Found nice write up / thesis about dizi

[keyofa]

Was searching the web and came across a very informative write up / thesis about dizi which I thought would be of great interest to share here.

The Chinese membrane flute (dizi)/

Toward the bottom of the above page is a link to a thesis which is very well done. In case anyone wants to go direct to the thesis, here is that link.

Enjoy!

[edcat7]

Thanks, it looks like it should answer any questions anyone might have about the dizi.

[Blue]

Define a dizi as an acoustical waveguide. The characteristic impedance of such waveguide is dependent on the mechanical properties of the bamboo material. The addition of lacquer or paint on the internal walls affects the properties of the evanescent wave at the internal wall boundary. The addition of a metal tenon creates a region in the dizi waveguide whose characteristic impedance is significantly different from the majority of the dizi waveguide. The difference in the characteristic impedance between the bamboo region and the metal tenon region creates undesirable internal reflections and therefore destructive interference within the waveguide system. That's the reason one avoids including the metal tenon for the sake of better resonance.

[edcat7]

Dec 16, 2013 15:15:21 GMT Blue said:

Define a dizi as an acoustical waveguide. The characteristic impedance of such waveguide is dependent on the mechanical properties of the bamboo material. The addition of lacquer or paint on the internal walls affects the properties of the evanescent wave at the internal wall boundary. The addition of a metal tenon creates a region in the dizi waveguide whose characteristic impedance is significantly different from the majority of the dizi waveguide. The difference in the characteristic impedance between the bamboo region and the metal tenon region creates undesirable internal reflections and therefore destructive interference within the waveguide system. That's the reason one avoids including the metal tenon for the sake of better resonance.

Yes you're probably right but I doubt if many could tell the difference. Also travelling around in a one-piece bass dizi is inconvenient.

[Blue]

Apparently flute makers and certain maestro players have a superior ear than us.

This flute maker refuses to add a metal tenon:
www.chin-yuan.net/index_down.php?sele=hstyle&hstyle=48&HP_mum=0&HPnum=25

Fandizhi provides metal tenons, but he admits that it interferes with sound quality.

Finally this video by Tsai Wang Lung talks about the pros and cons of metal tenons, including impact on sound quality

[edcat7]

Pity I don't understand Mandarin. Perfect tuning on a one piece dizi, especially the longer ones must be a hit or miss affair. Temperature and humidity must have an effect?

It wouldn't affect my playing: the few times I've performed in public, I could bearly hear myself though the audience's non stop chattering.

[thebamboogrove]

ABSOLUTELY AGREE with 尺八。If you knew the number of dizis i had to "expire" or use as XINDI as the tone became horrible after the bamboo matured but the tenon part didn't, you would agree as well!