Wiktionary

2. "Great music is a rarefied sound" - by D.C. Lau

3. "The sound of the Great Bell is empty in its fullness" - by Lin Yutang

The Daoist Guqin produces a serene and deep sound, its playing techniques are simple, and it emphasizes the inner essence without pursuing extravagance. It represents the best embodiment of "大音希声" (Dà yīn xī shēng) in music. The name of Master Wu Yin perfectly aligns with this philosophy. Just as the Guqin produces serene and deep sound, Master Wu Yin also maintain inner silence and pursue the great music aligning with Dao.

在道家经典《老子》（《道德经》）中有言：大音希声。

道家古琴音色清幽，深沉内敛，演奏技法朴素，注重内在，不尚华丽。是“大音希声”在音乐中的最佳体现。无音老师名合此意。琴无音，人亦无音。

Master Wu Yin plays the Guqin by the creek

无音老师在溪边抚琴

Mu zun (木尊) is Master Wu Yin's Daoist name. Which means "the noble wood".

The Guqin has a long history and cultural heritage in China, revered as an elegant, pure, and virtuous form of music. Its body is crafted from green tung and catalpa wood, which perfectly embodies the name "Mu Zun" (the noble wood). Interestingly, this name was not chosen by Master Wu Yin herself, but rather heard by her younger sister in a dream, who later shared it with her.

"木尊"为无音老师道号。古琴在中国有着悠久的历史和文化传承，被尊奉为高雅、纯洁、贤德之乐。其琴身由青桐和梓木所斫，无音老师“木尊”之号即合此意。有趣的是，这个道号并非无音老师自己所取，而是其妹于梦中所闻，后告知无音老师。

Master Wu Yin plays the Guqin at her retreat

无音老师在隐居处抚琴