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Post by davidmdahl on May 16, 2012 23:15:46 GMT
I wouldn't worry about the authenticity of wood for dizi flutes. The important things are the sound, tuning, and the skill of the player. The Chinese I play music with are not concerned with authenticity of materials. I am a lot more picky about that, but am learning to loosen up. Anyway, wood can crack too, but if it is more stable in your neck of the woods, then a wood dizi could be a good choice.
As for whistles, (we are an eclectic bunch) I don't have a Burke, but have heard good things about them. There is a forum called Chiff and Fipple that has been going for years. You will find many resources there for information and advice regarding whistles.
I have Copeland whistles in low D, G, A, and high D. The low D is indeed lovely, but the G is probably the most fun. I did read that Copeland is making whistles now and then and selling them on Ebay. Apparently he figured that many of the whistles might wind up there anyway, and he might as well get the benefit. That way he doesn't have to maintain a waiting list. Fortunately, there are plenty of good whistle sources.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by Blue on May 16, 2012 23:25:51 GMT
The reason that wood based dizis are expensive is because once the craftsmaker messes it up by accidentally cracking or destroying part of it, that's a lot of money that gets messed up given the scarcity of that type of wood. In the case of bamboo (especially bitter bamboo), messing it does not incur such a large cost penalty.
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Post by davidmdahl on May 17, 2012 0:03:23 GMT
The reason that wood based dizis are expensive is because once the craftsmaker messes it up by accidentally cracking or destroying part of it, that's a lot of money that gets messed up given the scarcity of that type of wood. In the case of bamboo (especially bitter bamboo), messing it does not incur such a large cost penalty. That makes a lot of sense. Some woods have become very very expensive. My erhu teacher has an old friend in Guangxi province who is retiring from making erhus. He ran out of his stock of good wood, and has found replenishment to be exorbitant. It does make me wonder about the wood quality of new instruments described to be made of sandalwood. How slippery is the name sandalwood? The dilemma is that the woods commonly used for making dizi are endangered, or at least threatened. The price is going up, and the survival of the trees over the long term is in doubt. On the other hand, bamboo is not in danger and would seem to be the "green" choice. Best wishes, David
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Post by xindi on May 18, 2012 23:36:39 GMT
My goodness David. That's mental!!!! I can't get my head around that. Having one was a pleasure. Having 4 makes them inseparable. Had I a family of Copelands, I think I would've kept them instead of becoming one of those horrible Boehm players. I've not had a wooden flute crack on me yet (touch wood! Lots of it ). They are far easier to maintain - just by oiling 3x a year, same as bamboo, I find that they show less stress out here in Yurop where everything shrinks dramatically - especially the Euro
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Post by Blue on May 19, 2012 0:20:16 GMT
Yes, we already know that you don't have wood crack on you yet and your persistent preference for wood, but I'm just saying the cost of wood dizi is higher mainly because the line yield cost is too high.
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Post by edcat7 on May 19, 2012 0:25:56 GMT
Allen
Can you find out more for us about wooden dizis, sandalwood, aged rosewood etc..
There are Chinese sites I've seen that have plenty of wooden dizis but ordering from them in English is near impossible.
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Post by wenceslas on May 19, 2012 9:34:21 GMT
edcat7 I thought you already bought one online?
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Post by edcat7 on May 19, 2012 10:34:34 GMT
Yes I've just received it and my first impressions are quite positive. I need more time to review it.
I was wondering if there is a sound difference between the different types of wood.
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Post by wenceslas on May 19, 2012 13:08:28 GMT
Is the workmanship of the dizi good? Because from the engraving I think it is a factory made dizi.
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Post by amarena on May 19, 2012 21:12:41 GMT
There are good dizis and great dizis but I haven't yet come across a really poor sounding one. Even my cheapish intermediate 'Carrot' C has is qualities..loud and ease of play. Do you have erjiao? The buzzing sound is because the dimo is on too loose. However after the dizi is warmed up the dimo will tighten a little. Thanks edcat! Your comment had really made my day ;D I don't care if it'll take me my whole life to be able to make it sounds nice, but i'll be worried if it's impossible. And today the sound's much better anyway, just hoping that I'm starting to get some grip on it! Just for fun, I've gotten the whole second octave on tin whistle too. ;D Mine's a Dixon Trad, so the sound's a bit shrieky on the last three notes on the second octave (people keep telling me that it's normal ) A little question, how to take care of the Dizi? I don't think that it'll be a good idea to wash it with soap and water like my nickel whistle... Thanks in advance ;D
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Post by edcat7 on May 19, 2012 22:16:12 GMT
NO! Dont wash it!! After use I wipe the excess moisture away with a small piece of cloth on one of those stick flute cleaners. Several times a year i also wipe some almond oil on the inside.
There is so much talk about which dizi is only marginally better than another. Actually for most of us it doesn't make any difference.
The audience unless they're die-hard dizi fans will only be listening with half an ear and some will be bored. There was so much chattering amongst the audience during my last performance i could hardly hear myself.
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Post by Flolei on May 20, 2012 5:17:58 GMT
Also in Uk where people seem to have sense of discipline and to be so polite? It's awful, isn't it? Of course, as a Chinese music fan I hardly understand how people can hear this without emotion or - at least - interest, but for me it is not the main point. If someone play music - any music - audience might be respectful and not chatting during the performance. Whe I was a student, I had to go to some hard rock performances which were very far from my sensibility, but anyway I didn't behave myself unpolitely. I stayed and only tried to protect my ears by standing a little farest from the source of music. I have to say that the best is to perform behind people who appreciate Chinese culture, like a Confucius institute. It is a kind audience.
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Post by edcat7 on May 20, 2012 6:54:40 GMT
Because it was so noisy and perhaps the stage lights were shinning on me I didn't feel as nervous had they were listening attentively.
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Post by Blue on May 25, 2012 15:20:01 GMT
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Post by Flolei on May 25, 2012 17:02:14 GMT
Actually in Chinese characters the expression "zhu di", which is often used instead of "di zi", looks like a pleonasm (it says twice that the instrument is made from bamboo). Mmm.... I like so much this language!
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Post by Flolei on May 25, 2012 17:04:26 GMT
PS: Allen, this dictionnary is pretty good! I have one similar in French language too, but this one is very practical! Thanks for sharing!
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jock
Intermediate
Posts: 44
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Post by jock on Oct 26, 2012 6:19:03 GMT
but for me, I love this music style with low sound. after get the right scale and Fingering.
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jock
Intermediate
Posts: 44
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Post by jock on Feb 25, 2013 8:32:17 GMT
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