sustaining a note on the dizi?

[bacchus]

Hi all,

Today, I have become a happy owner of a Wen Yuan D-key dizi from Easonmusicstore. Although I have some musical background, I never tried any wind instruments. My question is: how long should I be able to sustain a note? Currently, it's 13 seconds, which seems awfully short. Any advices on how to improve on this?

I think I might be wasting a lot of air through my mouth, because I feel my breath on my arms while playing (or is that normal?). As far as I know, I have plenty of lung capacity, so that shouldn't be the problem.

Any advices?
Thanks

[Blue]

13 seconds isn't short at all! 16 seconds would be the limit. But if you feel breath on your arm, then you need to redirect more of the air directly to the hole. That would me you should direct more of your breath down into the hole more.

[davidmdahl]

Welcome to the forum, bacchus, and to the dizi. Congratulations on your new dizi. I suggest that you don't need to worry about how long you can hold a note. At this stage, practice making the notes focused and beautiful. It is much more important to make a good sound than to play a weak sound for a long time. In time, your breath control will improve and you will be able to play with a good sound for longer phrases.

Beginning flute players usually make the hole between the lips larger than necessary, and this is where a lot of breath is wasted. Be patient and relaxed. Don't tighten up the lips too much. Watch yourself in a mirror to see that it looks like when the sound is best. If possible, a flute teacher of any sort can help you at this stage.

Have fun!

Best wishes,

David

[Flolei]

Welcome to the forum. I wish you to enjoy dizi playing! David is right: now you have to concentrate on each note, to make it sound accurate, focused and expressive. I give you the advice to play with the dimo because the "relationship" between lowest octave and higher notes is really very different than when you play a membrane-free flute. You can take your breath slowly before each note to developp and improve your breathing and blowing control. Best wishes, Flolei

[bacchus]

Thanks for all the advices!