Tai Chi and Music

Many practitioners of tai chi like to use music to accompany their practice; while for some, this is anathema. I have been a member of a number of groups whose teachers typically use music on CDs and cassettes to accompany their form. There are a great many products to choose from for those who do like to be accompanied by music. Most composers appear to stress the meditative, ambient qualities of tai chi. That is not to the taste of all, however. To the right you can see some of examples from my own collection.
Some tai chi enthusiasts are put off by music, arguing that it interferes with practice by requiring practitioners to complete the form at a given pace. The tai chi form, they argue, should not be dictated by “new age” sounds and beats.
At one session I regularly attend, the group practices the form to a soundtrack of traditional Chinese music especially composed for tai chi. I have argued with the group’s leaders that for me, it is off-putting to be led by the music, however pleasant. I find that wherever I am in the form, I am obliged to wait for the beat and perform certain moves at certain points in the soundtrack. We all practice the form at slightly different paces, and I feel slightly disturbed that I have to pause at certain points so that the music can catch up, or speed up in order to be at one with the soundtrack.
While I am not too rigid on the matter, I would prefer a silent format, as I find this more conducive to development and good practice. Amusingly, I recall that some instructors under whom it has been my pleasure to train, have been absolutely horrified at the very thought of tai chi set to music!
Of the music pictured to the right, the one I would say has most merit is Lou Reed’s Hudson River Wind Meditations. Designed for all manner of body work and other applications, it imposes no set rhythm or beat and is a pleasant, non-intrusive backdrop to practice.