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.🙏🕊🎶
Funny thing, I find xiao very similar to tin whistle. It has 8 holes, but if to keep down left hand middle finger and right hand ring finger the tuning is like tin whistle. Two extra holes are for half tones- for example if to raise right hand ring finger, you can play D#. Key of G xiao root note is D, so very popular key for tin whistle too. Lovely instrument and it is great You are introducing a lot of different instruments!
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.
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.
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. 😀
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 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.
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
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。
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 😂
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
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...
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。
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。
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.🙏🕊🎶
Funny thing, I find xiao very similar to tin whistle. It has 8 holes, but if to keep down left hand middle finger and right hand ring finger the tuning is like tin whistle. Two extra holes are for half tones- for example if to raise right hand ring finger, you can play D#. Key of G xiao root note is D, so very popular key for tin whistle too. Lovely instrument and it is great You are introducing a lot of different instruments!
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.
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 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...
Absolutely love how lovely your videos are ! Can watch your videos just for your smile and laughter....so genuine and positive ❤️
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.
I love your demo, thanks for sharing!
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.
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
This gives root note and whole new meaning....
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
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 just bought one of these and a dizi ☺️
ooh, I hope you really enjoy it :D
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.
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…
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?
I recommend you to consider xiao that is made in Taiwan.
The link doesn't really work ( ends up on a general page) Could you identify the seller's name?
This xiao is so nice, how mach is it?
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!
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...
that is very cool.
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。