Thank you so much for that description of the embouchure ! Based on how it's described in other resources I've found, I was able to get a sound out of my xiao(G) very quickly, but found my results inconsistent, particularly with lower notes. In applying your suggestions, my tone improved immediately and I've found my results a lot more consistent across its range. Best way to describe it is the sweet spot is much larger- specifically aiming for a 'flat blade' of air whose angle you fine tune was the eureka moment for me.
Thank you for your tutorial. I love to listen to Chinese flute, and just bought this type because i love it's sound. Your tutorial will help very much, and i will be using it as a learning tool for sure.
To clarify the mouth position, make sure the open rectangular part that is pressed against your mouth is airtight, that's why you press it against your lips so it would cover the gap and would leave only the top part open where the air is blown in.
I'm just starting out on the xiao (key of G but one of the long-narrow ones), and I'm finding it difficult to just start playing the lowest note (D), although it's easier to work down to it like you show in this video. If I try to instantly play that low D, I tend to hit the higher octave and struggle to get it back down. Are there some tips to be able to quickly start playing the lowest note on the xiao?
Dude, thanks a lot for this very easy to understand vid. I am a long experienced musician with string intruments and like to start now with xiao after regarding lots of shakuhashi. Where did you buy your instruments ? I dont like to invest not more than about 300. Thank you.
Thanks, ive got the F same as you, your explanation of the C really helps. I dont read music i play by ear. What would be a good song i could learn to start with?
So i don't have a Xiao but i do have a Dongxiao, But i'm wondering why i mostly feel like i'm going to pass out when i play for even just a bit but when i play my Hulusi i don't feel like i'm going to pass out? (If it is how i breathe then how do i make it better?)
Hi Chris! Thank you for this video! May I ask you where you bought this particular Xiao in the video? I am interested in getting one and I like the sound of the one you have there :) Cheers!
I recently got a xiao (F key), and I love the sound of it, but I'm having an absolute hell of a time with that right pinky finger. I have fairly small hands. Even using piper's grip, I can juuuust cover the hole, but it leaves my wrist bent quite uncomfortably, and the note produced is very temperamental. I've tried shifting the position of my right thumb, which helped a little, but I'm thinking there has to be a better way. I just don't know what it is. I need to figure something out because, as it is, I'm left with a note smack in the middle of my scale that I can't reliably produce (seven fingers down, left thumb lifted SOL/5)
Im not sure if I'm doing it right? When I just play the piece that you have to assemble to the xiao I get a tone! But when I assemble it and even have my hands positioned like yours, same angle too! I hardly get a tone. I bought the oriental sanctuary Xiao in the key of G off of Amazon. I notice mine has 3 holes, then 4 holes and then 2 pairs of 3 holes side by side at the bottom? www.amazon.com/dp/B072JB4KS9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_Q6K0519F4GZ4NFEXGX2R?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Wonderful video. My "C" xiao is an 8 hole however the bottom front three hole spacing is so far i can't really hold the bottom. Wondering if $40 was too cheap of one or if because it's labeled a tenor that it's just a beast in spacing
Reaching the holes is one of the main problems in playing a big flute like this. Definitely remember that it's not really possible with the finger tips alone, you must use "pipers grip," which uses the second digits and pads of the fingers. The slightly smaller D (G) xiao is a bit easier. Good luck!
@@TalesoftheBoatman thank you, I've found the bottom hole is for tuning to maintain my first tone on each octave at C. So technically 6 holes, 2 back 4 front. Idk why it was advertised as 8 I've actually gotten really great sound and range out of it now, took about a week to get my mouth held right then building up muscles in lips to hold in place. This instrument is mystical, it's like allowing your soul spark to communicate directly with the world. Thank you again for such a great video
Does the thickness of the Xiao make a noticeable difference? I ask because I get one that is a bit thicker and longer than a standard bamboo Xiao. It has an average 2.5 cm diameter and 79 cm long, mine is a G one. The bamboo is not so dark, but medium brown something grayish. I'm just worried that my xiao sounds a bit wrong, because that size. I have not ordered on eBay or Amazon, so I do not get Xiao that has a crack. But that's exactly what happened to me and the Shop sent me a new one :-) and I can keep the other Xiao. I noticed that because I had placed both Xiaos next to each other.
hey, thanks for the video! I have one question thoough: My "xiao flute G" only has 2 Front-holes in the upper part and 3 front-holes in the lower part, so 2 less holes than you, why is that?
