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Post by edcat7 on May 20, 2014 9:20:47 GMT
Hi hyun and welcome,
I suppose the reason why we choose a particular instrument is because we love a particular tune. I had no previous musical background and so finding a teacher was essential since I knew I couldn't teach myself.
If you can't decide whether you want to play the dizi or Xiao why not get both? As long as you get one or two (and I mean only one or two) very good ones then it isn't very expensive. Also eventually you may wish to try other wind instruments such as the hulusi, bawu and xun.
Best wishes
Ed
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Post by edcat7 on May 20, 2014 11:41:11 GMT
I play the dizi over the Xiao mainly because though my teacher has a Xiao he is more of a dizi player. I have tried a friend's Xiao and I found holding it and the embouchure was difficult. (but then again the dizi was initially difficult for me too)
When I play my dizis at home, especially the higher pitched ones my wife and kids find it unbearably loud. However when I practise the dizi in the street between shifts in the kitchen I think it's not loud enough. There are a few Xiao players here who could tell you what key the above Xiao is in.
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Post by Flolei on May 20, 2014 15:03:53 GMT
Hello, Hyun, and welcome to the forum! I'm French too, but - as the forum is in English - I'll post my comment in this language. In the video, the woman plays a F key xiao. If your previous musical background is not a wind instrument, I think that you will find xiao more difficult to play than dizi. Especially F key is really challenging to master. But long dizi similar to xiao is difficult to play too, so I think that you have to choose which one you prefer. For dizi, C dizi is a very good choice for someone who begins and doesn't want to play too high pitched instrument. What do you think about this recording? Is it too high for you? www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZFm_8cG7BoWhen I started, I got one F xiao, after a while G xiao and a few months later a C dizi. I don't regret this choice. Best regards, Flolei
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hyun
Intermediate
Posts: 35
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Post by hyun on May 20, 2014 15:50:17 GMT
Yes, I find the dizi in the video shows too much acute! I'm afraid I can not stand when I play... On eBay, they sell in different keys ... In what order (smallest to largest) are Dizi?
For Xiao, I feel that all the songs on Youtube are in F. Is it possible to play this songs G ? There is the major change?
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Post by Flolei on May 20, 2014 17:58:18 GMT
Actually the majority of xiao songs is in G, but there are some in F too. Of course, you can play the song with a G xiao, but the fingering will be different (you will play the whole song one tone lower). The result will be similar, but maybe slightly less deep and the high notes will be slightly brighter. It's interesting to notice that the same note sounds different on the both xiaos. On Ebay the majority of dizis are from C do high G. Lowest dizis are less common. You can also order a low dizi from Eason music. This shop is very reliable (I got mine from them). This one: www.easonmusicstore.com/webshaper/store/viewProd.asp?pkProductItem=325It's a low G, the most common tone for low dizis. The other, less expensive models by the maker Xie Bing are also very good (I have one cheaper in C and one less cheap in D). On Ebay, Carrot music sells the sames Xie Bing's dizis, but not signed by the maker (they put their own mark on the flutes). www.ebay.com/itm/CD501B-Bass-G-Carrotmusic-Performance-level-Dizi-Chinese-traditional-flute-/251406425300?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a88fd9cd4Actually, they sound exactly the same as the signed ones and are slightly less expensive. Carrot music is reliable too, but the advice you can get from Eason music are more qualified.
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hyun
Intermediate
Posts: 35
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Post by hyun on May 20, 2014 18:17:14 GMT
I think I have made my choice. This will be a large dizi in G or a Xiao in F...
I know I'm not in simplicity, but what I want above all is a round sond, warm and melodic.
I think I'd often alone, or just accompanied with piano, or guitar.
Do you think I should first point me towards Xiao F or the larger Dizi G ?
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Post by davidmdahl on May 20, 2014 18:18:56 GMT
Welcome to the forum, hyun. The dizi is grouped as follows, from low to high:
Xindi: Low F, Low G, Low A, Bb
Qudi: C, D, E
Bandi: F, G, A
Xiaodi: High Bb, High C, High D
I usually play either a Qudi D or a Bangdi G. The Xindi keys require a bit of a stretch, particularly the keys below Bb. The Qudi C or D are great choices for a beginner, since the finger stretch is usually manageable. If you attempt to learn on a dizi that requires too much of a stretch, it will be very uncomfortable to play, and you are likely to develop bad habits trying to cope with the stretch.
