Everything about Xiao Flute totally explained
The
xiao is a Chinese vertical
end-blown flute. It is generally made of dark brown
bamboo (called "purple bamboo" in Chinese). It is also sometimes called
dongxiao,
dong meaning "hole." An ancient name for the xiao is
shùdí (lit. "vertical bamboo flute") but the name
xiao in ancient times also included the side-blown bamboo flute,
dizi.
The
xiao is a very ancient Chinese instrument usually thought to have developed from a simple end-blown flute used by the
Qiang people of
Southwest China. The modern six-hole form of the instrument goes back to the
Ming dynasty.
Organology
Xiao are today most often pitched in the key of G (with the D above middle C being the lowest note, with all fingers covered), although
xiao in other less common keys are also available, most commonly in the key of F. More traditional
xiao have six finger holes, while most modern ones have eight; the additional holes don't extend the instrument's range but instead make it easier to play notes such as F natural. There are a further four (sometimes two or six) sound holes situated at the bottom third of the length of the
xiao. The blowing hole is at the top end, usually cut into a 'U' shape. Some
xiao have the blowing end entirely cut off, so the player must use the space between their chin and lips to cover the hole fully. There may be a metal joint between the blow hole and the top finger hole for tuning purposes and sometimes also between the last finger hole and the end. The length of the xiao ranges from around 45 cm to over 1.25 m but is usually around 75-85 cm. Usually, shorter xiaos are more difficult to play because of the need to control one's breath more accurately. The angle to play the
xiao is around 45 degrees from the body.
Varieties of xiao
The
qinxiao is a version of the
xiao, which is narrower and generally in the key of F with eight finger holes, used to accompany the
guqin. The narrowness of the
qin xiao makes the tone softer, making it more suitable to play with the
qin (which is a very quiet instrument). It is also the longest of all
xiao types, up to 1.25m.
The
nanxiao, "Southern xiao"), sometimes called
chiba ("foot-eight" an old name still used for the Japanese
shakuhachi) is a short
xiao with open blowing end used in the
Nanyin, the local Fujianese opera from
Quanzhou.
Related instruments
A separate instrument, the
paixiao is a
panpipe which was used in ancient China and which, although it remains unusual, has recently had something of a come-back.
The Japanese
shakuhachi and
hocchiku, and the Korean
danso (also spelled
tanso), are descended from earlier forms of the Chinese
xiao.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Xiao Flute'.
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