The traditional Xiao is six holes, only after the improvement has the present eight holes.Most of the players use the eight holes，which is easier to play.
Hello! i have a porblem with my Flute, i practiced 1 week, but its very very hard for me to make sounds... sometimes i get a tone, but thats so rare and if i get a tone, i can only play with the first 3 holes, if i use more then 3 the tone goes away... i tried sooo hard. is it just me or the Flute? maybe the blow Edge isnt sharp enought? i paid 70€ for it. Can you help me please?
Hi there, I sympathize with your frustration! Your situation is very common for a beginner - sometimes it takes more than 1 week to make any sound at all. Frustration begets tension, and tension is the enemy of sound production, so take a lot of breaks and be very patient. What you are looking for is that moment when the sound does occur; when that moment happens, take it very easy and be as aware as possible of your breath and and the shape of your lips. take a few moments, then gently and carefully try to reproduce that moment. It may very well not happen at all, which is ok! Every time you don't make a note is as informative as when you do, as long as you stay mindful. Insofar as the low notes are concerned, they are no doubt the hardest to produce at first. This has mostly to do with your right hand not covering the holes completely. Remember not to squeeze, it's about placement not pressure. refer to the video where I go over getting a good grip... For now, avoid those notes. Find a note you can make reliably and just make that note slowly many times. Then, gradually add or remove fingers one at a time, and don't move on till you get it. Be slow, slow, slow, and methodical. That is in fact, paradoxically, the quickest way to get to your goal. Where did you get your flute from? Good luck!
Iam very Thankful for your answer, i practiced now alot, i can make tones now, you were right!, there so less tutorials for this Flute, i would be very thankful to see a tutorial where i can use high notes. like the blow technique in this video wich helped me alot :D
@@MindCode86 Speaking about impulse buy... "Man I really wanna semi-learn a new instrument, let's see what I haven't stumbled upon yet- oh, that looks nice and doesn't cost too much, guess I'm a xiao player now"
@@juicy_oranges5529 I resemble that remark! I've got so many used student grade instruments from doing this, the xiao the most recent member of that ragtag little band.
Any way we can get another xaio video? This one really helped me to find my sound. I appreciate that greatly. There is not a lot of tutorials on the xiao unfortunately but it's such a beautiful flute. Thanks for the video 😊
This was incredibly helpful, thank you so much for putting this together! My partner is named after this flute but had never gotten a noise out of it until this video.
Thanks for Xiao's lesson, the sound is beautiful. Please can you give me some advice to buy good professional Xiao? Does it have to be bamboo or wood? An address of a good online store where to buy a professional Xiao? Thank you very much
Wonderfully helpful, thank you! I bought my xiao in Wudang Mountain two summers ago and have not (in Singapore or, now, China) succeeded in making the time to find a teacher who speaks English so I can learn the basics. Kind of cool that you just gave me that from the other side of the world via UA-cam. I've subscribed! :)
Great video! Did you know you're featured on VIPKid this week? They're showing your tutorial to up to 50,000 teachers in the US who tutor kids in China via the web. Loved your video! I love learning more about my students' culture. And your tutorial is wonderful! Makes me feel like I might even be able to try playing this although I'm sure it will sound pretty bad in my hands/lips. :)
Just saw this and we’ll done… I’m looking to add the Xiao to my playing (doing NAF, Quena, and Anasazi so far… ) Any advice on how to find/buy a quality Xiao? I’m in WA state….
