Xiao Key G or F

[manunart]

Dear All,


I just learn Dizi for a month and during next month (mid of December) my wife will visit SG.



I have a plan to let her bring 1 Xiao from Eason.



1) Do you have any suggestion what should I get bettween Key G or F?

2) Is the F is alot more difficult than the G?

3) Do anyone have one of Xiao from Eason and How it is?

www.easonmusicstore.com/webshaper/store/viewCat.asp?catID=22


Please note that

1) I already have Dizi Key D and Bb.

2) I realy like this song "Fairy Footsteps in Greenland" (I think it's key G)




Thank you.

[Flolei]

Hello,

Actually this song is in F (but you can play it with a G xiao too). You can see it here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AGQj7Ri2PQ

Unfortunately I have no xiao from Eason (I bought my bamboo xiaos before I found Eason website). If I compare the F and G I have from the same brand, I can say that the one in F is more difficult to play (it's less responsive and it needs more air), but I like the sound which is deeper.

Best regards,

Flolei

[billdsmall]

Hi there,

In addition to what Flolei posted, the F xiao is also more difficult due to the slightly wider hole spacing for the right (lower) hand. May not seem like much but it's significantly more of a finger stretch.

In my not-so-humble opinion one's first xiao should absolutely be a G. Good luck!

[ziman]

Hi,

I would recommend the G key xiao if it is your first. As mentioned by Bildsmall, F key xiaos have slightly wider finger spacing than G key xiaos, making it a more strenuous stretch. My F xiao is pretty much as responsive as my G one, but does require a bit more air, like Flolei mentioned.

A second reason to get the G first-- important if you would like to play music with others-- is that most xiao pieces that can be played in duet or ensemble with other Chinese instruments are either in G or D key (the 8-hole G key xiao is able to cover both of those keys).

The F key xiao is primarily played either as a solo instrument (because of its deeper sound) or in duet with the guqin (which often plays in F key). So, unless you have a strong preference for deeper-sounding flutes, or you duet frequently with guqin, the G key xiao will be more useful in a wider variety of situations.

I have one xiao from Eason, the G key Dong Xue Hua xiao. It is excellent. The Dong Xue Hua xiaos I've encountered tended to be player-friendly flutes, consistent and easy to play. They will also reward more experienced players with a rich tone. Overall, I'd describe them as versatile instruments that are good to begin on but serve well as concert flutes too.

I have not played the Xie Bing xiaos Eason also stocks, though, so I have no idea how those are like.

Cheers,
Ziman.

[manunart]

Dear Flolei, billdsmall and ziman.

Yes, this song is key F

Thank you very much for the Xiao information. After I read the answers, I decided to get Key F since I always play solo and its produce more deeper sound. << I really want to make a difficulty try.

After read the answer from zimen, I decide to get Dong Xue Hua Key F Xiao.
Thank you so much
@^ ^@

[ziman]

In that case, when you are playing, make sure you stop whenever you feel strained or painful in any part of your hands or fingers. Never attempt to force yourself to continue or ignore the discomfort- repetitive stress injuries can be easily be caused that way. If your hand/finger position feels strained, change your position until it no longer feels that way.

If you find that you are unable to cover all the holes on the F key xiao comfortably with your fingertips, I would recommend practice using a piper's grip (i.e. covering some or all of the holes with the second joint of your fingers rather than the tips). This is more likely needed on the right (lower) hand, as the finger stretch is greatest there, and if you try to cover all the right hand holes with fingertips, often your wrist will end up at an awkward/uncomfortable angle too. Piper's grip is a little tricky (expect some issues with air leakage in the beginning), but it really helps with making long xiaos more comfortable to play.

In short, take it easy. Enjoy!

[manunart]

I received Key F Xiao DXH last Sunday (15 Dec).

Finger straight is not the problem, I can cover all the holes and play comfortably the only problem i have is I feel pain at my right wrist after about 10 min continuous playing.

Now, I able to play 1st and 2nd octave. The sound is so great. I prefer the tone of Xiao than Dizi.

I am enjoy practicing "Fairy Footsteps in Greenland".

After I look at the finger chart, I found that the Key F Xiao also able to play with Key C without cover half hole right?

Ziman,
Thank you for your advice. ^ ^

[thebamboogrove]

Hi!

use the second joint of your fingers to press instead of fingertips. The problem in the right wrist is common. Relax and try adjusting the fingers

[manunart]

thebamboogrove, Thank you for your advice, this really help.

However, I need to press quite hard when use mid-finger because I am thin, my finger joint is bonny lacking fresh for close the holes completely.

I will try for a week. Thank you ^ ^

[manunart]

Hi, thebamboogrove, (Also davidmdahl and Flolei)

I post here to say Thank you for your advice.

After I follow your advice that you said use the second joint is really help. It's make less pain on the right wrist.

And this also make lesser stress on my arm position then this make me able to play longer. ^ ^

[thebamboogrove]

the next advice i think will help is that a hole is but.... a hole. Please do not press hard. The function of pressing is just a cover on the hole, and thats all it will do. loosening your grip will enable you to play with a lot less tress on both hands, and speed up finger movements too.

[manunart]

Hi, thebamboogrove,

Thank you again for your advice ^ ^

[thebamboogrove]

your most welcome... I am trying to have dizi/xiao ensemble online, much like the youtube project in the past. I live in Rochester NY, and am looking forward to meeting more people

[joepip]

I bought the Xie Bing G xiao from Eason last October, and find it easier to play than the other dizi flutes I have. The flute definitely is good quality and of good craftmanship. You have a few other flutes so you probably already are aware of maintenance in regards to temperature and humidity, but I ended up suffering the same issue as with my dizi flute. Not by outside temp but just by it being cold in my house and me grabbing to practice I ended up with a few splinters in the wood. I'll have to fix it with some wood glue.

I say if you don't have a flute case for your flutes, blow a few times if the wood is cold and wait for it to warm up slowly so you don't get cracks/splinters.

Have fun with the F xiao! I was thinkin about getting that one.

[manunart]

Hi, joepip and thebamboogrove,

Thank you for your advice ^ ^

[dawei]

Nov 21, 2013 18:50:27 GMT manunart said:

2) I realy like this song "Fairy Footsteps in Greenland" (I think it's key G)




Thank you.

I know this an old thread...but I found this sheet music for the song and thought some of you may want it:


www.gangqinpu.com/html/8461.htm