Bamboo Xiao Flute Unboxing and Review - Plus Differences Between the Shakuhachi and the Xiao!
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- čas přidán 10. 07. 2024
- This beautiful bamboo flute called the xiao has a root note of G, and a really unique way of playing! It's listed as a shakuhachi and a xiao, but there's some key differences that I'll talk about in the video. You can grab your own on Amazon: amzn.to/38fhWmW
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Shakuhachi was originally derived from Chinese Xiao in the 8 century. It’s original Chinese name is called
尺八. It means one feet and 6 inches. Over the years it has evolved into what we have nowadays Xiao. The Japanese version remains the same.
I used to play xiao beautifully as I recall. Your effective demo inspired me, to once again purchase and play anew.
I used to collect and play bamboo flutes from around the world, I learned how to make some and of fine woods to add. I enjoy the meditative sounds and vibes in the flute.
I also play a concert flute, often mimicking many traditional oriental flutes! and their fingerings.
Blessings, peace.🙏🕊🎶
It's a pity that a fingering chart doesn't come with this xiao(this is a southern xiao, to be specfic). You mention it is a G key xiao, so the notes are: from bottom to up: D, E, F, F#, G, A, Bb, B, C(by opening the left hand thumb at the back). The fingering for a higher octave remains the same (except for high C), to be achieved by a more pressurized air stream. A xiaio can provide 2 and a half octaves' range of notes for a specfied key.
When you practice, normally no need to open ring finger hole of right hand and middle finger hole of left hand. It is easy for new player.
Absolutely love how lovely your videos are ! Can watch your videos just for your smile and laughter....so genuine and positive ❤️
I am so pleased that you've embarked upon your journey with bamboo flutes! The xiao has by far, one of the easiest embouchures you'll encounter on a virtically played, bamboo or wooden flute. Also, the finger holes are quite close together, so even the biggest ones are accessible to smaller hands. Now the shakuhachi is another story... in terms of embouchure, pentatonic scale and finger spacing. You'll discover this soon enough. BTW, I own a whole lot of shakuhachi flutes and play some more than others. I would be happy to mail you one for free. I love to share instruments with other folks. 😀
We need more of people like you in this world ☺️🌎
in china, normally bamboo flutes mean "dizi", "xiao " and "di" are different things, and xiao isn't simple as you think, just average foreigners don't really know how to play xiao, and dizi is way more difficult than shakuhachi.....so .. what can I say...
I love your demo, thanks for sharing!
This gives root note and whole new meaning....
With your left hand index and middle fingers on the xaio, it's usually played by covering the holes with the middle section of your fingers rather than the tips. It helps to ease how much you have to be bend fingers.
If you have small hands and skinny, boney fingers like me it's impossible to cover the holes with anything but your fingertips. I have an 8-hole Xiao in G (bottom note D) and the finger stretch is the most gentle of all flutes I've played, so it's no problem to use my fingertips.
six holes of xiao is basically disappearing, replaced by 8 holes. @@F0nkyNinja
I just bought one of these and a dizi ☺️
ooh, I hope you really enjoy it :D
Although the NanXiao and Shakuhachi are quite similar, they are two different instruments, with different blowholes and finger holes.There are also differences in the inner diameter curve。
I like your video very much. You should do a follow up video on the xiao; we all would love to see an improved demo of your xiao performance. Thanks for the video.
I have a xiao too, I am still trying to learn how to play... but I love the sounds of these type of instruments!
