Does the xiao transpose (in western notation)??

[sparrows]

Surprisingly, I just can't find a clear answer on this by googling.

In western music, when an instrument is "in" a key, that means it transposes -- for example, an alto flute in G plays a G when its sheet music reads C.

Is this true for xiao?? I cannot find a definitive answer online about whether xiao "in" F, G, etc. is just a naming convention, to indicate a given instrument's range and easy keys, and a written C would just be played as a C -- or whether xiao transposes like a western instrument does. Assume I'm writing a piece in western notation for a mix of western and Chinese instruments, that includes xiao as one of instruments.

[xindi]

I guess it's because in xiao playing repertoire, it is not common to transpose western music.

You'll notice that the xiao, like the dizi, has a key - they are diatonic instruments, or fixed in that key (i.e. it does not transpose easily).

Having said that, xiao and dizi players will tell you that they can play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, or Amazing Grace without difficulty as a solo instrumentalist. The transposing problems come in with ensemble playing since the key for the xiao is fixed.

Btw - the naming convention of the F or G in the xiao, does not correspond to the key of F or G in western music notation. A 'C' xiao is less common than a F or G xiao; for a G xiao, the three covered fingers of the left hand holes, plus the left thumb, gives the 'G' note; all covered notes give the 'D' note. So you would need a 'F' xiao, to reach down to bottom 'C' when all finger holes are covered, if that makes any sense.

[davidmdahl]

A xiao in G could be used to play in the keys of G, D, and their relative minors. If a G xiao were played in the key of D, there would not be any accomodation in the score. The player would need to remap the fingering so that a "1" in the score would be played with all finger holes covered, rather than just the left hand holes. That's the convention in jianpu, the numeric notation.

If you are writing for xiao in staff notation, I suggest writing the part in the named key of the xiao, such as G Xiao (G being the pitch played with the left hand finger holes covered). You might want to specify this detail in the score so as to be clear. The pitches you write would not be transposed from actual pitch. That way if an ensemble elects to use a Boehm flute instead of the xiao, the part will still work.

Best wishes,

David

[sparrows]

Thank you. I'm not clear on what you're saying here:
"I suggest writing the part in the named key of the xiao, such as G Xiao (G being the pitch played with the left hand finger holes covered). You might want to specify this detail in the score so as to be clear. The pitches you write would not be transposed from actual pitch."

Let me ask it this way: Let's say the instrument I'm writing for is a xiao in F, and I want the pitch D to sound. Should the pitch I write in the score be a D, or the A a fifth above?

[sparrows]

(It sounds to me like you're saying the pitch I write in the score should be a D, but I wanted to make sure.)

[davidmdahl]

That's it. If you want a "D", write a "D". A "D" on a G xiao is the same pitch as "D" on a F xiao. They are just fingered differently.

Be sure to write within the limitations of the xiao, although a skilled player could use the eight holes, and half-holing, to play notes outside of the G and D scales.

Best wishes,

David

[sparrows]

Thanks for your help!

[manunart]

Hi Sparrows,

I am very new in Dizi. However, I have some staff notation background.

The Key of Dizi seams to be the major scale of the Key engrave on the Dizi.
Scale is a sequence of ordered musical notes
In one Octave, The chromatic scale have 12 notes (White and Black key in piano)

Here is the C Chromatic scale:
C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B
Note that: The C# is the same as Db which have the same sound, only the name is different (depend on the scale).


The formula of major scale is 1-3-5-6-8-10-12

If your Dizi is Key C, Number 1 is the name the key = C, Number 3 is D, Number 5 is E.....
When you pick the note from above will be = C, D, E, F, G, A, B,...
This is C major scale which suite in the Dizi, and this Dizi unable to play half tone (#,b) note (Black keys in piano).
If you want to play the half note (Black keys), you have to cover half of the hole (It's difficult) as the finger chart below.

When the formula of natural minor scale is 1-3-4-6-8-9-11

For the A Chromatic scale will be A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab,...
Then, A natural minor scale will be = A, B, C, D, F, F, G,...

You will see that all note of C Major is = C, D, E, F, G, A, B match with
all note of A natural minor scale = A, B, C, D, F, F, G
This explain that why the Key C Dizi able to play with the A minor.

However, for the D key Dizi
For the D Chromatic scale is D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab,A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db,...
The formula of major scale is 1-3-5-6-8-10-12
When you pick the note from above, the D Major scale will be D, E, F#/Gb, G, A, B, C#/Db
You will see that it's have F#/Gb and C#/Db key that cannot play with Dizi key C
If you want to play the F#/Gb and C#/Db, you have to cover half of the hole (It's difficult) as the finger chart below.
But you can easily play this song with Dizi key D
Because Key D Dizi have all of these notes D, E, F#/Gb, G, A, B, C#/Db (Match with all D Major scale)