Dimo makes buzzing sound after few hours

[jtetek]

Hello!

After few weeks of playing on dizi, I have decided to try out the dimo. After applying it and drying out, it sounded perfectly. Much better than tape. Few hours after drying out it still sounded good. This morning, though, it started to make a buzzing noise, especially while playing the upper octave.
When I put some moisture on the dimo and try to tighten it (while leaving it wrinkled, with no pleats), the dizi starts producing clean tone again.

How do I fix it? Or is it supposed to be buzzing? It is buzzing quite a lot.


Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Blue]

The dizi should be buzzing, but it becomes a question of to what degree. The dimo needs to be a little loose to produce some degree of buzzing. The buzzing is what gives the dizi its rich harmonics compared to a regular flute. However, if the dimo is too loose, the buzzing may be too strong and actually interfere with your ability to play higher notes, especially when you might use a moderately stronger breath to play the high notes.

[davidmdahl]

When you want to adjust the dimo membrane, just get it a little wet with some spit at the end of your finger. Try to dampen only the part of the membrane that is in contact with the dizi body. While it is damp, the membrane should be adjustable enough to change the tension. Take care though or the membrane will tear and you will need to start fresh with a new membrane. It may take some experience to get the hang of it, so don't panic if you go through some membranes. I have found that old membrane is brittle and easy to damage. If you are having trouble with the membrane, that might be a signal to order a fresher package or maybe a better quality.

I believe that there are some videos on Youtube showing how to adjust the dimo membrane on a dizi.

Best wishes,

David

[jtetek]

I have new package of dimo. It is the same dimo they use in some of the videos, so I hope it's good enough.

I have watched few videos and still not sure what am I doing wrong. After few minutes of playing, the dimo gets wet from the moisture from my breath and it starts buzzing gently, which is good, but in the beginning it makes noise. Is it normal or am I doing something wrong?

[edcat7]

There are a couple of things to consider: have you got enough "glue" on; do you have too many pleats; is the dimo on too tight?

I would start by putting on a concentrated solution of erjiao and then putting the dimo on fairly tightly. When you want to loosen the dimo breathe on it and gently tap the dimo with the tip of your finger.

When you play the dizi from cold the dimo is always slightly loose. As it warms up during playing the dimo contracts. You can warm the dizi by covering all the holes and then double tongueing.