A Humpback Whale's Popsong

Many of us are aware of the remarkable intelligence displayed by whales. They exhibit family bonds and care for their offspring similar to humans. The mournful moans they emit when losing family members reflect a deep emotional capacity that resonates with our own experiences. Whales communicate through vocalizations, using a variety of sounds and frequencies, and they also demonstrate teamwork and sophisticated hunting strategies.

Perhaps less known is that different whale populations in various ocean regions have unique "cultures." Despite sharing the same physical structures, these groups adhere to specific dietary preferences due to cultural reasons. Similar to the culinary distinctions between Western and Eastern tastes in humans, whales exhibit unique dietary habits, forming part of their cultural identity.

Humpback whales, in particular, possess a fascinating cultural phenomenon—their songs. Male whales from the same region learn and share specific songs, akin to their pop music. These compositions are learned in segments from a young age, featuring repetition and rhyme, similar to the structure of human songs. Once a song is learned, the entire group gradually improvises on it, continually evolving and collectively learning the variations over days, weeks, or even years, fostering a shared cultural experience.

Humpback whales are renowned for their diverse vocalizations, with a song typically lasting between 5 to 30 minutes. Inspired by this captivating cultural feature, I began to transcribe an 8-minute humpback whale song and interpreted it using wind instruments and the erhu. The instrumentation is divided into two parts: the humpback whale's melodic singing and the rest of the orchestra creating the ocean atmosphere and depicting the storyline.

The narrative begins with a joyous humpback whale swimming and singing in the deep sea, with the resonance of wind instruments mimicking the whale's majestic presence, accompanied by other instruments evoking the sound of ocean waves. The piece transitions to another scene, where the humpback whale dances happily beneath the waves, incorporating elements of traditional Eastern dance music to vividly portray the scene. The third section depicts the humpback whale meditating alone in the tranquil, deep, dark ocean. The final part shows the whale gradually being surrounded by other sea creatures, eventually reuniting with its family, forming a colorful underwater tableau. The whale's sounds gradually fade into the distance, depicting its departure.

Several deliberate choices were made in creating this piece. First, using culturally traditional Eastern instruments was to pay tribute to the humpback whale's culture. Second, the transcription of the whale song closely mirrors the original version, maintaining its temporal and pitch characteristics to present a karaoke-like effect, making it a "pop song." Third, the piece ends with the whale's departure, emphasizing the whale as a sentient being with the right to exist independently, urging us to respect their lives and protect their habitats.

In summary, the Earth is home to many highly intelligent creatures that should be regarded as another species similar to humans, showcasing their unique cultures and emotions. We urgently need to recognize and respect their coexistence needs, fostering a more harmonious relationship with these species.