In reponse to someone's pm about what xiao to purchase
Jun 30, 2013 13:37:56 GMT
manunart likes this
Post by Blue on Jun 30, 2013 13:37:56 GMT
Someone sent me a private message asking what dongxiao to purchase, and I'm repeating this response to the public area of the forum for everyone's benefit.
The user asked me if
item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.1.w4004-847176054.10.gcpBUy&id=6025070092
is a xun (Ocarina) disguised as a xiao. My answer is that it isn't a xun at all. It's definitely a notched flute (xiao), except that it has 9 holes instead of the regular 6 or 8 holes. More holes allows you to play more flats/sharps. It looks like it is pitched in soprano F based on its very short length and the close finger spacing. The proper name of that flute is 短簫 (duanxiao, short xiao).
I can't give any helpful comment about that duanxiao advertised on taobao, except that short xiaos are more challenging to play than regular xiao because one needs more embouchure control for a smaller blowing hole. Still, duanxiaos are more portable instruments that you could possibly carry in your backpack.
I haven't found an exact, clear definition of a dongxiao. In China, you can encounter dongxiaos whose blowing hole is mostly closed, but many Cantonese xiaos have open holes. In Taiwan, one always assumes that the dongxiao's hole must be open. Regardless if the hole is open or not, it's generally accepted that the dongxiao has a much larger diameter than the standard xiao and that the dongxiao has a larger volume and a slightly less focused tune compared to the standard xiao. Dongxiaos are easier to play because of their larger diameter.
I'm reluctant to give definite suggestions on the dongxiaos listed on Taobao. Most of the xiaos in my collection were purchased in Taiwan. Some of these same xiaos are marketed on taobao, but are way too expensive on taobao compared to Yahoo Taiwan Auction. Also, I've encountered quite a few cracked issues with xiaos, which has broken my heart several times.
If I were you, I would purchase the nanxiao found at the Carrot Music website: www.carrotmusic.com/servlet/the-368/Dizi-Shinobue-Shakuhachi-Flute/Detail
I actually consider it to be a dongxiao for all practical purposes.
You could also consider the self-declared King of Nanxiao's flutes:
www.s-o-n.net/xiao_guo01.htm
www.lifeofguangzhou.com/node_981/node_989/node_993/node_1026/2012/07/19/1342679238108831.shtml
www.ysgdq.com/
The maker's name is 郭大强
But make sure you don't spend more than US$100 purchasing his xiao. (A user named Xindi spent US$100 on a 郭大强 6-finger wooden xiao and gave it to me as a gift. Sadly that even that wooden xiao made by the King of Nanxiao cracked on me exactly one year ago!).
If you really have the US$600 to burn, you could consider purchasing one made by Donsiau (http://www.donsiau.net/). As many people in this forum can testify, Donsiau is a very approachable person.
The user asked me if
item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.1.w4004-847176054.10.gcpBUy&id=6025070092
is a xun (Ocarina) disguised as a xiao. My answer is that it isn't a xun at all. It's definitely a notched flute (xiao), except that it has 9 holes instead of the regular 6 or 8 holes. More holes allows you to play more flats/sharps. It looks like it is pitched in soprano F based on its very short length and the close finger spacing. The proper name of that flute is 短簫 (duanxiao, short xiao).
I can't give any helpful comment about that duanxiao advertised on taobao, except that short xiaos are more challenging to play than regular xiao because one needs more embouchure control for a smaller blowing hole. Still, duanxiaos are more portable instruments that you could possibly carry in your backpack.
I haven't found an exact, clear definition of a dongxiao. In China, you can encounter dongxiaos whose blowing hole is mostly closed, but many Cantonese xiaos have open holes. In Taiwan, one always assumes that the dongxiao's hole must be open. Regardless if the hole is open or not, it's generally accepted that the dongxiao has a much larger diameter than the standard xiao and that the dongxiao has a larger volume and a slightly less focused tune compared to the standard xiao. Dongxiaos are easier to play because of their larger diameter.
I'm reluctant to give definite suggestions on the dongxiaos listed on Taobao. Most of the xiaos in my collection were purchased in Taiwan. Some of these same xiaos are marketed on taobao, but are way too expensive on taobao compared to Yahoo Taiwan Auction. Also, I've encountered quite a few cracked issues with xiaos, which has broken my heart several times.
If I were you, I would purchase the nanxiao found at the Carrot Music website: www.carrotmusic.com/servlet/the-368/Dizi-Shinobue-Shakuhachi-Flute/Detail
I actually consider it to be a dongxiao for all practical purposes.
You could also consider the self-declared King of Nanxiao's flutes:
www.s-o-n.net/xiao_guo01.htm
www.lifeofguangzhou.com/node_981/node_989/node_993/node_1026/2012/07/19/1342679238108831.shtml
www.ysgdq.com/
The maker's name is 郭大强
But make sure you don't spend more than US$100 purchasing his xiao. (A user named Xindi spent US$100 on a 郭大强 6-finger wooden xiao and gave it to me as a gift. Sadly that even that wooden xiao made by the King of Nanxiao cracked on me exactly one year ago!).
If you really have the US$600 to burn, you could consider purchasing one made by Donsiau (http://www.donsiau.net/). As many people in this forum can testify, Donsiau is a very approachable person.
