Chapter 185: The Problem of Direction

Mu Yanxi hadn’t said anything, yet Shangguan Yun had already assigned almost every position and instrument in the band.

She didn’t need to add a word. Of course, Mu Yanxi also had no idea what forming a band required.

“Can you actually play the drum kit?”

Shangguan Yun hadn’t doubted whether Ruo Xuan could play the guitar earlier, but she did ask Yu Qiuyu about the drum kit.

That was only natural. In a small band, the drum kit was the sole option for the rhythm section and percussion—almost no other instrument could replace it.

As for the guitar, even if someone’s skill was low, they could just handle chords or strum a few notes for melody.

The lead could be taken by Shangguan Yun herself, so she had no worries about whether Ruo Xuan truly knew the guitar.

“Of course. I wouldn’t lie. Once we get to the wind instrument department, I’ll show you all my skills.” Yu Qiuyu said with a confident, low laugh.

“Fine, looks like that’s settled. Then I know our band now faces two problems. The first is a lack of a bass section. The second is the direction issue.”

Shangguan Yun sat up straight as she spoke.

Seeing her get serious, the other three also straightened up, waiting to hear what she had to say.

“First, the lack of bass. None of us can play the bass guitar, so no one’s handling the bass section. Ruo Xuan, could you please lower the tuning on your guitar to cover the bass part?” Shangguan Yun asked.

“Just call me Ruo Xuan. Of course I can, but if it’s a bass we’re missing, there’s no need to retune the guitar. I’ll just learn the bass.” Ruo Xuan said matter-of-factly, as if picking up a new instrument was a simple matter.

“That’s true. I figured you’d say that. The bass isn’t hard to get started with. The bass section is yours, Ruo Xuan.” Shangguan Yun said with a smile, showing no doubt that Ruo Xuan could learn the bass.

“Hehe, if I didn’t have to handle the drum kit, I could learn the bass too.” Yu Qiuyu said with a laugh, as if learning a new instrument was no trouble for her either.

This made Mu Yanxi puzzled. She knew that while the basics of music theory had commonalities, the differences between instruments were huge.

From her own experience, the guzheng and the flute were completely different playing methods—basically starting from scratch.

And Ruo Xuan had told her that she’d only played the guitar as a child.

Yesterday, she was still a complete novice with instruments, yet today she claimed to have learned the guitar and said she could learn the bass. That didn’t seem like a beginner.

Even Yu Qiuyu was that confident—as if learning a new instrument was a one-day task for them. Mu Yanxi was sure they had a quick way to learn instruments, but she didn’t feel comfortable asking.

“Ruo Xuan handles the bass, Qiuyu handles the drum kit. Next is the melody and harmony. Yanxi and I can mix and match on that—for example, yangqin melody with violin harmony, or piano melody with flute harmony.” Shangguan Yun said.

Mu Yanxi felt like this had been Shangguan Yun’s main goal all along, but the band’s framework was basically done, so she could only nod and say, “I’m fine with whatever.”

Ruo Xuan and Yu Qiuyu were assigned supporting roles, leaving her and Shangguan Yun to play together.

“The section problem is solved. Next is the direction problem. Yanxi, what kind of band do you want to form?” Shangguan Yun asked.

“Huh? What kind?” Mu Yanxi was taken aback. “Are there different kinds of bands?”

“Symphony bands, wind bands, orchestral bands, metal bands, traditional bands… there are many types. Haven’t you thought about a general direction?” Shangguan Yun pressed.

“Well… no, I haven’t. It was just a spur-of-the-moment idea yesterday.” Mu Yanxi said awkwardly. She had no idea what the differences between those band types were, so she made an excuse.

“Do we really need to ask that? There’s only a few of us and a few instruments. How could we pick something like a symphony or traditional band? Can’t we just put it together and start playing?” Yu Qiuyu laughed.

“Direction is very important, especially in the sound dao. Even if we can’t form an advanced band now, we still need to set a direction to work toward.”

“Otherwise, it’s like climbing a tree to catch a fish or fishing for the moon in the water. Unless you all really just want to mess around and have no intention of progressing in the sound dao.” Shangguan Yun said seriously.

“That’s true, but right now we can only form a low-tier four-person band, barely filling the sections. Deciding on a direction immediately is too hasty. Besides, we should at least wait until we’ve entered the sound dao and understand it a bit before deciding, right?” Yu Qiuyu insisted.

“You have a point, but there’s one basic classification we can decide now. Are we going the vocal band route or the instrumental band route? In other words, do we want a lead singer?” Shangguan Yun asked.

The three girls didn’t answer right away.

***

In her past life, Mu Yanxi had played silk-and-bamboo instruments, which were purely instrumental. But after hearing Lu Yue Fairy’s singing with instrument, she thought that was pretty good too.

Seeing that none of them spoke, Shangguan Yun continued, “Both models have their merits. An instrumental band lets us focus on sound dao cultivation. A vocal band can combine the advantages of the song dao. Either choice is fine.”

“I support a vocal band.” Yu Qiuyu was the first to state her position.

“All the small bands popular in Spiritual Moon Sect right now have lead singers, including in the Light Music department. And for future opportunities and side gigs, a vocal band can at least go to song gatherings, right?”

“But high-level cultivators prefer pure instrumental bands. When those big companies and great sects hold banquets, they tend to favor instrumental bands.” Ruo Xuan raised an objection.

“That’s too high-end. We probably won’t reach that far. We’re just a small four-person band. We can’t even fill all the sections—how can we play?”

“Better to add a lead singer for more layers and functionality. Besides, if needed, we can switch to pure instrumental anytime. The two are completely interchangeable.” Yu Qiuyu stuck to her view.

Both of them made valid points. They weren’t arguing, just discussing.

Shangguan Yun looked at Mu Yanxi. “What do you think?”

“I think a vocal band does seem more suitable for our current situation,” Mu Yanxi said. “But do we have a lead singer? Which of you can sing?”

The three of them were stunned for a moment.

Ruo Xuan shook her head. “I can’t.”

“I can a little, but playing the piano is one thing. It’s not suitable to sing while playing the violin, and I know nothing about the song dao.” Shangguan Yun shook her head.

“Same here. Do you think anyone can sing while playing the drums?”