First Dizi

[greentea]

Hello everyone,

Im new to this site (Nice to meet you all ) I am thinking about getting a Chinese instrument call the dizi. I know basic information about it but i do have a few questions. While i was looking around at dizi i found that there are about 4 different length/types of dizi. I have taken a liking to the qudi style dizi. But when i look online for them (amazon) I dont see any dizis with that category. I see the Alto ones but i dont know if those are the same to qudi's. Also what would be a good key to get one in to learn the basics. Ive read that C is good to start but i do D a little bit more, is there a major difference with them? Also, I do like the lower pitch slow paced dizi music. Also whats the price range for a dizi thats going to last me a bit and get a feel for the instrument? I was thinking about 45-60. Any ways all input is welcomed.

[edcat7]

Hi greentea and welcome. (what an apt name

Have you had previous flute experience? There are plenty of good dizis on eBay; it is not necessary to buy from Amazon. 45-60, is that in $US or British pounds?

For a long while my favourite dizi (a D) cost only £2.99 inc delivery. If you are not sure you will continue for a length of time get this one. The price has gone up slightly but it's so easy to get the higher notes.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/21-2-Length-12-Holes-Alto-D-Dizi-Chinese-Bamboo-Flute-Instrument-/310507676457?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item484bb32329

I wouldn't use the dimo supplied but get some better ones.

If you are sure you want to take the dizi up then there are some very good ones on the market for around £70+

best wishes

Ed

[greentea]

Ok thanks, and I am from the U.S.A

[Blue]

You might want to consider something a little more expensive like this:
www.carrotmusic.com/servlet/the-9/Dizi-Shinobue-Shakuhachi-Flute/Detail

The only reason that I would recommend Carrot Music is because they are pretty responsive to customer e-mail (even if much of their e-mail content resembles a standard customer service template such as "Thank you for your interest. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Have a nice day.").

Start with an alto-D flute because the fingering space is just right for most adults.

Alternatively, you could consider
www.eason.com.sg/products/dizi/wy(g).jsp

[Blue]

If you're thinking about purchasing for another website, please tell us. Maybe someone in the forum might comment about their experiences from that site, like the moldy qinxiao that ziman was talking about

[Blue]

Also, if you happen to live in the San Francisco Bay Area or in Los Angles, you might find Chinese orchestras (including youth orchestras) that might help you and even provide you lessons.

[lbowen]

I don't know about online sellers, but the dizi I got from xinhua bookstore turned out to be pretty bad... the binding started unravelling the first day I bought it home and now the metal plating covering the joints falls off on a regular basis.... what a headache! I guess it's my own fault for buying from a bookstore though!

[Flolei]

Hello and welcome!
For 40 USD all incl. is this one from carrotmusic really better (louder, deeper and better tuned):

www.carrotmusic.com/servlet/the-10/Dizi-Shinobue-Shakuhachi-Flute/Detail

D is a good choice.

Ed's cheap dizi is interesting (I would really like to hear it before it broke), but I'm not sure that all instruments of this serie are as good as Ed's one. I think Ed was lucky. Cheap series are like a lottery: once you get a good instrument (for example the beginner xiao I got from Carrot was better than the professional one), once you get a bad one (for example. the one I got from another e-bay seller).

Have a nice day,

Flo.

[edcat7]

I suggested the above cheapo dizi as I feel self tuition on any instrument (unless you are a natural) will lead to frustration and dumping the instrument....(and then leaving the forum)

My cheapo dizi isn't going to win any awards but it so easy to play.

[greentea]

Thank you everyone for your feed back. And to answer your question Ed about any past experiences of playing flutes, I have none. I do however have one last question. When applying the dimo to the dizi i read that you should have some wrinkles in it to make it sound better. Is this true? if so how do i know if i have to many or not enough wrinkles in it? Also one last thing. I really like the traditional styled, kind of slow paced. Is there any key that sounds better playing this type or can they all for the most part play the same music?

[davidmdahl]

I am done with adjusting the membrane when I am happy with the sound. Too loose, and the sound is too buzzy. Too tight, and there is not enough of a buzz. I have seen at least one video on Youtube on adjusting the the dimo membrane, so that might be worth a search.

The D or C dizi is probably the best for starting out. The D key in particular is very practical, since a lot of tunes are in that key. I like the C key for the little lower sound. If you are playing by yourself, then the key of your dizi does not matter much. If you are a beginner with average size hands, I recommend not getting anything lower than a C dizi, since the finger stretch can be a challenge. I think that the D key is probably ideal for most people.

[edcat7]

Someone on this forum suggested that there be around 10-12 wrinkles, though I've never counted them myself. The way you apply the dimo or the quality wouldn't make much difference to a beginner. It is more difficult to get the embouchure right.

If you like slow-paced dizi music then you'll be looking for a bass dizi, A, Bb, G or F. I wouldn't reccomend G or F to start off with as the finger stretch may be too difficult. Start with a D or C.
I also highly reccomend getting some tuition, unless you don't want to progress further than 'twinkle twinkle little star'. If tuition is too costly then contact any of the regular dizi players on the forum and we'll see if we can show you the basics via skype.

That cheapo dizi is perfect for beginners. Later if you are still interested then you can get a better one.

Have you tried other wind instruments such as the xun or hulusi. The hulusi is a lot, lot easier to play than the dizi. It's mellow, melancolic tone is probably more up your street. I have scores and backing music for it.

I started my tuition on the hulusi and when I felt I wanted more challenges I switched over to the dizi. Had I started on the dizi I probably would have got frustrated.

[greentea]

Thank you Ed for telling me about the hulusi. It does seem a little bit easier to start off with. Reminds me of those little recorders i use to play in school. I was looking around at them and i found one on ebay

www.ebay.com/itm/Chinese-Yunnan-Ethnic-Gourd-Flute-Bamboo-2-Octaves-Hulusi-For-Beginner-/261128004694?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ccc712456

Its in the key of C. I saw that it also came in a Bb but im not sure if that would be good to start with. If you got any more information about it please let me know .

[edcat7]

My brother can play the recorder and he too found the hulusi easy to play. Get a C, Bb is less useful.

I would only get a hulusi with detachable pipes. The reed doesn't last long before the highest note goes quiet so additional reeds are a must. After playing I detach the pipes to dry the inside.