I am happy to say that I bought my Xiao two weeks ago and today I am playing this beautiful song (with some difficulties). I deeply thank you for your effort in teaching
Thank you so much for these videos! I bought a dizi and a xiao on whim a while ago - and boy is it hard to find material for Eastern audiences! These videos really help make it more accessible.
Thank you so much for making these videos:) I got my Xiao 2 days ago and try playing this song. Most difficult note for me is 4 right now. Hope to improve it.
Thanks a lot for your lessons. They are very helpful. Four month ago I bought a high quality Xiao. I can handle the lower octave but when I play the higher octaves its very hard to feel relaxed and make a good tone. I hope you will have a lesson where you show how to blow and make lovely tones in both octaves. All the best!
@@henrikalbertsson6911 it depends on the flute, but this is the odd note out. It has a tendency to be slightly flat compared to the others. Check the tuning on your flute and make sure that you have all of the fingers of the left hand besides the thumb fully covering the holes.
hey Jake, thank you for all your work to help us finding our voice with the xiao, I have a F key Xiao, should i just follow the number and then play the song in F or find a way to transpose the fingering to play it in G?
Hey! I started with an F key as well. I would recommend just playing everything the same (with the lowest note being 5). If you want to play the same pitch as a G key you would just have to make that a 4 instead and it gets strange to match exactly. If you don't, it just gives your version of the tracks a deeper tone to them, which I also prefer. I often play my D key flute with the same notation and finger pattern and it drops the pitch to a more bass sound.
Hi! I'm loving the tutorials so far. I've been playing for about 2 days, and I'm loving it so far. I had a question though. I have an F flute, and I can't get the middle 4 (the B flat) to sound good for the life of me. It's not nearly as clear as the rest of the notes in the middle and low registers. I can get a clearer low 5 than the 4. Do you have any advice on the matter? :)
Yes, this is a really common difficulty. I struggled with it a lot as well. I find that the problem often is starting off too flat in general. Keep you notes slightly sharp as you rise up in the scale. When you get to the B flat, you will want to be careful of dropping the angle and getting too flat. Also check your sound holes and make sure that you are completely covering all of the left hand holes minus the thumb on the back.
What key xiao do you have? If it is an F, could try a G key as the hole spacing is a little smaller. Either way you may be able to correct you hand posture. Most people can reach all of the holes with a slight fix on the positioning. I hope you can keep playing! :)
Hello Jake! Thank you very much for these tutorials, they are exactly what a person that begins playing xiao (or an instrument in general) needs. Just a little note, shouldn't the first 7 have a dot on the bottom?
First time see your videos! Fantastic Xiao playing! This Japanese folk really starts to sound Chinese by the bamboo sake lol. Btw have I seen you on 我住在这里的理由?
How do you actually record the Xiao? What microphone and how you position it? And do you ad any further processing like EQ and dynamics besides reverb?? I tried several things but I still could not figure out how to get rid of at least a little bit of this mere airstreaming-noise, its just way too dominant.
I will have to do a video explaining this, but I can explain it shorthand here. I use a few different mics, lately I have been using the Rode Wireless Go. I have tried a few variations on mic placement. I use it like a lapel mic so that it is closer to the fingering holes or I try to keep it at chest/head level. If the mic is too low it gets very breathy. Effects I try to keep very minimal. I use Audacity to normalize it so that there are loud huge differences in volume and then I add a little reverb just to fill the space. The Rode mics (and I also sometimes use a Blue Yeti) are really good at filtering out noise and I don't need to do much clean if at all. Sometimes if I bump it I try to clean that sound but otherwise it records a really nice natural sound.
Jake. Can you help me please? I have years trying to find the name of this wind instrument that appears in the beginning of the song BOND - Dalalai They are a violin quartet. And that's the only wind instrument for a few seconds. Please if you know the name let me know. You are so skilled with The Xiao... I want start playing an instrument too. And I think it will be the one that sounds in that song. Thank you in advance. Jake.
Hello. It hase a celtic flute type feeling but it is hard to say what exactly they are using. A lot of synth stuff in their tracks too. The Xiao is unique in that it can probably emulate that sound to some degree but it won't get the same effect. The song almost has a tin whistle effect but softer and slower.
@@WuDaoMusic Thank you I really appreciate you took the time to answer. I think Xiao sounds great. I'll try to get one. Please recommend me a brand or... Something. Sorry. I'm totally new about Xiao
@@mariochavarin1019 There are some international sellers online. I have not bought any from them so I cant say for sure. I have only bought in China since I live here. XD I also sell and ship xiao internationally. I have some demo videos on my FB page with xiao for sale. I order them from a professional maker here.