I've been looking for a flute to take backpacking with me across Europe and I've decided on the xiao. Will the life of the flute be shortened by rain and moisture? I intend on leaving it strapped to the outside of my pack
Thanks a lot for this intro video on how to play the Xiao... I have a couple of questions: 1) Which key do you recommend for a beginner between the traditional F and G? 2) Can you suggest where to purchase a good quality Xiao for a beginner. Many thanks and kind regards, Max T
Hello, I can only tell you what I know from experience and some research. First off, the shakuhachi I have played are, I believe, 5 hole instruments, with big holes and a very difficult embouchure. The mouthpiece has a very sharp angle to it, as opposed to the xiao, which has a much gentler U shaped mouthpiece. This makes a big difference, as it is much easier to get a sound initially on the xiao. The modern xiao has 8 finger holes, enabling chromatic notes with less half holing, (a real trick to get those just right). Also the xiao is feather light and easy (in my opinion) to finger, making it a great choice for those of us with a tendency towards joint pain. The Shakuhachi I have personally played are much heavier, being made of root end bamboo. The voices of the two instruments are very different to my ears, though they can both achieve a great range of tones and, with some work, be made to sound similar. The xiao in practice is mostly quiet and contemplative, and it has a softer tone which is harder to push into those harsh regions which can be so delightfully expressive. Though I have done it and continually do so, I feel the instrument resists me a bit - it wants to whisper. The shakuhachi on the other hand is great at howling, rasping, whispering, moaning, - it's very expressive! But in the end I'ts a matter of what speaks to you and what you are physically able to play. There are some root end xiao sold on eason music store which seem like a cool kind of meeting of both worlds - i know winson liao makes them too, though his site is in chinese and was difficult for me to navigate. His work seems like it's the best in the world that I know of though. Listen to this - www.talesoftheboatman.com/track/the-wild-man-suite - on this recording I have pushed the xiao as far as I can, I am very satisfied that such a cheap and simple seeming flute could do so much for me. I love this thing! (Xiao is interspersed throughout, I'd be honored if you would give the whole thing a go!) Also, and importantly, a good shakuhachi cost approx. 1 bajillion USD. This xiao I am playing was 45 or so. A really nice one would be 200. Hope this helps, Chris
I was fortunate enough to come across a flute maker named Erik, he makes beautiful, high quality bamboo flutes using the same scale as the shakuhachi (and many others) so you get a very similar sound, but the flutes he makes use the same ''mouth piece'' as a standard Xiao, so its kind of the best of both worlds. Awesome sound and its much easier to play. Check out his channel and website at Eriktheflutemaker. :)
So helpful! I've been trying to learn by myself for months now with very limited success and I've been getting very frustrated, but now I see I've been gripping the lower half of the flute all wrong... no wonder my hand kept cramping up, haha
not just an up octave....but i guess for a foreigner, it's really good to know the basic scales. the xiao plays nearly 3 octaves. from the lowest sol to the forth octave 3, so that is 56712345671234567123, and some can play the third octave 45, and one hole can actually produces 3 to 4 sounds, like the lowest 5 is actually：5 , then up octave 5, then up octave 2, then third octave 5... and so on...so....you know.....
I want to say thanks for this. I just got my Xiao today and of course was frustrated as just the sound of silence, so onto the web and blessings from on high and I found you and now I can start to make a note. But I have gone over your video at least four times so this is so timely and I am grateful. Really instructive. I need the technical stuff of the lips etc. Great!
this helped me so hard.. you are the only one who did tutorial like this on Xiao who is not in asian language xD thanks to have done this tutorial because i asked a question you are a really nice guy :)
That is one great explanation. Thank you. I’m going to order one now. Love the tone and I plan on mixing it with my guitar music. I’m really a guitarist, but interested in the xiao
Hi! Thanks for this great video! I have started to play the Xiao recently (in F). As I play other types of flutes, I did not have much difficulty with getting the sound out of the flute with the low notes. What I struggle with are the higher notes. How do you do octave jumps? Unlike the recorder, I do not see that you have to half-open the thumb hole, so is it only a question of air pressure? How "tight" the air flow is? Thanks for your help!
If you want a higher tone, do we need to change our embochure??, because when i play it sometimes its high and sometimes its low depends on my mouth's shape
Dude, you're a fkn excellent teacher! Thanks so much! I've had this xiao for eons and was never comfortable with it till watching this video. Now I can finally play. Yay life!
Hi, nice tutorial :) Do you have any fingering chart for G key Xiao flute? And do you have any other guidance? Because i bought my first G key Xiao flute but i dont know from where to start. Thank you!
wks1412.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/dizi-and-xiao-fingering-chart20141.jpg This will give you the notes. I will try to make another video soon with scales etc.
Hi, I'm a new subscriber. Very cool channel! Just got a Xiao (keyG) would love to see that follow up video with scales etc., or perhaps a point in the right direction if you know any good resources for this instrument. :D
I don't know if you'll even see my comment, but in case you do, I just wanted to say thank you for posting a xiao lesson in English. While I can understand spoken Chinese fairly well, having grown up with a Chinese family, I know I will struggle with specialized terminology. By the way, you play beautifully.
