Ming Hsien Tsai
A harmonica can speak
“Passion is a side effect of mastery.” With these words from American non-fiction author Cal Newport, Ming Hsien Tsai sums up his love of the harmonica.
From the south of Taiwan
Ming Hsien Tsai grew up in the south of Taiwan, a place where you can wear short sleeves all year round. He attends harmonica classes there at the weekend – together with 30 to 60 other students. His parents want to keep him from watching hours of television. Ming Hsien Tsai is ten years old at the time.
The first notes on the harmonica don’t feel good for Ming Hsien Tsai yet. But he soon discovers: “The sound of the harmonica is like language – I can create my ideal music by changing my breath control and mouth positioning.” When he learned to play his favorite melodies on it, it was exciting and surprising.
From Singapore out into the world
One of his most important experiences was an international performance in Singapore. It was here that he realized that the harmonica was the instrument of his choice to fill his life with. In 2011, he joined the Sirius Harmonica Ensemble. Here, Ming Hsien Tsai gained the confidence to perform on stage with the other musicians and transfer his passion to the audience. The many trips to a wide variety of places really appeals to him.
An instrument that accompanies him
He wants to teach his students that the harmonica can be a good companion at various moments in life. He searches for the ideal harmonica for himself and begins to make his own instruments.
“My philosophy is to build a harmonica that I like to take on stage myself. Existing instruments from different brands always have their weaknesses. I hope to build a harmonica with good tightness and good response that can accompany me on gigs around the world.”
Ming Hsien Tsai now also works as an instrument maker for other musicians and develops individual instruments for them. In discussions with them, the special wishes of the players crystallize. Ming Hsien Tsai works with them to find the best possible solutions. This is work that Ming Hsien Tsai particularly values alongside his concerts on international stages.