Hi Jake, First of all, thanks a lot for this great series! I got my first Xiao last week and without the help of your tutorials I really wouldn't know how to get started, as teachers are hard to come by in the middle of Germany. I have a question on the notation of Four Seasons. If I understand you correctly, we are supposed to play the whole section until the next breathing space as a kind of legato, and not as individual notes. OK, that's clear. But what then is the meaning of the smaller arches over the half-notes? In Western notation I would have interpreted these as referring to legato. First I thought that maybe they are always there simply to connect two half-notes, but I looked at the notations of some of your later titles, and there this wasn't the case. I hope I haven't missed anything in your explanation. If so, apologies in advance!
Yes, you are completely correct. With the notation for xiao, most all sections are played legato unless otherwise noted with a "0" or a "v". For this piece, since it is a introductory one, it is just overemphasizing that with the half beats that way it helps to connect them for learning. You could also play with the timing a little with this track, as it is meant to be played to represent the changes in the four seasons. So change the tempo, some of the beats, or even drop the full legato and pop each note, but still keep the connection between those paired notes. This way you can create a whole different sound with each variation.
@@WuDaoMusic That's great. Thanks a lot for your very inspiring answer! I will try the variations as you suggest. I'm curious to see whether by creating different sounds I can find out which part represents which season. I have a feeling that this flute will become a good companion for my practice of Qi Gong and Taiji. Thanks again for your answer and for these great tutorials!
Hi Melanie, I just saw by accident that you wrote this comment two days ago, I am also from Germany and starting to learn xiao. :) I normally play celtic harp and sing. If you want to connect, let me know. I have my own YT channel as well. Or maybe you are in the Patreon group too.
Your flute is a lot lower than mine. Mine sounds D4 with all the holes covered (according to my phone’s tuner). What key is the one you are playing for this song? Thanks for the tutorial.
You have a G key xiao. I am actually playing a D key in this video. The lowest note is an A (3 steps down). When I made this series, I was playing this flute daily. You can use the same fingering on either flute, I just really like the deep tones from this flute.
Good ear! Yes. I jump between a few flutes. This is actually my D key flute. So it is a few steps down. I am using the regular fingering position though as if the lowest tone was 5 (Sol) like a G key flute.
@@WuDaoMusic ooo that makes a lot of sense! That's one beautiful sounding flute! I've had mine for a few days now and thanks to your tutorials I'm not able to play from the lowest note to the ''sol'' ''5'' comparing that to a few days ago where I literally couldn't produce sound that's an amazing progress for me! I love these tutorials and thank you so much for making them!
The notes above that are quite hard! the 6 really makes me make funny sounds haha, it's such a blast of an instrument to learn I can't wait to practice more.
The finger patterns are the same so the difference is in the embouchure (or how you hold the lips for placement and breath control). The medium and high octaves require a more efficient and tighter embouchure. The placement of the "needle" or direction of the breath should progressively get closer and closer towards the body (downwards) as you climb higher in pitch. This will take some experimenting. Often blowing harder is the easy way to get the sound but becoming more proficient with the placement and direction of the breath is better in the long run.
Hi Jake, cool content you have here :D I follow your videos at FB: Wudang Daoist Traditional Kungfu Academy and IG:Wudaomusic. Just realized you're on TH-cam. Keep up the good work! :D
I am happy to say that I bought my Xiao two weeks ago and today I am playing this beautiful song (with some difficulties). I deeply thank you for your effort in teaching
Awesome! Welcome to the Xiao family!
because of you I gained the courage to buy my first Xiao and I'm so excited! I'm a flutist already so I'm hoping that's gonna help me as a kickstart
Awesome! Hope that you Xiao practice is going well!
Thank you so much for these videos! I bought a dizi and a xiao on whim a while ago - and boy is it hard to find material for Eastern audiences! These videos really help make it more accessible.
I am glad they are helpful! :)
Thank you so much for making these videos:) I got my Xiao 2 days ago and try playing this song. Most difficult note for me is 4 right now. Hope to improve it.
You're welcome. I hope these videos get you going!
How is your xiao playing coming along?
Thank you Jake! this video is a great help for finding my rhytm
Thanks a lot for your lessons. They are very helpful. Four month ago I bought a high quality Xiao. I can handle the lower octave but when I play the higher octaves its very hard to feel relaxed and make a good tone. I hope you will have a lesson where you show how to blow and make lovely tones in both octaves. All the best!
Stay tuned. In a few episodes we will be explaining the high octave in more detail!
Great! It feels like tone four sounds much weaker than other tones. Any tips?
