Fingering those high notes

[Dick]

Hi Everybody. I'm new here, so I hope y'all will please be patient if my questions seem dense . Over in the "Introductions" thread, YouLanFengChune mentioned a xiao that plays up to highest highest 3. Wow. I've seen fingering charts up to the 1 below that note. Can you tell me how the "highest highest" 2 and 3 would be fingered? Also, how about on dizi? Are those high pitches possible?

thanks so much!

[Charlie Huang]

I can blow up to 3 (with a dot above it) on my F key Xiao. Tried hard to get pass that but have failed.

[YouLanFengChune]

4 with a dot on top = cover all holes except your left thumb and little finger.
5 with a dot on top = cover all holes except your left thumb, where you cover half hole...
6 with dot on top = cover all except 4th finger of left hand and little finger of right hand

Play harder for these notes, but with a good xiao, it should be easy. Ability of the xiao to play these notes is due to its diameter and material resonance.
The rest of the notes, you may have to play around. Every Xiao is different

try these first
if your xiao cannot play even these notes, you can use it as a walking stick already.... (just joking)

as for dizi, assuming you're on a six hole one.
X= cover, 0 =open, and i'm describing from left to right

highest highest 1 = x0x 000
highest highest 2 = 0xx xx0

and for highest 4(witha dot on top, not 2), i know the recommended fingering is 0xx xx0 as well, but 3 conservatories in China have already changed the syllabus to 0x0 xxx to be more in pitch. Try it out with a tuner...

[Charlie Huang]

*grabs xiao and plays*



OMG! THAT WORKS! YAY! ;D

Arigatou gozaimasu, Youlan-sensei!!! ;D ;D ;D

*does a dance*

Can it go anymore higher?

[YouLanFengChune]

high 7 = all fingers covered except both middle fingers

highest highest 1 = from the last fingering of 7, lift your thumb and little finger

after this note, play around. The other notes are not within controllable range, seldom played and different on every xiao..

Hmm...
I trying on Qin Xiaio. One day, when i go iUK, i'm gonna find Charli-san and play qin xiao with you. Lets prepare.. maybe the xiao version of Guang Ling San is great!

wanna try?

By the way, Qin xiao is not only in F. we have Qin Xiao in G and F as well. Similarly, we also have Dong Xiao (thicker, louder) in Both Keys.

[Charlie Huang]

If you do come to the UK, I will welcome you!

Whoa, GLS on the xiao? Sounds interesting, though I play the Shenqi Mipu (longer 22 mins) version on the qin. I've only learnt about half of it (don't have time to learn much these days). Will take a long time to dapu as well as figuring out how to duet the correct notes and timing...

[Charlie Huang]

Another question. How should you grasp the xiao with your right hand (what part of the fingers should cover the holes)? It's very simple with the left, and I can easily open and close the holes accurately and fully without any trouble. But, with the lower holes, it's a bit hit and miss, since I cannot 'feel' them properly at the second section of my fingers. I tend to either cover the eigth hole with my little finger to support and judge the distance of the holes, but I sometimes get that wrong. I am also trying out covering the seventh hole with my ring finger and lifting the little, and this seems easier to judge the position of the holes, yet, the arkwardness is in trying to cover the holes fully...

[YouLanFengChune]

hmmm.... I can't really explain, so i decided to send 2 pictuires. hope it helps.

[Charlie Huang]

X 25

S'abit massive, isn't it?

Thanks, that has helped me out.