If you are familiar with other six hole flutes, the key of the Chinese flute may be confusing. For a dizi flute, the key is the pitch sounded by covering the three left-hand finger holes. So, a Chinese C flute with all six holes covered produces the pitch of G.
Regarding the xiao, the finger stretch is usually a challenge for most people, requiring covering some of the holes with the fleshy part of the fingers, rather than the tips. In Irish flutes, and maybe Breton, this is called "piper grip". I suggest starting on a mid-range dizi, like Bb, C, or D before moving on to a dizi or xiao that requires more of a stretch.
The F xiao is often associated with the guqin, as a companion instrument. When not played with guqin, my understanding is that the G xiao is more common.
When playing by yourself, you can play any tune in whatever key you want. If you have a C dizi, then you can still tunes indicated in D, by simply pretending that you are playing a D dizi. It is only when you are playing with one or more others that you need to agree on the key. That is why a dizi player often has several keys of dizi in order to have the right one on hand as the occasion requires.
Best wishes,
David
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hyun
Intermediate
Posts: 35
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Post by hyun on May 20, 2014 18:30:21 GMT
Thank you much David !
The problem is that I support less acute ...
This is why I prefer the large Dizi who playing low (F), or Xiao...
Regarding the gap of the fingers, I'm lucky to have long fingers.
Are you sure Xiao between a G and F, the sound does not change, but only fingers?
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Post by davidmdahl on May 20, 2014 21:10:22 GMT
<snip> Are you sure Xiao between a G and F, the sound does not change, but only fingers? I am not sure what you mean. With the same fingering, the F xiao is a step lower than the G xiao, The F is primarily used for playing with guqin. Otherwise, there are many more tunes in G. If you don't have a friend to play guqin, the G will be more useful, and more comfortable to play. I prefer low flutes too, but my own low G dizi does not get played much due to the stretch. For fun, I usually play my C dizi, and in my teacher's Chinese ensemble, mostly D and G. I don't really like playing the G very much, since the pitch is high, it is more work for the embouchure, and the holes are uncomfortably close together. If your fingers are long, maybe you will do fine on a low G dizi or xiao. Best wishes, David
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hyun
Intermediate
Posts: 35
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Post by hyun on May 21, 2014 8:09:22 GMT
I would add that even on low Dizi, there is not the membrane as in other Dizi smaller ... So really we do not find the tone of what the Dizi. Am I wrong? In this case, the Xiao is maybe more appropriate ... What do you think of the difference in sound between the low Dizi and Xiao? Regarding the Xiao F, on YouTube is also accompanied with piano ... What do you think of products sold by sound-of-mountain on eBay? I think buy from him ... Once I'd decided on my choice!
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Post by Flolei on May 21, 2014 9:32:41 GMT
Of course low dizi has a membrane! I know that in China you can also get some dizis without a membrane, but in this case better to play a baroque western flute or Irish flute than dizi.
Only xiaos with only 6 holes are challenging because of the stretch. 8 holes ones are comfortable, actuqlly the most comfortable flutes I ever played.
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hyun
Intermediate
Posts: 35
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Post by hyun on May 21, 2014 11:03:57 GMT
Ok, thank you all for your help! I think I'll turn towards the Xiao because its sound pleases me more than the dizi. I think buy on eason, it remains for me to choose the key !
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hyun
Intermediate
Posts: 35
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Post by hyun on May 23, 2014 20:18:17 GMT
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Post by davidmdahl on May 25, 2014 2:02:55 GMT
Hyun, I don't think that there is anyone here that has played both Xiao and can provide informed advice. I suggest contacting Sung Wah at Eason and ask him. I suspect that the DXH is better than the XB, but I don't know if you would be able to tell the difference as a beginner. My usual advice is to get the best instrument you can afford if you think you will be serious about learning to play well. The money you spend on an instrument pales in contrast with the amount of time you will play it, practicing and performing. If you are not sure about the Xiao, then maybe get a less expensive one and see how it feels.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by song on May 29, 2014 7:29:15 GMT
Dear Hyun
DXH would be easier to play and sounds better compared to XB flutes relatively - feedback from Dizi instructors here who have tried both Xiaos.
Thanks! SW
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