@@henrikalbertsson6911 it depends on the flute, but this is the odd note out. It has a tendency to be slightly flat compared to the others. Check the tuning on your flute and make sure that you have all of the fingers of the left hand besides the thumb fully covering the holes.
These videos are really helpfull. Thank you so much and greetings from germany!
Awesome! You are very welcome!
Thanks you so much for video
I'm starting to learn Xiao flute
It's very helpful ☺️☺️☺️.
You are very welcome! Remember to check out the latest videos to get a bunch on notation. :)
hey Jake, thank you for all your work to help us finding our voice with the xiao, I have a F key Xiao, should i just follow the number and then play the song in F or find a way to transpose the fingering to play it in G?
Hey! I started with an F key as well. I would recommend just playing everything the same (with the lowest note being 5). If you want to play the same pitch as a G key you would just have to make that a 4 instead and it gets strange to match exactly. If you don't, it just gives your version of the tracks a deeper tone to them, which I also prefer. I often play my D key flute with the same notation and finger pattern and it drops the pitch to a more bass sound.
@@WuDaoMusic thank you so much for your reply, it helps a lot !
Hi! I'm loving the tutorials so far. I've been playing for about 2 days, and I'm loving it so far. I had a question though. I have an F flute, and I can't get the middle 4 (the B flat) to sound good for the life of me. It's not nearly as clear as the rest of the notes in the middle and low registers. I can get a clearer low 5 than the 4. Do you have any advice on the matter? :)
Yes, this is a really common difficulty. I struggled with it a lot as well. I find that the problem often is starting off too flat in general. Keep you notes slightly sharp as you rise up in the scale. When you get to the B flat, you will want to be careful of dropping the angle and getting too flat. Also check your sound holes and make sure that you are completely covering all of the left hand holes minus the thumb on the back.
@@WuDaoMusic Hmm I see. Thanks for your advice! Other than using a proper tuner, what would be the best way to make sure my notes are the right pitch?
@@bencehun100 You could try a drone. Something that can maintain a specific pitch. TE Tuner has one, but there are many.
@@WuDaoMusic Thanks! I'll be sure to try it :)
I have a xiao, but my disadvantage is ; I have short fingers, especially the last finger, can't fully cover the hole😢
What key xiao do you have? If it is an F, could try a G key as the hole spacing is a little smaller. Either way you may be able to correct you hand posture. Most people can reach all of the holes with a slight fix on the positioning. I hope you can keep playing! :)
Challenges are made to be overcome! Keep practicing friend. I'll be starting my Xiao journey soon.
Hello Jake! Thank you very much for these tutorials, they are exactly what a person that begins playing xiao (or an instrument in general) needs.
Just a little note, shouldn't the first 7 have a dot on the bottom?
Yes, it should. I have corrected this in the downloadable notation but the error remains in the video. Thank you
First time see your videos! Fantastic Xiao playing! This Japanese folk really starts to sound Chinese by the bamboo sake lol.
Btw have I seen you on 我住在这里的理由?
Oh yes, the Xiao has a distinct flavor!
And yes, I was on 我住在这里的理由. That was a really fun mini docu.
How do you actually record the Xiao? What microphone and how you position it? And do you ad any further processing like EQ and dynamics besides reverb?? I tried several things but I still could not figure out how to get rid of at least a little bit of this mere airstreaming-noise, its just way too dominant.
I will have to do a video explaining this, but I can explain it shorthand here. I use a few different mics, lately I have been using the Rode Wireless Go. I have tried a few variations on mic placement. I use it like a lapel mic so that it is closer to the fingering holes or I try to keep it at chest/head level. If the mic is too low it gets very breathy. Effects I try to keep very minimal. I use Audacity to normalize it so that there are loud huge differences in volume and then I add a little reverb just to fill the space. The Rode mics (and I also sometimes use a Blue Yeti) are really good at filtering out noise and I don't need to do much clean if at all. Sometimes if I bump it I try to clean that sound but otherwise it records a really nice natural sound.
Oh my, thanks a lot! I thought the lower you place the mic, the darker and less breathy it gets...
Jake. Can you help me please? I have years trying to find the name of this wind instrument that appears in the beginning of the song
BOND - Dalalai
They are a violin quartet. And that's the only wind instrument for a few seconds. Please if you know the name let me know.
You are so skilled with The Xiao...
I want start playing an instrument too. And I think it will be the one that sounds in that song.
Thank you in advance. Jake.
Hello. It hase a celtic flute type feeling but it is hard to say what exactly they are using. A lot of synth stuff in their tracks too. The Xiao is unique in that it can probably emulate that sound to some degree but it won't get the same effect. The song almost has a tin whistle effect but softer and slower.