Hi Chris! Thank you for this nice video. I bought a xiao 2 days ago, it's a 6 holes flute in F. On the upper side, the 5 holes are aligned, the last hole is centered. The problem is my right hand is suffering, it is very difficult to get the little finger to the last hole. I can still exchange it and I tried a similar flute in G, so it's shorter, but it doesn't sound as good as the one I have. As a guitarist, I know it can be painful to start practicing an instrument. But it seems so comfortable on your video, even if you have a very long flute. Is it normal to endure some pain in the wrist in the first days/weeks? I looked various videos to be sure I had a good posture, but it's still very difficult. Playing on the G was very easy for my right hand. Thank you in advance!
It's the hole marked as F, means you will get F with that marked hole(and all following) opened, showed @0:33. Since always the hole starts of the other hand is marked, this becomes the way to define the key of Xiao, not by the root note. Same to the Chinese bamboo flute. Great vedio!
I just bought a xiao... but as I watch the video, I'm realising that I'm used to having my right hand at the top and left at the bottom as it doesn't matter with a tin whistle but xiao has a pinky hole and my pinky is on the other side of the flute. I guess I have about a week or so before my xiao arrives to practice to have my hands the other way around...
ooh! I love the braille analysis, I am blind and read braille daily so I know exactly what you're talking about. Love your videos. Love the xiao very much.
Getting a sound from the xiao is not a problem for me. The problem is that fingering any holes begins to make the sound go away. After a few holes, the sound goes away. It's like a clogged trumpet. I assume I am doing something wrong, since I have tried this scores of times over the past few months. Can anyone help? Thank you : )
Apologies if I missed it, but do you have any tips for reliably changing between octaves; the only way I can find at the moment is to blow harder, and that ends up sounding screechy at best
That's a tough one! I would say to remember to relax your lips and not strain them, and that, done properly, you should be able to get the second octave without blowing harder. It's all a matter of a very small, very focused airstream coming from your lips. Try by starting with closed lips, and open them as little as humanly possible at first, this will increase the speed at which the air emerges from your mouth and overblow the flute into the second octave without additional effort from the diaphragm. Also, if your fingers don't have a great seal on the holes this can lead to losing the second octave as well. Good luck!
Hiya I have a xiao in G and I’m struggling with the spacing on the first 3 notes as I don’t think my hands are big enough to properly cover the first three with one hand and am having to use my other do you have any advice?
Hi. I'm thinking of buying a Xiao. Ideally I would like an F as I really love the deeper tone. Can you tel me if there is much of a difference in the spacing of the holes between a G and an F, as I have relatively smallish hands? Also would you mind giving me the link to the one you bought please? Thank
Thanks for the tutorial, am I supposed to do anything with the group of holes on the lower 3rd portion of the flute? as there are extra holes below all of the holes for the finger positions that are shown in the video.
Boatman, I too would greatly appreciate it if you could help with this question. Also, does it matter whether a beginner starts with an F or G xiao? Are there other keys? Thank you : )
No. There are lower tones like in E, in D or even in C. For C Xiao, the lowest note is G. However, it is very uncommon to have these kind of Xiao, and you have to really stretch your fingers to control it, usually they are for advanced players. I personally own a D key Xiao. For keys in D and C or even lower, you require a custom made service.
Kayne, Thank you. I have watched some videos for beginners in English and Chinese, and I am having a problem so basic that they don't even cover it. Maybe you can help? I can get a decent tone with no fingering, but then each hole I cover makes it more and more likely the sound will just go away entirely. Four holes is max, and rare. Any thoughts on what is going on here? Thank you : )
Usually we call the lowest finger hole the 1st, then 2nd 3rd so on, finally the one at the top (controlled by thumb) is 6th or 8th (depends on the model), also we call the pose which you hold the Xiao with right hand down as 正手 (normal position) and left hand down as 反手 (reverse position).
I think you are referring to 4 holes at upper part which controlled by one hand (the upper hand). Usually that's the basic tones to practice for beginners. For lower tones, you should breath deeper and imagine you are blowing nearer you, and going a little bit (a little bit referring to about 1mm or less in reality, but you should imagine so when practice) downward, so that the air would flow more inside of the Xiao.
