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Post by das on Mar 1, 2019 6:55:43 GMT
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Post by dizixiao on Mar 1, 2019 14:09:05 GMT
I have a U embouchure xiao from carrotmusic shengfei bamboo master level I bought 6 years ago. I like my wood xiao from a Master in Viet Nam more. The shengfei bamboo xiao from carrotmusic too long (91 cm) and it is harder to make sound than my wood xiao and I bought my beautiful rosewood xiao for only a bit more.
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Post by phoenixiao on Mar 1, 2019 14:16:55 GMT
Maybe this might help: youtu.be/_SG0g9rRdY8But it’s really hard to tell unless we hear/play it live. The idea of a “better” Xiao is quite diverse. As a beginner myself the most important factor is playability, i.e., I can accurately reach all notes especially 3rd octave. This will enable me to perform more difficult and complex pieces. The joy of playing motivates growth. Surprisingly after more than a year of learning and practice, I’ve grown to like my ABS plastic Xiao (Ren Xiao). It may not look attractive or sound fantastic but it’s very consistent to play with ease, perhaps due to its precise production standard (plastic mould) and improved U mouthpiece. It is very responsive so I can catch up with my dizi classmates when we play together. The Taobao seller you’re looking at is reputable and that’s where I learnt about plastic Xiao. She plays and tests these Xiao herself. Winson’s Tang Xiao/Chiba is an ongoing challenge for me but it also helped me power up my breath and keep a disciplined efficient embouchure. I feel more confident when I “downgrade” to my thinner northern Xiao. Other than xiangfei bamboo, consider also guizhu (桂竹/madake) which has source from Taiwan and Japan. Winson mainly uses this. If I’m not wrong xiangfei is guizhu but has spots, so it should be similarly dense and tough. |
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Post by dizixiao on Mar 1, 2019 20:35:00 GMT
shengfei bamboo is not the same as madake, at least not the same part. Madake shakuhachi is much thicker wall. My shengfei bamboo xiao from carrotmusic has very thin wall. All northern xiao have thin wall. If you want thick wall, fat and short then get a nanxiao. I got this from redmusicshop 5-6 years ago and I think Winson use this makino Taiwan bamboo. I think makino and madake are slight different but close to one another. www.redmusicshop.com/Xiao/Concert%20Grade%20Nan%20Xiao,%20UV-Style%20Mouthpiece,%20Root%20End,%20by%20Huang%20Chao%20Qing%20(Taiwan) pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Phyllostachys+makinoiAlso, another point if you want to play all notes on the third octave then maybe get a xiao from Winson because the finger chart carrotmusic gave me only goes up to the 16th note, that only 2 notes into the third octave. Ask people on this forum if their DXH or other xiao can play 21 note. My xiao from redmusicshop and carrotmusic certainly can not. At least not for the non-professional like me. |
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Post by das on Mar 3, 2019 8:42:25 GMT
Thank you for your help! So, shengfei is the same than xiangfei? I don’t know what to do, i like shengfei xiao but maybe it’s not the best option. What do you think about the nanxiao from carrotmusic? Too cheap for a nanxiao? carrotmusic.com/NanXiao-c20823852Thank you again! |
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Post by dizixiao on Mar 3, 2019 22:16:28 GMT
The question is do you like north xiao or do you like nanxiao? You should emphasis more about your confident and confident in your xiao. Shengfei xiao or even less expensive one is fine for a beginner. I just don't think that one worth the money, you can get a cheaper one is still fine. When you can't play a note on the xiao it is most likely have to do with you instead of the xiao. Play in front of a mirror and adjust your placement of the mouth. The very high end xiao is more forgiving when you do not place your mouth/lips very precisely. It help to have a very high end xiao because you invest a lot of money into it, you more motivated to play and you can't blame the xiao when you can't play it. The cheaper one if you practice and know your xiao well you can overcome it defect. Good player play an average xiao still play well. Up to 200 years ago, the xiao and shakuhachi can not play in the third octave. Due to the influence of the West, the xiao and shakuhachi improve to play third octave. Most of the chinese music you will only need 2 octave and most of the xiao you can play two octaves fine. Practice and get to know your xiao and eventually you will figure out where to best put your mouth/lips that would give the best performance of your xiao. If you like the tang xiao I think there is a guy from Florida who selling some Taiwanese make tang xiao. Search for 8 holes shakuhachi. $150 or $160 I think. Also you might want to bind your xiao if you live in dry and cold climate or it will crack. Mine did.
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Post by phoenixiao on Mar 4, 2019 2:50:10 GMT
Agree. The material is secondary. If you like northern Xiao maybe stick with it first. The sound of Nan Xiao (southern Xiao) is quite different. Shakuhachi or Tang Xiao also has its unique sounds.
I used the word Xiangfei instead of Shengfei as that’s how Mandarin speakers would pronounce it. The actual word is 湘妃.
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Post by das on Mar 5, 2019 10:01:29 GMT
Thank you again for the help!
At this moment a prefer north xiao. I'm practicing everyday and i want to focus on that kind of xiao.
I like shengfei xiao but i will continue looking for more options. Not be in a hurry.
Thank you again!
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Post by meoweth on Apr 21, 2019 23:03:49 GMT
buying tip: shop on taobao just like u would on amazon. Go with the most sold items. If you want nicer than cheapest, then select a higher price point, like $100 US, youll get an insane xiao.
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