Post by ziman on Nov 30, 2012 22:46:44 GMT
Ah, having a xiao player select an instrument for you in China is one of the best ways to get one.
On the topic of fatness and loudness, I agree that fatter xiao are louder. Also, given two xiao in the same key, if one is fatter and has a wider bore than the other, then it will usually be shorter. Thus, if you like good volume, a solid rich tone, and comfort all at once, a fat xiao would suit you nicely, since it's also likely to be shorter (thus your hands have to extend slightly less far )
Here I must note that there are two broad categories of xiao: "Northern xiao" a.k.a. Bei Xiao (北箫), and "Southern xiao" a.k.a. Nan Xiao (南箫). The differences are that Bei Xiao tend to be longer, thinner, and made of the stem part of bamboo, not the root. They also tend to be made of purple bamboo. Nan xiao tend to be shorter, fatter, and made of the root end of the bamboo. Nan xiao tend to be made from mottled bamboo (a bamboo type quite similar to that favored by Japanese shakuhachi makers).
Each of those broad categories have subtypes-- for instance, qinxiao are usually seen as a subtype of Bei Xiao, although a few makers have used very thin mottled bamboos to make root end qinxiao in the Nan Xiao form (Wensong has done this, for instance). Nanguan xiao, the type of xiao used for traditional Nan Guan music in Fujian and in Taiwan, are always Nan Xiao.
The reason I brought up this topic is because if you would like good volume, solid tone, and comfort, the fatter Nan Xiao may be a good choice for you. Problem is, they're hard to find outside of China and Taiwan. Depending on which part of China he is going to, your friend might be able to find one for you in China. (Nan Xiao are concentrated in the Southeast, especially around Fujian.)
Cheers,
Ziman.
On the topic of fatness and loudness, I agree that fatter xiao are louder. Also, given two xiao in the same key, if one is fatter and has a wider bore than the other, then it will usually be shorter. Thus, if you like good volume, a solid rich tone, and comfort all at once, a fat xiao would suit you nicely, since it's also likely to be shorter (thus your hands have to extend slightly less far )
Here I must note that there are two broad categories of xiao: "Northern xiao" a.k.a. Bei Xiao (北箫), and "Southern xiao" a.k.a. Nan Xiao (南箫). The differences are that Bei Xiao tend to be longer, thinner, and made of the stem part of bamboo, not the root. They also tend to be made of purple bamboo. Nan xiao tend to be shorter, fatter, and made of the root end of the bamboo. Nan xiao tend to be made from mottled bamboo (a bamboo type quite similar to that favored by Japanese shakuhachi makers).
Each of those broad categories have subtypes-- for instance, qinxiao are usually seen as a subtype of Bei Xiao, although a few makers have used very thin mottled bamboos to make root end qinxiao in the Nan Xiao form (Wensong has done this, for instance). Nanguan xiao, the type of xiao used for traditional Nan Guan music in Fujian and in Taiwan, are always Nan Xiao.
The reason I brought up this topic is because if you would like good volume, solid tone, and comfort, the fatter Nan Xiao may be a good choice for you. Problem is, they're hard to find outside of China and Taiwan. Depending on which part of China he is going to, your friend might be able to find one for you in China. (Nan Xiao are concentrated in the Southeast, especially around Fujian.)
Cheers,
Ziman.