Hi! Thanks for the video, I have one question: it seems that on my Xiao flute it's impossible to play one note, not even with half holing this note is possible. Let's say all notes closed = Root note (let's say it's a D), then it is impossible to play the major 7th, which would be a C# note. Because all holes open = C, so I can not get the note between C and D. Is this a thing on all Xiao flutes, or do I have an inferior instrument? According to finger charts it should be possible to play this note, but not on my Xiao.
On my flute, when all holes are open the note which sounds ( b ) is one half step lower than when all notes are closed (c). As far as I understand, this half step relationship is meant to be the case on all 8 hole xiao, regardless of key. However I will say that the b (or in your case C#) is a bit flat, so it requires extra push to get the note in tune. In fact, if I don't compress the airstream and blow fast enough, it can dip into the Bflat range. So put your diaphragm into it and see what happens!
@@NonOfYourRizznessSir I figured out that if you blow faster in it you can jump one octave higher C= C#=x x-x|xxx D= x x-x|xxc D#= x x-x|xxo E= x x-x|xco F= x x-x|xoo F#= x x-x|ooo G= x x-c|ooo G#= x x-o|ooo A= x o-x|xxx A#=x o-x|ooo H= o x-x|ooo B= o o-o|ooo C=o o-o|ooo (blow a bit stronger) ------------------------ Blow much stronger to jump an octave C#= x x-x|xxx D#=x x-x|xxo F= x x-x|xoo ...
Hello! I found that I need a LOT of air to play only a few notes...what am I doing wrong? The notes sound ok but I doubt they require so much air. Many thanks.
Thank you! It does help, even though I recognized it as the main problem. But still, it is hard to find the right spot, to know what makes it the right one, and to reproduce it each time. It is difficult to make progress not knowing what would make me progress. :)
Hi, It depends what music you plan on playing. I think G (lowest note D) xiao are the most commonly, but I usually play an F (lowest note C) because it fits in with the music I play and with the tunings I use on my various instruments. Celtic music, lots of chinese music (except when playing with a guqin) would be best suited to a G key xiao.
hi chris this is simon from israel. few years ago bought a xiao in london. saw your video.thank you very helpfull tips. i noticed that im missingthe hole between the ring finger and the pinki finger. could you please give me your opinion on this. thank oyu and be blessed. simon
It seems that that is a 6-holes version of Xiao. Basically it's the same instrument, just with fewer finger holes. That is the traditional version of Xiao, no worry. Just you may find it harder to stretch for the lowest 2 finger holes.
That's a pretty nice Xiao build, may I se e what weapon and artifacts you use?
Thank you so much for that description of the embouchure ! Based on how it's described in other resources I've found, I was able to get a sound out of my xiao(G) very quickly, but found my results inconsistent, particularly with lower notes. In applying your suggestions, my tone improved immediately and I've found my results a lot more consistent across its range. Best way to describe it is the sweet spot is much larger- specifically aiming for a 'flat blade' of air whose angle you fine tune was the eureka moment for me.
Thank you for your tutorial. I love to listen to Chinese flute, and just bought this type because i love it's sound. Your tutorial will help very much, and i will be using it as a learning tool for sure.
Thank you for teaching us. Could you post a fingering guide, like what holes do I cover to play G#, etc.
Great tutorial. What I need is a figuring guide...like how do I play B flat F sharp and the other chromatic notes.
To clarify the mouth position, make sure the open rectangular part that is pressed against your mouth is airtight, that's why you press it against your lips so it would cover the gap and would leave only the top part open where the air is blown in.
Thank you so much, that instantly fixed the sound i was producing and i am now able to produce a clear note, it really helped!!
“If you wanna be better in flute go swimming”
I can’t swim 😭
🤣
Really helpful information, going to get my Xiao out of the closet and practice! Thank you!!!
I'm just starting out on the xiao (key of G but one of the long-narrow ones), and I'm finding it difficult to just start playing the lowest note (D), although it's easier to work down to it like you show in this video. If I try to instantly play that low D, I tend to hit the higher octave and struggle to get it back down.
Are there some tips to be able to quickly start playing the lowest note on the xiao?
Making sound placement of tongue is important to direct the air .
Try Xiao with the key G if you just start, it's easier
Dude, thanks a lot for this very easy to understand vid. I am a long experienced musician with string intruments
and like to start now with xiao after regarding lots of shakuhashi. Where did you buy your instruments ?
