Chinese flute

The Dizi(Chinese Bamboo Flute)


Because it sounds great, is easy to learn, light to carry and inexpensive, the Dizi (Chinese Bamboo Flute) is one of most popular Chinese instruments in Asia.
The Dizi (also called D'Tzu or Zhu Di), is a side blown wind instrument made of Bamboo. The Dizi has a very simple structure: 1 blowhole, 1 membrane hole, 6 finger holes, and two pairs of holes in the end to correct the pitch and hang decorative tassels.
Most special about the Dizi is the "Mo-Cong" (membrane hole), which is located between the blowhole and 6th finger hole. The Mo-Cong was invented in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) by Liu Xi, and he named the flute the "Seven Star Tube". What makes the Mo-Cong special is its thin membrane covering. Some people mistake this membrane for rice paper, but it is actually made from the inner tube of a bamboo or reed plant. When the Dizi is played, the membrane vibrates with the Dizi, producing a sweet, bright tone. In addition it helps to deliver the Dizi sound far away. Liu Xi stated the purpose of his great invention as "To help produce better tone quality". You can also adjust the membrane to get the just the "right" tone for the specific musical mood.
Another Chinese bamboo flute, called the Xiao, is played vertically. This style of flute was exported to other Asia countries, and later became known as the Shakuhachi in Japan.
Dizi History
There are two schools of thought about where the Dizi originated. Official documents show that the Dizi was brought back from somewhere west of China by Emperor Wudi's messenger, Zhang Qian, in 119 BC. The discovery of older flutes in several ancient tombs show that the Chinese played bone and bamboo flutes long before the Emperor Wudi sent his messenger. Some examples are:
· A flute was found in a tomb of Eastern Han (206 BC - 9 AD) with an extra hole, perhaps for pasting a memberane
· Two bamboo flutes (one long, one short) were found in a tomb of 168 BC,
· Several 7,000 year old small bone flutes were found in Hemudu, Zhejiang province
· More than thirty 9,000 year old flutes with five or seven holes were found in the village of Jiahu (Central Yellow River Valley of China). See picture.


More than thirty 9,000 year old flutes, made from the wing bones of the red-crowned crane and carved with five to seven holes, were found at the village of Jiahu in the Yellow River Valley of China. The second flute from the bottom can still produce music without signs of strain.

The Modern Dizi
Despite some experimental Dizis (11 hole flute, half note flute or adapting the idea of western flute by putting a few mechanical keys for temporary notes), six finger hole Dizis are still the popular choice of most Dizi players. Dizis have basically been the same since the Yuan Dynasty, 1279-1368AD.

Generally, Dizis are separated into 2 categories. In the north, the flute used to accompany the Bon Zi Opera is called a Bon Di. This flute is short and because of its size the pitch is higher. In the south, the flute used to accompany the Qun Opera is called a Qun Di. This flute is longer than the Bon Di is and the music style is gentler.Unlike the modern western flute, which has convenient keys to make sharp or flat notes, Dizi players use 3 basic fingerings (keys) per flute. The playing of more than 3 keys is manageable, but it becomes a little inconvenient. That is why 7 or 12 key Dizi sets exist. You can simply switch Dizi and be ready to play another 3 keys. The Dizi's range is 2 octaves plus 2 or 3 notes (depending on which size Dizi you use). Dizi prices vary, ranging from $.01 - $300 or more per Dizi.
Presently, Dizis come in adjustable and nonadjustable versions. The nonadjustable Dizis usually have better tone quality than the adjustable ones because the whole Dizi vibrates when played. Unfortunately, because temperatures have a big impact on the pitch, nonadjustable Dizi players usually need to have 2 sets of Dizi; one for summertime (with a lower pitch) and one for wintertime (with a higher pitch).