Finding a new way with the valiha (tube zither video)

Finding a new way with the valiha (tube zither video)

From Wu Fei's Music Daily by Wu Fei 吴非

May 11, 2026 · 3 min

About this episode

Wu Fei explores playing the valiha, a tube zither from Madagascar, and shares her personal journey with the instrument.

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, This instrument is the valiha — a tube zither from Madagascar 🇲🇬 I’ve never quite figured out how to hold it comfortably. As a guzheng (古筝) musician and pianist, I’m used to having my fingers free while playing. Today, I finally found a way to play the valiha without having to hold it with my hands. With the birds chirping and my neighbor cutting the lawn in the background in Nashville, I improvised this little song. Keeping my eyes closed while playing liberated my mind — my heart felt closer to my fingers, and I could truly feel the sensation between my fingertips and the thin metal strings, as well as the sound vibrations from the bamboo body against my forehead. A little background on how these valihas came to me: They are gifts from my dear friend Professor Tasha Rijke-Epstein. She teaches history at Vanderbilt University, and her main research field is Madagascar history and culture. When she found out that I’m a composer, musician, and string player, she showed me her valiha — which had been sitting in her house for many years, unplayed. I immediately started playing and making songs on it. She wanted me to have it right away. Then…

People in this episode

Host: Wu Fei 吴非

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Vanderbilt University

Places: Madagascar

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