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Post by theblackadder on Mar 22, 2016 2:37:06 GMT
I have a C qudi which I have been learning on for the past few months. I decided that I'd like a lower pitched flute, I also prefer the sound of my qudi with a sticky tape rather than a dimo. Should I get a Low G dizi or a Low F xiao? Don't worry about finger stretch, my hands are freakishly long. Anyway, I found these imitation jade dizi and xiao on taobao, they are plastic and the reviews seem mostly positive. Does anyone have experience with plastic chinese flutes?   Here is a way cheaper colourful plastic one.  |
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Post by Blue on Mar 22, 2016 16:11:29 GMT
I do have a plastic dizi and a plastic xiao (actually the red tiexindi in one of your pictures. For some reason, I find it difficult to play the highest notes on the plastic dizi and xiao. This is more surprising for me with respect to the xiao because the bore is supposed to be a perfect cylinder like in the case of the wooden xiao. I guess maybe it's something to do with how the notch was carved.
People who purchase the tiexindi "crystal" xiao will get a long stick, a piece of cloth, and imitation leather carrying case. Since it takes forever for one's saliva to evaporate from the bore of the plastic xiao, one has to use the long stick and cloth to clean the bore.
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Post by paulv on Mar 23, 2016 11:27:48 GMT
I was at a party last week and there was a guy there who was originally from Tibet and he played a dizi he made from PVC pipe bought from Home Depot -- it sounded really good. He explained how he measured where the holes had to be drilled but I couldn't understand it (something about his finger widths/distances) -- I don't play any wind instruments, so I can't offer you anything useful.
Regards,
paul...
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Post by theblackadder on Mar 23, 2016 12:07:11 GMT
From my work experience, I know that plastic is harder to machine cleanly compared to wood and metal, maybe that's why Blue's xiao is difficult to play.
Even though I know this, I went ahead and ordered both the plastic xiao and dizi, I was stressed by work and needed some retail therapy...
Non-tunable body and not made of bamboo, I feel adventurous!
Await my review!
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Post by Flolei on Mar 23, 2016 12:13:20 GMT
Just a question, nothing bad towards you, pure curiosity. Why to want such an ugly instrument if Chinese flutes are almost always so beautifully made and decorated?
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Post by Blue on Mar 23, 2016 12:33:16 GMT
The only reason is that it will never crack in varying weather. You could bring it with you on a camping trip for instance.
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Post by Flolei on Mar 23, 2016 13:22:47 GMT
Yes, I know that you do this for this reason, but you have many other instruments. My question was for "theblackadder" who seems to choose this as a first low pitched instrument.
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Post by theblackadder on Mar 23, 2016 15:39:55 GMT
Just a question, nothing bad towards you, pure curiosity. Why to want such an ugly instrument if Chinese flutes are almost always so beautifully made and decorated? I wanted a durable flute I guess, for playing at the workplace. I would never bring my qudi to the workplace, too much dust and heat and sparks. But novelty is the main reason, and I'm actually spoilt for choice locally... If these flutes don't cut it I can cycle down to my music store to get a proper bamboo xiao, maybe keep these in the office. I find these plastic flutes quite charming though... Playing a traditional chinese instrument here is seen as old-fashioned, too many youngsters with their fancy western instruments. |
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Post by Flolei on Mar 23, 2016 18:10:19 GMT
I understand better. May I ask where is this "here"?
Wait and see, and hope to hear soon about your new xiao!
Best wishes!
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Post by theblackadder on Mar 24, 2016 0:05:22 GMT
Singapore!
I understand Eason is a favourite for members of this board.
I frequent a store named Gtar enterprise, they focus more on string instruments (pipas hanging from every wall) but its closer to my home.
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Post by theblackadder on Mar 31, 2016 8:53:29 GMT
   They all arrived, I also bought a cheapo one piece bamboo F xiao which offered free engraving of a customised poem and my name. The plastic F xiao and low G dizi are terribly heavy, and I feel the weight a lot more on the dizi. After a few songs I can't even hold it up due to cramps in my fingers. The low G dizi sounds pretty good, very deep and loud. Only issue is the weight, but this guy is going with me to work and hiking for sure. The walls are 4-5mm thick, pretty sure I could beat a guy to death with this thing. Plastic Xiao sounds so-so and is very hard to play, on the other hand the cheap bamboo xiao sounds very smooth almost creamy and is actually easier to play than all my other dizis. Almost recorder-easy... |
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Post by bsfloyd on Apr 3, 2016 14:33:22 GMT
Those look great. I'll have to look more into those plastic ones. I can always alter the embouchure end if need be. I'm actually working on some myself from food grade PVC. It's a great material for making flutes for cheap, and when I'm out of bamboo  |
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Post by theblackadder on Apr 7, 2016 5:13:17 GMT
On the plastic xiao, I'm now able to blow every note now consistent except low octave 5 where all holes are covered.
Find that I have to change my blowing angle to a less steep one, else no matter how I vary the breath pressure, I can't get to the low 5.
With the bamboo xiao, no problems. It's very forgiving
Is the fault with my technique?
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Post by bsfloyd on Apr 7, 2016 13:14:33 GMT
I find all my flutes, regardless of embouchure style, to all be different from one another. IMO, unless the flute is mass produced by machine to exacting specs, they will all play differently. I find it to be getting to know and understand each flute as its own person.
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Post by theblackadder on Apr 7, 2016 13:48:06 GMT
I find all my flutes, regardless of embouchure style, to all be different from one another. IMO, unless the flute is mass produced by machine to exacting specs, they will all play differently. I find it to be getting to know and understand each flute as its own person. Mmm, good answer, forgot how much I hate traditional western music and rote learning with teachers reinforcing the one true way and why you should splurge on thousand dollar equipment to sound the same.... I like the plastic xiao cos it looks cool and feels solid, I actually want to be good with it just because it appeals to my sense of aesthetics better. Got a bit upset because it wouldn't play as easily, but damn it I love novelty. |
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Post by bsfloyd on Apr 7, 2016 21:24:24 GMT
Is the white plastic flute you are referring to made from PVC or some form of ABS? I have made flutes from both materials and prefer the tone and playability of PVC. I have been wanting to find some delrin tubing but so far have only been able to find bar stock and I don't have the machinery to bore it out. I have seen delrin flutes fetch a pretty penny.
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Post by theblackadder on Apr 24, 2016 3:12:31 GMT
Is the white plastic flute you are referring to made from PVC or some form of ABS? I have made flutes from both materials and prefer the tone and playability of PVC. I have been wanting to find some delrin tubing but so far have only been able to find bar stock and I don't have the machinery to bore it out. I have seen delrin flutes fetch a pretty penny. It's PVC with some kind of sand blasted finish for that jade-ish look |
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Post by archkde on Apr 24, 2016 21:05:03 GMT
theblackadder, where did you get that bamboo xiao? It looks beautiful!
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Post by theblackadder on Apr 25, 2016 15:01:32 GMT
theblackadder, where did you get that bamboo xiao? It looks beautiful! ! They do name and poem engraving for any xiao you buy too |
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Post by thanhnhat123 on Aug 23, 2016 6:18:27 GMT
My name is Thanh. I live in the United States. I really want to buy a plastic dizi from taobao. Can anyone help me?
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Post by meoweth on Oct 15, 2016 9:45:17 GMT
google taobao agent, why would you want a plastic one though? just get a nice $50 bamboo one
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