Farmer turns utensils into musical instruments, forms troupe

Liu Changying, a 69-year-old farmer, has created tens of musical instruments by using old goods, such as iron bowls, motorcycle horns and stainless steel pots, in Duozhuang town, Linyi city, East China's Shandong province. A string instrument he made out of an iron bowl won a national patent. Previously, Liu had the experiences of making erhu, a two-stringed bowed instrument. Then, one time when his wife happened to drop an iron bowl on the ground, Liu decided the sound created was a special one, so he began turning ordinary everyday utensils into musical instruments. Liu and three other farmers have formed the town's Dream Art Troupe, with an average age of 67. They often play musical instruments and sing together after finishing their farming work. [Photo/iqilu.com]