@@WuDaoMusic Thank you I really appreciate you took the time to answer. I think Xiao sounds great. I'll try to get one.
Please recommend me a brand or... Something. Sorry. I'm totally new about Xiao
@@mariochavarin1019 There are some international sellers online. I have not bought any from them so I cant say for sure. I have only bought in China since I live here. XD
I also sell and ship xiao internationally. I have some demo videos on my FB page with xiao for sale. I order them from a professional maker here.
The xiao look wider than normal?
Yes, this is my D key flute. It is a giant.
sensei , combining book and video
Check out the new tutorial series. I have been recording every track in the book.
Hi Jake,
First of all, thanks a lot for this great series! I got my first Xiao last week and without the help of your tutorials I really wouldn't know how to get started, as teachers are hard to come by in the middle of Germany.
I have a question on the notation of Four Seasons. If I understand you correctly, we are supposed to play the whole section until the next breathing space as a kind of legato, and not as individual notes. OK, that's clear. But what then is the meaning of the smaller arches over the half-notes? In Western notation I would have interpreted these as referring to legato. First I thought that maybe they are always there simply to connect two half-notes, but I looked at the notations of some of your later titles, and there this wasn't the case.
I hope I haven't missed anything in your explanation. If so, apologies in advance!
Yes, you are completely correct. With the notation for xiao, most all sections are played legato unless otherwise noted with a "0" or a "v". For this piece, since it is a introductory one, it is just overemphasizing that with the half beats that way it helps to connect them for learning. You could also play with the timing a little with this track, as it is meant to be played to represent the changes in the four seasons. So change the tempo, some of the beats, or even drop the full legato and pop each note, but still keep the connection between those paired notes. This way you can create a whole different sound with each variation.
@@WuDaoMusic That's great. Thanks a lot for your very inspiring answer! I will try the variations as you suggest. I'm curious to see whether by creating different sounds I can find out which part represents which season. I have a feeling that this flute will become a good companion for my practice of Qi Gong and Taiji. Thanks again for your answer and for these great tutorials!
Hi Melanie, I just saw by accident that you wrote this comment two days ago, I am also from Germany and starting to learn xiao. :) I normally play celtic harp and sing. If you want to connect, let me know. I have my own YT channel as well. Or maybe you are in the Patreon group too.
Your flute is a lot lower than mine. Mine sounds D4 with all the holes covered (according to my phone’s tuner). What key is the one you are playing for this song? Thanks for the tutorial.
You have a G key xiao. I am actually playing a D key in this video. The lowest note is an A (3 steps down). When I made this series, I was playing this flute daily. You can use the same fingering on either flute, I just really like the deep tones from this flute.
is it just me or does your flute sound a lot lower than the xiao that I'm playing on? :o
Good ear! Yes. I jump between a few flutes. This is actually my D key flute. So it is a few steps down. I am using the regular fingering position though as if the lowest tone was 5 (Sol) like a G key flute.
@@WuDaoMusic ooo that makes a lot of sense! That's one beautiful sounding flute! I've had mine for a few days now and thanks to your tutorials I'm not able to play from the lowest note to the ''sol'' ''5'' comparing that to a few days ago where I literally couldn't produce sound that's an amazing progress for me!
I love these tutorials and thank you so much for making them!
The notes above that are quite hard! the 6 really makes me make funny sounds haha, it's such a blast of an instrument to learn I can't wait to practice more.
@@ThijsTrials I am happy that they are helping. Keep going!
So in between two notes that are the same, you do not stop you continue, but just tap down a note. Do you always go down?
Okay you answered this later in the video lol
Hey how do you play the medium octave? I am unable to make the notes sound different from the lower one.
The finger patterns are the same so the difference is in the embouchure (or how you hold the lips for placement and breath control). The medium and high octaves require a more efficient and tighter embouchure. The placement of the "needle" or direction of the breath should progressively get closer and closer towards the body (downwards) as you climb higher in pitch. This will take some experimenting. Often blowing harder is the easy way to get the sound but becoming more proficient with the placement and direction of the breath is better in the long run.
@@WuDaoMusic Thank you so much for the answer your videos are very helpful!
Hi Jake, cool content you have here :D I follow your videos at FB: Wudang Daoist Traditional Kungfu Academy and IG:Wudaomusic. Just realized you're on TH-cam. Keep up the good work! :D
Thank you and welcome to another piece of the puzzle! ;)
@@WuDaoMusic 😂🙂🙏🏻
Are you related to Louis C.K. ?
No XD
is so fuckin dificult to play xiaoooooo