xiao grip

[wall]

I'm not sure how to grip my xiao, and I need a bit of help. Before I develop the muscle memory of wrong habits, I'd like to get the mechanics right.

In the past I have played around with wooden transverse folk flute, tabor pipe, and Korean danso. Each is gripped differently (for instance the tabor pipe is actually gripped with the pinky underneath).

Now I've bought a 6-hole G short beixiao. I think I finally found an instrument I want to spend time and develop skill with.

The grip I am considering goes like this: The xiao will be gripped by three fingers, right ring finger, right thumb, and left middle finger. And the 6 holes will be "keyed", from low to high, by the right pinky, right middle, right index, left ring, left index, left thumb. I'm thinking that if I ever got an 8-hole xiao, those 6 fingers that I've already got in play would still "key" the same notes.

So is this workable or is there another grip/fingering to be recommended?

I've googled for a xiao tutorial, I've watched Winson's videos and looked at the Amcan xiao material. But I'm still not clear about grip and fingering.

Many thanks for any advice -

[billdsmall]

Well, wall, the forum folk aren't exactly lining up to reply to your post, but I'm happy to throw in my 2 cents worth. It may not be very useful because I've never really thought about how to grip a xiao. Nor do I have any 6 hole xiao either, I just have (too many) 8-holers. Doesn't the grip change from one note to the next? Maybe I just don't really understand your post. All I care about is being able to cover and uncover each hole comfortably. That's crucial. I keep each hand, wrist and forearm as much as possible in a straight line. Bending the wrist and/or fingers into unnatural positions can lead to big-time discomfort. I have to use the piper's grip on my right (lower) hand to avoid discomfort. As I earlier wrote, this reply may not be useful :-)

[wall]

Thanks for the reply billdsmall. To clarify, I guess my issue is that with a 6-hole xiao, unlike 8-hole xiao, there are more than enough fingers to go around. So there are options. What I'm trying to get guidance on with my original long-winded post is whether there are standard fingerings that more experienced players would recommend or not recommend. Also, the unused fingers can "grip", and add stability to avoid fumbling the xiao, I would think. I guess my original post wasn't very clear.

[billdsmall]

Aha, so I was right! Knowing nothing about 6-hole xiao, my post was completely useless. Sorry about that. I hope someone here can give you guidance, wall, regarding your gripping problem. Or should I say your gripping gripping problem. In an attempt to redeem myself, I'd like to mention a great flutemaker, Geoffrey Ellis. His wooden xiao are the best, gorgeous, robust and responsive. He also makes shakuhachi, rim blowns, irish and more. His website is ellisflutes.com. I traded him my 2.4' rootend Monty Levenson shakuhachi for two of his xiao, one is Redwood, one is Bubinga. Both are fabulous, best flutes I've ever played. Check out his website, great stuff!

[wall]

I look at Geoffrey Ellis' website from time to time. Maybe some day I'll save up for one of his xiao.

The xiao i just got is this one:
www.amazon.com/G1680-1-Customizable-Vertical-Flute-Shakuhachi/dp/B01EH0E31A/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&srs=9105951011&ie=UTF8&qid=1470620404&sr=8-3-catcorr&keywords=short+xiao

It seems good to me, although I am somewhat lacking a basis for comparison. I think the transition to the second octave is smooth on this xiao.

[Flolei]

If I didn't reply, it is because I am actually in the same situation: I don't play a 6-holes xiao. Therefore I was waiting for a more experimented advice.

Anyway, I had a Chinese friend who used to play this kind of xiao. He gripped it like that;
- grooming and ring of the left hand (piper grip; the middle finger is resting)
- grooming + middle + ring of the right hand (piper grip too).

I don't know whether it is the only way to grip it though!

[wall]

Thank you Flolei.  I'm glad to know someone else plays with similar hand positions.  I will go ahead and practice thus.  And I'll be more confident that I won't need to "unlearn" this position later on.  Thanks again!