(help) Flutes and The Outdoors

[mikidizi]

I recently acquired a dizi and I can play a few songs. I've heard that dizis require lots of care and can crack in the wrong conditions such as sudden changes in humidity or temperature.

I would LOVE to bring my dizi with me on camping trips, so I can play outside with no one else around.

Can this be done when it is cold outside (at or below 8 degrees celsius ((about 45 degrees farenheit))?
Is there a certain temperature dizis should not be played at?
Can altitude effect a dizi cracking?

I have read somewhere that the dizi should be allowed to reach the temperature of the surrounding air before playing, but I have also read somewhere else that dizis should not be played at all in cold weather.

Please help!

[Blue]

You could consider purchasing a plastic dizi for such occasion:

world.taobao.com/item/525893563906.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.ObJm5j#detail

world.taobao.com/item/525591160763.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.ObJm5j#detail

Not sure why drastically different prices being offered for the same thing, though.

[Blue]

These plastic xiaos look good too and should be portable given its length of ~32cm.

world.taobao.com/item/525487175779.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.ptHmkY#detail

[edcat7]

Jan 7, 2016 13:11:12 GMT Blue said:

You could consider purchasing a plastic dizi for such occasion:

world.taobao.com/item/525893563906.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.ObJm5j#detail

world.taobao.com/item/525591160763.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.ObJm5j#detail

Not sure why drastically different prices being offered for the same thing, though.

They look well made but has any one ever played a plastic dizi? There are also not cheap. My first dizi only cost a few £ including postage from China. Whilst the tone was passable I loved it because it was so easy to play on all octaves.

[davidmdahl]

I have bamboo flutes bought off the street in Vietnam for $1. When you can get a bamboo or wood flute cheap enough, the risk of damage is not too much to bear. A plastic or otherwise non-organic material is likely to be much more durable. I certainly would not expose a treasured flute, or other instrument, to extremes of temperature and humidity. If a plastic dizi is too expensive or hard to find, any six hole flute would be a reasonable alternative. You just wouldn't have the dimo. That is not a bad thing, really. Even in ordinary situations the dimo membrane is hard to keep adjusted. On a camping trip, the dimo will be even more of a challenge. I would probably tape over the dimo hole in this situation.

Best wishes,

David

[mikidizi]

Those plastic dizi seem expensive, is wood a good alternative?

specifically, this dizi has my eye:
www.soundofmountain.com/professional-chinese-aged-rosewood-flute-dizi-instrument-with-accessories/

[edcat7]

I've fallen out of love with my wooden dizi; I just prefer the more natural tone of bamboo. Buying over the internet can be hit or miss: a friend of mine has a wooden dizi which sounds wonderful but he spent hours in a shop trying all the dizis before buying one.

If you do want a dizi for camping I suggest you get a beater.

[Blue]

Maestro Dongsiau has been recently spotted playing a root xiao on the mountains of Taiwan. Keep in mind, though, that he's a xiao maker, so he can always create a new xiao if his existing one cracks.