I dont like to invest not more than about 300. Thank you.
what would be a good beginner xiao to buy in the U. S.
Thanks, ive got the F same as you, your explanation of the C really helps. I dont read music i play by ear. What would be a good song i could learn to start with?
So i don't have a Xiao but i do have a Dongxiao, But i'm wondering why i mostly feel like i'm going to pass out when i play for even just a bit but when i play my Hulusi i don't feel like i'm going to pass out? (If it is how i breathe then how do i make it better?)
Hi Chris! Thank you for this video! May I ask you where you bought this particular Xiao in the video? I am interested in getting one and I like the sound of the one you have there :) Cheers!
I recently got a xiao (F key), and I love the sound of it, but I'm having an absolute hell of a time with that right pinky finger. I have fairly small hands. Even using piper's grip, I can juuuust cover the hole, but it leaves my wrist bent quite uncomfortably, and the note produced is very temperamental. I've tried shifting the position of my right thumb, which helped a little, but I'm thinking there has to be a better way. I just don't know what it is. I need to figure something out because, as it is, I'm left with a note smack in the middle of my scale that I can't reliably produce (seven fingers down, left thumb lifted SOL/5)
This confused me so bad because I realized the only way to get that pinky hole was to play with my hands reversed from a norma flute.
Can you link your purchase?
wow! this really helped me
Im not sure if I'm doing it right? When I just play the piece that you have to assemble to the xiao I get a tone! But when I assemble it and even have my hands positioned like yours, same angle too! I hardly get a tone.
I bought the oriental sanctuary Xiao in the key of G off of Amazon.
I notice mine has 3 holes, then 4 holes and then 2 pairs of 3 holes side by side at the bottom?
www.amazon.com/dp/B072JB4KS9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_Q6K0519F4GZ4NFEXGX2R?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Wonderful video.
My "C" xiao is an 8 hole however the bottom front three hole spacing is so far i can't really hold the bottom.
Wondering if $40 was too cheap of one or if because it's labeled a tenor that it's just a beast in spacing
Reaching the holes is one of the main problems in playing a big flute like this. Definitely remember that it's not really possible with the finger tips alone, you must use "pipers grip," which uses the second digits and pads of the fingers. The slightly smaller D (G) xiao is a bit easier. Good luck!
@@TalesoftheBoatman thank you,
I've found the bottom hole is for tuning to maintain my first tone on each octave at C.
So technically 6 holes, 2 back 4 front. Idk why it was advertised as 8
I've actually gotten really great sound and range out of it now, took about a week to get my mouth held right then building up muscles in lips to hold in place.
This instrument is mystical, it's like allowing your soul spark to communicate directly with the world.
Thank you again for such a great video
Does the thickness of the Xiao make a noticeable difference?
I ask because I get one that is a bit thicker and longer than a standard bamboo Xiao.
It has an average 2.5 cm diameter and 79 cm long, mine is a G one. The bamboo is not so dark, but medium brown something grayish.
I'm just worried that my xiao sounds a bit wrong, because that size.
I have not ordered on eBay or Amazon, so I do not get Xiao that has a crack.
But that's exactly what happened to me and the Shop sent me a new one :-) and I can keep the other Xiao.
I noticed that because I had placed both Xiaos next to each other.
hey, thanks for the video! I have one question thoough: My "xiao flute G" only has 2 Front-holes in the upper part and 3 front-holes in the lower part, so 2 less holes than you, why is that?
The traditional Xiao is six holes, only after the improvement has the present eight holes.Most of the players use the eight holes，which is easier to play.
不错不错
谢谢
Hello!
i have a porblem with my Flute, i practiced 1 week, but its very very hard for me to make sounds... sometimes i get a tone, but thats so rare and if i get a tone, i can only play with the first 3 holes, if i use more then 3 the tone goes away... i tried sooo hard. is it just me or the Flute? maybe the blow Edge isnt sharp enought? i paid 70€ for it. Can you help me please?
Hi there,
I sympathize with your frustration! Your situation is very common for a beginner - sometimes it takes more than 1 week to make any sound at all. Frustration begets tension, and tension is the enemy of sound production, so take a lot of breaks and be very patient. What you are looking for is that moment when the sound does occur; when that moment happens, take it very easy and be as aware as possible of your breath and and the shape of your lips. take a few moments, then gently and carefully try to reproduce that moment. It may very well not happen at all, which is ok! Every time you don't make a note is as informative as when you do, as long as you stay mindful.
