Confucius Learns the Qin
In the 19th year of Duke Zhao of Lu (523 BCE), Confucius traveled to the State of Jin to study the qin (a zither-like instrument) under the renowned court musician Shi Xiang.
It is said that Confucius practiced the same piece for over ten days without moving on. Shi Xiang told him, “You have mastered this piece. It’s time to learn a new one.” Confucius replied, “I have learned the melody, but not yet perfected my technique.”
After some time, Shi Xiang said again, “Your technique is now excellent. You may proceed to a new piece.” Confucius responded, “I have yet to grasp the spirit and deeper meaning of the composition.”
More time passed, and Shi Xiang remarked, “You have understood its essence. You should learn another piece.” But Confucius said, “I still have not perceived the character and soul of the composer.”
Suddenly, Confucius looked up with a thoughtful expression and said, “Now I see the composer’s presence—who but King Wen of Zhou could have created such music?” Shi Xiang rose and bowed deeply, exclaiming, “Exactly! My own teacher told me this piece is called ‘The Composition of King Wen’.”
This story illustrates Confucius’s extraordinary dedication to learning music.
Not only was Confucius skilled in playing the qin, but he also loved singing. Whenever he heard someone sing well, he would ask them to repeat the performance so he could join in. His deep engagement with music led to frequent discussions on the subject, and his keen perception and appreciation were so refined that after hearing the Shao music in the State of Qi, he was so enchanted that he “forgot the taste of food for three months.”
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Note: The phrase “三月不知肉味” (lit. “three months without noticing the taste of meat”) is a classical Chinese expression describing total absorption in something sublime, to the point of neglecting even basic pleasures. I chose to translate it as food instead of meat (direct translation).
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