Which first xiao?

[jelfi]

Hello again!

So I've been learning and playing dizi for a while now. And I feel like trying out the sound of xiao, so I've been thinking about buying some cheap one.

From what I've read here, the 8 holes one is more comfortable than 6 holes one and G xiao is easier and better for beginners than F xiao. Am I right?

I'm deciding between those two in G and for heaven's sake I can't choose (the price with shipping is almost same)
www.carrotmusic.com/servlet/the-23/Dizi-Shinobue-Shakuhachi-Flute/Detail
www.ebay.com/itm/Xiao-Chinese-vertical-end-blow-bamboo-flute-shakuhachi-musical-instrument-/321465998723?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ad8dddd83

Anyone has experiences buying xiao from Carrotmusic? And how about the one from ebay? Looks trustworthy enough? Or shoud I just decide by better looks?
It is the cheapest one, so I'm not expecting any super sound, the point is just to try out the flute. Also I don't intend to spend any more than that, there's the possibility I'll try out the xiao, won't like it and never play it again.


I suppose you can't really tell anything from a picture, but any advice to point me in some direction to solve this first world problem and help me decide would be much appreciated :3

[Flolei]

Hello,

Here is the one from Carrot.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_-QbginGqg
It is exactly the same model.

Carrot is reliable and for the price you will get a quite decent instrument.

For the other one, unfortunately I cannot access to the announcement.

Best regards,

Flolei

[shizuka]

Hi,

I am a beginner and had to consider if I should buy a G dizi or a C dizi. One thing I realised in the process is that my hands are very small and my fingers literally could not reach all the holes on my C dizi, which made the G dizi, or one of the smaller ones, appropriate for me. I do love the lower sounds of the C dizi though.

Shizuka

[Flolei]

Are you really sure that you don't reach holes? Maybe it's only a matter of habit, your hands are not used to be a little "stretched".
If you have really a problem, then D dizi should be ok, here the position is very natural.
F, G and even E dizis are more difficult to blow because the embouchure (blowing hole) is really very small, so you have to focus very accurately the air stream.

[davidmdahl]

I agree with Flo that the G dizi can be a challenge for a new player. While the finger stretch is not an issue, the embouchure (hole made by the lips) needs to be more focused, and this is hard to do without developing bad habits of tension in the lips and face. If the C dizi requires too much of a finger stretch, the D dizi might be much more manageable. Even a little bit less of a stretch can be much more comfortable.