 The Fingering Forum
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Author: Raven Coraxin
Date: 2002-05-02 19:28
I was wondering if I might get some input on this subject. I recently purchased a small Xiao (Chinese end-blown bamboo flute). It has a 2 and a half octave range and decent resonance. Starts on A (do) and goes to 2nd octave d (2nd fa). I was wondering if anyone could point me to resources for learning my new instrument? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Raven
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Author: Raven Coraxin
Date: 2002-05-02 19:30
I'm sorry, I said it was a 2 and a half octave. It's really one and a half octave. Sorry!
-Raven
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Author: Eoin McAuley
Date: 2002-05-03 08:13
Somebody asked this question here in 1999 and never got an answer. There seems to be very little information about the Xiao on the web. The only thing I could find is this:
http://www.larkinam.com/MenComNet/Business/Retail/Larknet/ArtChineseflute
It suggests that the xiao is a six-hole instrument with standard "Irish Tin Whistle" fingering. You can find this on this site under Irish Tin Whistle.
If you do find out how to play it, perhaps you would send in details of the fingering to Tim Reichard who runs this site and he could add it to the site.
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Author: Raven Coraxin
Date: 2002-05-11 05:00
Eoin:
Thank you for your help! I was also confronted with a lack of information on the Xiao (hence my reason for posting here). I will definitely check out that site. As for the fingering, it is indeed similar to the Irish tin whistle. Like most chinese flutes, the notes are based on the black keys of the piano, which I'm told is because they were considered more "pleasing to the ear". The "natural" form of the note (white keys) seems to be attained by opening the hole directly below the hole of the target note. It trills VERY nicely. An odd thing I've noticed about it (I don't know if this applies to all Xiaos or just mine) is that it plays "around the corner". With all holes closed, it will play a low "A" with a soft breath, and play all the way up the scale to "G". Then, to get the "A" of the next octave, all holes are closed again and the force of the breath is doubled, giving an "A" exactly one octave above where it started with the soft breath and all holes closed, and it will go up to "D" in that octave (lower 3 holes). At first I thought the jump from force of breath was because of a flaw in the manufacture, but since it is an exact octave, and continues for 3 more consecutive notes from it, I have come to doubt that judgement. In any case, it has brought me joy in playing it and it seems to be an easy instrument to intuit or "play by ear" on. Again, thank you!
-Raven
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Author: Stan Morgan
Date: 2002-07-03 04:51
Raven, I suggest you chat with Erik
whose email is info@eriktheflutemaker.com
The xiao is very much like the Andean Quena, an end blown notched vertical type flute. The japanese Shakuhachi is derived from the ancient xiao. Your search engine with Quena & Shakuhachi will turn up info re how to make / play.
By the way, the oldest xiao known to date was discovered in 1999. Search for Jaihu.
Fascinating stuff !
Enjoy
Stan
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Author: Daniel Chang
Date: 2002-10-01 14:02
Hi:
You can find book/CD/VCD in the following site. Though the instructions are in Chinese if you can understand it.
http://www.chineseculture.net/guqin/instruments
Daniel dkychang@yahoo.com
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Author: Daniel Chang
Date: 2002-11-14 14:41
Hi:
I recently bought a Dizi(Chinese transverse
flute), an enclosed piece paper has both fingering
charts for Dizi and Xiao.
If you want the fingering chart for Xiao, I can
scan it and e-mail it to you.
Raven's e-mail doesn't work.
Daniel
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Author: Camillus
Date: 2002-11-26 10:52
Hi Dan,
Hope you can help. Ny daughter has a dizi and would like to know how the fingering chart in order to learn to play. Could you possibbly scan and email your chart to us? Your help is appreciated. Thx.
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Author: jasmine
Date: 2004-03-24 11:59
we are doing a project and require a fingering chart. could it be possible to email us 1? thank you....
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Author: Daniel Chang
Date: 2004-08-29 08:22
Hi Daniel
if its possible can u send me the chart? my email address is xiaoxiao26@hotmail.com
thanks
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Author: Joseph Tan
Date: 2004-09-14 01:14
Hi Daniel
I have bought a xiao but it does not come with a fingering chart. I like to learn
It will be greatful if you scan and sent me a copy of fingering chart too. many thks
Regards
Joseph TAN
-----------------
Daniel Chang wrote:
-------------------------------
Hi:<br />
<br />
I recently bought a Dizi(Chinese transverse<br />
flute), an enclosed piece paper has both fingering<br />
charts for Dizi and Xiao.<br />
<br />
If you want the fingering chart for Xiao, I can<br />
scan it and e-mail it to you.<br />
<br />
Raven's e-mail doesn't work.<br />
<br />
Daniel<br />
Daniel Chang wrote:
-------------------------------
Hi:<br />
<br />
I recently bought a Dizi(Chinese transverse<br />
flute), an enclosed piece paper has both fingering<br />
charts for Dizi and Xiao.<br />
<br />
If you want the fingering chart for Xiao, I can<br />
scan it and e-mail it to you.<br />
<br />
Raven's e-mail doesn't work.<br />
<br />
Daniel<br />
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Author: aaron
Date: 2004-11-11 19:45
Hey, I bought an Xiao but I can't even get it to make any noise. If any one had the fingering chart. I thank you if you could email me one also.
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Author: David Dahl
Date: 2004-12-12 07:09
There are fingering charts for xiao at:
http://www.goamcan.com/imports/How-to-play-xiao.html
Best wishes,
David Dahl
Portland, Oregon
USA
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Author: Amy_anime
Date: 2005-01-26 10:45
I have a chinese flute but it does'nt sound as beutiful as the ones i've heard because of the tape i use to block and sound from escaping...and when i use garlic skin, it sound like its screeching?...whats the best material to cover the second hole of the flute..next to the mouth hole?
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