Music can truly be made with anything.
All you have to do is take a look at the world around you.
With the right creative attitude, it’s possible to see the beauty and availability surrounding you in any place, at any time. DIY isn’t a bad way to go, and there are many who shun the mainstream and build instruments of their own. But what if your instrument is even a notch above that, no crafting required, just freely waving around in the breeze—like a leaf on a tree.
Musician Luo Wenjun is doing just that.
He makes music using leaves, and the entire concept is quite liberating in itself.
Wenjun’s musical instrument is free, and unlike money, does in fact grow on trees.
He has become the self-proclaimed “best lead musician” in all of China, and has been crafting beautiful music this way ever since he was a child.
He recalls, when he was around six or seven years old, picking up the interest while herding cattle in his hometown. Now, he’s been making music with mother nature’s melody for over 30 years. What remains most important to him is keeping this old tradition alive, so Wenjun continues to teach the craft to students anywhere from seven to 70 years old.
When Wenjun wants to create music, he goes out and picks leaves off of trees.
In his opinion, “a leaf is the cheapest instrument in the world.”
All you have to do is go outside. He explains in an interview for Great Big Story that leaf blowing was traditionally used to mimic the sounds of birds and insects. And then gradually, people started to use the leaves to make music instead. The artform progressed into something far beyond sounds. Since leaf music was introduced as an actual form of music and brought to live stages, Wenjun has traveled internationally to put on a show. He’s traveled to the United States, France, Poland, Italy, and many other European countries.
Wenjun admits that there is an actual art in choosing the instrument itself.
In order to make the right music with the right sounds, you must first pick the right leaf. Not every leaf can be blown the same way.
“The secret to choosing a good leaf is finding one that’s flat and smooth enough. It needs a certain arc and a good elasticity. As long as you pick the right leaf, the sound you make is irreplaceable by other musical instruments.”
Once you find the perfect leaf, you must play it properly.
“When you have a piece of leaf, put it in between your hands. Hold it, and fold it a little bit before you put it in your mouth. Try to blow it with breath. The leaf will vibrate and utter a sound. Once you can blow a sound, then you learn how to alter the sound.”
Wenjun has gone on to replicate a wide variety of notes, he has even produced and recorded original songs with the leaf.
Aside from performing on stage, he teaches the craft to eager students, young and old.
In thirty years, Wenjun has taught hundreds and thousands of students. His permanent wish is for more people to learn leaf music, and he will continue to get the word out.
Check out this all-natural melody for yourself in the leaf-blowing video linked below!
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