Dizi and xiao hard to find in SF CHinatown

[davidmdahl]

Mar 15, 2018 2:43:05 GMT ntp0210 said:

I have heard from many Chinese wind instrument players that if you do not find a good teacher that will teach you the basics, such as not blowing with your lungs, but rather with your diaphragm, you will develop cardio problems and will get light headed before you can even get through half a song. My rule of thumb is finding a teacher that had some professional training that graduated from a music conservatory in China. In San Francisco and Los Angeles, I know a couple teachers that I recommend.

Welcome to the forum, ntp0210, and thanks for your helpful posts. I agree with almost everything about your comments, particularly about finding a good teacher. Dizi instruction is hard to find in all but a few locations outside of Asia. Fortunately, a teacher of any sort of flute should be able to help with the basics of posture, breathing, and embouchure.

It is physically impossible to blow with one's lungs, since they are not muscles. However, people do come up with self-defeating breathing methods when playing a wind instrument, such as lifting the shoulders. Teachers of wind instruments and voice are very familiar with working with students to develop healthy habits. Concepts of breathing don't have to be anatomically correct as long as the student gets it.

Best wishes,

David