Insofar as the low notes are concerned, they are no doubt the hardest to produce at first. This has mostly to do with your right hand not covering the holes completely. Remember not to squeeze, it's about placement not pressure. refer to the video where I go over getting a good grip... For now, avoid those notes. Find a note you can make reliably and just make that note slowly many times. Then, gradually add or remove fingers one at a time, and don't move on till you get it.
Be slow, slow, slow, and methodical. That is in fact, paradoxically, the quickest way to get to your goal.
Where did you get your flute from?
Good luck!
Iam very Thankful for your answer, i practiced now alot, i can make tones now, you were right!, there so less tutorials for this Flute, i would be very thankful to see a tutorial where i can use high notes. like the blow technique in this video wich helped me alot :D
Ojalá tuviera subtítulos en español 😖
xiao genshin impact hole
Searching xiao from genshin then end up watching this lol
Lol same
Same bruh
I have the opposite issue: I try to find videos about the xiao flute but all search results are littered with genshin stuff
same
Yea Xiao is named after a flute. I'm here tho bc I just bought a Xiao flute. The sound is really nice
i just impulse bought a xiao flute and this video has helped so much - went from 0 noise to a half decent sound already
Good to hear I just did that I'll save this for when it gets here
Haha same Impulse buy for me :D
@@MindCode86 Speaking about impulse buy...
"Man I really wanna semi-learn a new instrument, let's see what I haven't stumbled upon yet- oh, that looks nice and doesn't cost too much, guess I'm a xiao player now"
@@juicy_oranges5529 I resemble that remark! I've got so many used student grade instruments from doing this, the xiao the most recent member of that ragtag little band.
Any way we can get another xaio video? This one really helped me to find my sound. I appreciate that greatly. There is not a lot of tutorials on the xiao unfortunately but it's such a beautiful flute. Thanks for the video 😊
Search Chinese 箫
anyone here tryna learn to play xiao from genshin impact lmao
lol just pulled him
I laughed out loud because of your comment 😂
I did come here to learn to play the flute but I'm Xiao main in Genshin
This was incredibly helpful, thank you so much for putting this together! My partner is named after this flute but had never gotten a noise out of it until this video.
Thanks for Xiao's lesson, the sound is beautiful.
Please can you give me some advice to buy good professional Xiao? Does it have to be bamboo or wood? An address of a good online store where to buy a professional Xiao?
Thank you very much
I love your background instruments! I have instrument acquisition syndrome. 😂
Wonderfully helpful, thank you! I bought my xiao in Wudang Mountain two summers ago and have not (in Singapore or, now, China) succeeded in making the time to find a teacher who speaks English so I can learn the basics. Kind of cool that you just gave me that from the other side of the world via UA-cam. I've subscribed! :)
Great video! Did you know you're featured on VIPKid this week? They're showing your tutorial to up to 50,000 teachers in the US who tutor kids in China via the web. Loved your video! I love learning more about my students' culture. And your tutorial is wonderful! Makes me feel like I might even be able to try playing this although I'm sure it will sound pretty bad in my hands/lips. :)
Wow was just looking at one of these. Now that I've seen your video, I may just get it and learn from you hahaha. Thanks for the video.
Just saw this and we’ll done… I’m looking to add the Xiao to my playing (doing NAF, Quena, and Anasazi so far… ) Any advice on how to find/buy a quality Xiao? I’m in WA state….
I've been looking for a flute to take backpacking with me across Europe and I've decided on the xiao. Will the life of the flute be shortened by rain and moisture? I intend on leaving it strapped to the outside of my pack
Hi, do you have any suggestions where to buy a good quality Xiao? Dealers, companies or makers? I am finding it hard to find a good one.
Good info but it’s almost unless to a beginner because they can’t see your fingering. Thank you tho for the video.
Starting my journey today stressful but i will get it right hahaha
Thanks a lot for this intro video on how to play the Xiao... I have a couple of questions:
1) Which key do you recommend for a beginner between the traditional F and G?
2) Can you suggest where to purchase a good quality Xiao for a beginner.
Many thanks and kind regards, Max T
Great tutorial for the Xiao. I am getting mine in a couple of weeks. this will help me a lot. Do you have any resources for music?