So beautiful. The Xiao is a little tricky for me with the changing embouchure but it does sound gorgeous :D
This is the northern style Xiao. Some Xiao are open at the blowing end like a Quena. There are also Tang Dynasty Xiao which are basically Shakuhachi, it's where they came from. A good Shakuhachi are a few hundred dollars while a good Xiao is cheaper, due it not requiring to be made from the root of the bamboo and because it doesn't have internal laquer applied, and a more simple blowing edge. The Utaguchi (blowing edge) on Shakuhachi are often inlaid with Ebony, bone and even small amounts of gold. Xiao are not typically made from the root end of the bamboo like this one, it's a bit of a luxury since many flutes can be made from one bamboo but only one with a root end.
the blowing holes decide the timbre, we have U cut, V cut, UV cut, Tang cut( modern chinese shakuhachi), etc...and Nanxiao's making is basically the same, only we coat different "qi" inside. whether xiao should be made with root end or not just be determined only by its formation, it's dongxiao, nanxiao or qinxiao, by the way, northern style isn't this one...totally misunderstanding by some books.
Great video Molly I'm a xiao player. The two part head can be used to fine-tune the xiao you can adjust the length . It is a shame it didnt come with a fingering chart.
Thank you for the tip! That's much like the western flute then. I was disappointed about the fingering chart, but it should be relatively straightforward to figure out :D
Shakuhachis are expensive. Get the plastic Yuu. And a xiao is cool too. In fact, just about my favorite "exotic" flute. Btw, the xiao has very reasonable finger spacing. I agree that a low Irish whistle is a true finger breaker. I probaly have large hands than you, and I have to cheat, using the little finger and skipping the ring finger. No such shortcuts needed for a Xiao with D as lowest note.
Japanese themselves used 7 holes and 9 holes shakuhachi to record some CD music... but they refuse to make it popular....but we chinese, we modified six holes, we keep going. and by the way, 6 holes shakuhachi has nothing to do with 5 holes japanese ones, don't be fooled by some fake history. but guess what ? Korea has five holes bamboo flutes.. and Japan smuggled many artisans from Korea...
Molly, you have try the xun? The xun is a ancient music instrument born in the first chinese dinasty, the xia. The Xiao was made during the fourth chinese dinasty the Tang or the Han dinasty , i don' t remember well, sorry 😂
Hey Molly nice Video, i want to bye the xiao but the link does not work😢 can you tell me the link new…
For just starting out, not bad. I just got a Xiao and I am not sounding as good as you. Yours does look nicer than mine.
I recommend you to consider xiao that is made in Taiwan.
I have been trying to raise a note on my new xiao for weeks. It is such disppointment. Can you suggest anything to help me?
Great video. So when you say that the Xiao is not as "intuitive" as other Western, windblown instruments, how difficult do you think it'll be to pick up for those of us who fall on the more intuitive/Western/diatonic worldview?
I only ask because I'm not sure if it'll be worth the investment. 🤔
That's a great question! I think it would be difficult to pick up, but certainly nothing that wouldn't be overcome with some practice. I think it really depends on your level of persistence :D
@@MusicalMollyKhan I am very appreciative for your response. Thanks so much!
This xiao is so nice, how mach is it?
You can get a good one for under 100 USD.
👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
So that's what they used in all those kung fu movies?
8 holes nanxiao is an improvement for ancient 6 holes, it in effect, has the same fingerpressing positions with the six holes dizi, but more half notes. it goes from sol to the second octave sol to third octave sol and normall ends at the third ovtave mi, so it normally has 20 notes ,not that narrow as you think. It has strong relationship to express chinese music, to learn that ,you'd better understand what dizi is, and how you can play dizi. then you will find the instrument so interesting and rich in expressions. By the way, if you change che blowing hole to the shakuhachi blowing hole, it's modern china's shakuhachi。
Bamboo is water proof I blieve. But yeah mold is yuck.
That flute is not a xiao. They have sold you a hybrid with Shakuhachi.
8 holes nanxiao is an improvement for ancient 6 holes, it in effect, has the same fingerpressing positions with the six holes dizi, but more half notes. it goes from sol to the second octave sol to third octave sol and normall ends at the third ovtave mi, so it normally has 20 notes ,not that narrow as you think. It has strong relationship to express chinese music, to learn that ,you'd better understand what dizi is, and how you can play dizi. then you will find the instrument so interesting and rich in expressions. By the way, if you change che blowing hole to the shakuhachi blowing hole, it's modern china's shakuhachi。