"Farewell doesn’t mean to separate. Though laden with tears, I won’t cast my perseverance away. ” With the stunning rendition of Years (Ji Nian), a new original song recently gaining enormous popularity around the campus, Duan Changbo, a graduate of grade 2012 and also an independent musician, found himself back in the spotlight again.
My first impression of Duan Changbo was just like what I had expected: a dark grey T-shirt, a pair of black-framed glasses and of course, a big guitar—Just like his songs, he looked simple yet refined, with a sense of freedom and poetry. Listening to his songs was like being invited into his rich and exquisite inner world. However, the more he revealed himself, the more humbleness and ambition I could found in his personality. Mixed with both sensibility and rationality, he magically reached a perfect balance in his soul.
l Make memories eternal here
No matter which grade you are currently in, Years (Ji Nian) can always recall parts of your memory here in Wuhan University. “At first, I was just thinking of composing a song that could mark my graduation,” said Duan, “but later I wanted to devote it to everyone, not only to us graduates but to every student and even every teacher in Wuhan University. That was how the name came—Years. Since everyone has spent a few years of their life here , the experience we have in WHU becomes the connection we share with each other.”
However, even for Duan himself, he could not foresee the great success Years had enjoyed. When this song was first released it became a hit almost immediately. Thousands of WHU students were captured and touched. Duan credited this huge success to the song itself—its catchy melody and touching lyrics. “I’m not a professional lyricist, but months ago, on my way to the airport, it occurred to me like a fresh burst of inspiration.” Duan smiled with gratitude. “The cherry blossom, the unnamed lake, and Lao Zhai She, all these typical scenes flashed across my mind when I wanted to depict our daily life in a poetic way. I was lucky to finish it almost in one attempt.” However, unlike writing lyrics, which might be partly due to the inspiration enkindled at the moment, the refrain of Years came from Duan’s persistent accumulation. “I have made it a habit of recording every piece of melody when they suddenly occurred to me.” Duan said, “The main theme of Years had already matured last December. Then I found it perfectly suitable for my new song, so I made some improvements to it. Actually, the whole melody came out quite smoothly.”
With Years gaining influence, making a music video was put on schedule. The volunteer recruits had been under intense pressure. It was so amazing that one student can gather so much help to finish this task.
l To be more than a singer
The success of Years is just one aspect of Duan’s colorful life. As a student majoring in broadcasting and hosting, he has already possessed a remarkable resume as a singer. In 2014, as the lead singer of the band The Flower Theory, he released an album Ning Shi. In 2015, he was confirmed as one of the Top Ten Outstanding students of Wuhan University. His graduation solo concert Bo Le won him recognition around the campus as a natural singer.
However, Duan Changbo would rather reckon himself as something more than just a singer. “Singing has become my addiction,” Duan said, “but still, I want to try more roles, and learn about the whole music industry—everything from the basic songwriting skills like arrangements, recording or mixing to the knowledge of how to hold an impressive live show, how to negotiate with press or how to technically promote a new album, and even more.” To realize his dream of becoming a well-round musician, Duan chose to step on a rather arduous journey.
This summer Duan is going to study for a master degree of music industry in the University of Liverpool, which is renowned as the world’s best education source in the field of music economy theory. When talking more about his future plan, Duan showed great interests in the mechanism of the commercial music market and the function that new media fulfills in the contemporary music revolution. Meanwhile, with his double identity as a practitioner and a theorist of music, Duan held more concern about the domestic music circumstances. “The creation of music is a painstaking task. It is even unlikely for musicians to expect any profit from their career since most people nowadays still tend to consider music as a free product that can be downloaded from the internet .” said Duan, “It’s like a catch-22. Whether to insist or to quit, you will suffer, but I wonder if I could make a little change.” He seemed to be quite determined about the path he has chosen, despite the huge difficulty he might confront during his pursuit “The whole music industry has been commercialized, which is a fact that is hard to change. But I do it because it’s the right thing to do. An equal music market with no barriers to entry is the only means possible that leads to the true prosperity of Chinese music.” He also mentioned that the public had started to be more aware of the cultural copyright. “It’s getting better, but not enough. The United Kingdom has a more mature music market so it’s worthy for me to learn from their experience.”
Duan also expressed his desire for another sort of cultural immersion. “The live show there is marvelous. I’d like to see a real one. I might also form a new band with people there.” Duan could hardly restrain his excitement, “I am so lucky to be able to combine my enthusiasm toward music with my major and even my future career.” However, the luck Duan mentioned actually had nothing to do with the “luck” itself but his deep insight and true love for music.
l Stay humble and persistent
Coming from a musical family, Duan was born with an unparalleled passion and talent for music. However, passion and talent does not necessary guarantee that he can work less than others, especially when he has set a higher goal for himself.
It was always not easy at the beginning. Duan had suffered a lot every time he wanted to try something new. Once he insisted on working with a fever for days when he was releasing a new song. Once he got troubled by nightmares for weeks, fearing that the preorder of his new album might meet with a fiasco. Once he got lost when most of his schoolmates had been settled down, leaving him alone waiting for offers and preparing for the unknown future. “I regard all of them as necessary tests for my persistence.” said Duan. “Only if I have overcome these obstacles can I achieve success in the end. All I need to do is to make myself stay strong and go through them safely.”
When talking about all the incredible breakthroughs he had achieved, Duan Changbo responded with unexpected humbleness and modesty. He even made a list of the countless points he thought he was not good enough, “I still have a long way to go.” Duan defined himself as a lucky music layman. He was now busy with improving his guitar skills. “I used to write songs mostly based on my feelings, but I still lack professional knowledge of music theory. My current level is far less satisfying.” Although he has achieved a lot, I could hardly find any signs of complacency from him.
Be fearless to take the first step and stay hungry for everything new. That was why Duan enriched his four-year life as best as he could.
l Attitude toward music
What is good music? Duan has his own answer after several years’ endeavor. “To each individual, music can trigger different feelings, making them suddenly recall something real through the melody.” Duan regards such reflection as the most fascinating and inspiring connection. To create the music that can reach people’s hearts is what he had always been chasing for.
Meanwhile, Duan Changbo insists on following his heart when composing songs. He had never been fixed on a certain style, nor had he ever forced himself to be versatile. He wrote what he liked. For him, real music can be created naturally with the right feeling on a right spot. It was the true love and desire, not rigid frame, that really counted.
Be humble in front of knowledge while being proud of aspiration, be poetic about music while being conscious of reality. Duan Changbo seemed to have already got the essence of life---a life that requires both ambition and modesty, both romance and toughness. He is more than a singer. He is himself.
The link to Duan Changbo's newly released song Years: http://v.qq.com/page/l/d/k/l0309qrdudk.html
(Edited by Wu Siying, Mark & Hu Sijia)
