B-key dizi? What does the copper joint do? Dimo?

[hopefulpencil]

I recently found a dizi in my house which my parents bought a couple of years ago from China. I can play it, but recently after dissembling the two parts via the copper joint and reassembling it again, I realised it was in B key. When the 6 holes are covered a F# is produced.

What I'm trying to ask is what does the copper joint do? I've tried turning it a couple of rounds and testing the sound. With some tightness, the sound is harder to blow but more accurate (I tune to the piano). 

Is the dizi notes supposed to be accurate (compared to the western music keys)?

Also, I remember when we bought the dizi, the store-owner said to use garlic skin as dimo. Right now I'm using scotch tape (slightly loose). Should I use garlic peel? Can onion be substituted (since garlic has the smell)? 


Thank you

[Blue]

Variations in temperature and humidity can affect the flute's pitch. During the winter, the dizi might be at a lower pitch, in which case you definitely don't want to loosen the copper joint. During the summer, the dizi might be at a higher pitch, in which case you might want to loosen the copper joint. Loosing the copper joint makes the dizi longer and effectively gives it a lower pitch.

Additionally, if you are playing with an ensemble rather than by yourself, you probably want to make sure that everyone's instruments are in tune with each other. Adjusting the dizi's copper joint will help the dizi to be in tuned with the other instruments.

If the dizi is expensive, it should probably be more accurate, but that's not always a guarantee. To be safe, it is always recommended that you test the dizi before purchasing, although admittedly that's not practically possible if you order online.

I don't recommend garlic or onion peel. Go purchase packs of dimo online. I also don't recommend scotch tape as that can damage the dizi's varnish and can trap too much moisture as scotch tape is not a permeable membrane. Use an ear plug instead of scotch tape to cover the mokong if you don't have dimo.

[davidmdahl]

Welcome to the forum, hopefulpencil. The copper or brass joint on a dizi is intended to allow lowering the pitch in order to be in tune with other instruments. In my experience, the dizi is best in tune with the head joint all the way together with the body. Pull out the head a little to flatten the sound if necessary.

I also recommend ordering some dimo membrane. I have not heard of anyone using garlic or onion skin for the membrane, although I suppose it is possible. I have heard of using garlic juice as the glue. Most of us use erjiao for sticking the membrane around the dimo hole. This is easily obtained at the same place you order the dimo membrane from. For a source, there are vendors on Ebay. I usually get my supplies from Eason Music in Singapore. The shipping is negligible since the weight of dimo membrane and erjiao is insignificant.

As a temporary measure, I do not think using cellophane tape to cover the dimo hole is a problem. I have done this in the past plenty of times without ill effects.

Best wishes,

David