Xiao vs shakuhachi. Whats the key differences? Im looking to invest in a wind instrument and I'm torn between these two,
Hello, I can only tell you what I know from experience and some research. First off, the shakuhachi I have played are, I believe, 5 hole instruments, with big holes and a very difficult embouchure. The mouthpiece has a very sharp angle to it, as opposed to the xiao, which has a much gentler U shaped mouthpiece. This makes a big difference, as it is much easier to get a sound initially on the xiao.
The modern xiao has 8 finger holes, enabling chromatic notes with less half holing, (a real trick to get those just right). Also the xiao is feather light and easy (in my opinion) to finger, making it a great choice for those of us with a tendency towards joint pain. The Shakuhachi I have personally played are much heavier, being made of root end bamboo.
The voices of the two instruments are very different to my ears, though they can both achieve a great range of tones and, with some work, be made to sound similar. The xiao in practice is mostly quiet and contemplative, and it has a softer tone which is harder to push into those harsh regions which can be so delightfully expressive. Though I have done it and continually do so, I feel the instrument resists me a bit - it wants to whisper. The shakuhachi on the other hand is great at howling, rasping, whispering, moaning, - it's very expressive!
But in the end I'ts a matter of what speaks to you and what you are physically able to play. There are some root end xiao sold on eason music store which seem like a cool kind of meeting of both worlds - i know winson liao makes them too, though his site is in chinese and was difficult for me to navigate. His work seems like it's the best in the world that I know of though.
Listen to this - www.talesoftheboatman.com/track/the-wild-man-suite - on this recording I have pushed the xiao as far as I can, I am very satisfied that such a cheap and simple seeming flute could do so much for me. I love this thing! (Xiao is interspersed throughout, I'd be honored if you would give the whole thing a go!)
Also, and importantly, a good shakuhachi cost approx. 1 bajillion USD. This xiao I am playing was 45 or so. A really nice one would be 200.
Hope this helps,
Chris
Thank you very much for the reply!
I was fortunate enough to come across a flute maker named Erik, he makes beautiful, high quality bamboo flutes using the same scale as the shakuhachi (and many others) so you get a very similar sound, but the flutes he makes use the same ''mouth piece'' as a standard Xiao, so its kind of the best of both worlds. Awesome sound and its much easier to play. Check out his channel and website at Eriktheflutemaker. :)
(Boat)man, I can't believe I found you... Can't send words, they're not enough.
Tales of the Boatman 1 bajillion USD Lol
una duda ¿cuantos hoyos riene esa flauta?
¿y cuanto mide en total se ve muy larga? me gusto comonsuena
簫 尺八 都是同一種樂器，不分幾孔。尺八 指長度，簫 指音色材質的。
Thank you very much for this tutorial!
Greetings from Russia! =)
So helpful! I've been trying to learn by myself for months now with very limited success and I've been getting very frustrated, but now I see I've been gripping the lower half of the flute all wrong... no wonder my hand kept cramping up, haha
Recently got my first Xiao. Thanks for taking me into the good direction with your advices
not just an up octave....but i guess for a foreigner, it's really good to know the basic scales. the xiao plays nearly 3 octaves. from the lowest sol to the forth octave 3, so that is 56712345671234567123, and some can play the third octave 45, and one hole can actually produces 3 to 4 sounds, like the lowest 5 is actually：5 , then up octave 5, then up octave 2, then third octave 5... and so on...so....you know.....
and this one you're holding is only one of the formation of xiao... so you know...
Thank you for uploading this! I'm curious, what're the holes on the third section for? I can't find an answer anywhere, it's driving me nuts.
I want to say thanks for this. I just got my Xiao today and of course was frustrated as just the sound of silence, so onto the web and blessings from on high and I found you and now I can start to make a note. But I have gone over your video at least four times so this is so timely and I am grateful. Really instructive. I need the technical stuff of the lips etc. Great!
You are most welcome. Feel free to ask any questions or suggest what you need help on for the next video!
This is a very good tutorial. 🥰
As soon as you said use your smile muscles, I slightly tightened those muscles and I got a loud and clear whistle lol
this helped me so hard.. you are the only one who did tutorial like this on Xiao who is not in asian language xD thanks to have done this tutorial because i asked a question you are a really nice guy :)
Thanks for you kind words, I'm very happy to have helped you.
The flute is it tuned to C4 (low scale all holes covered)
That is one great explanation. Thank you. I’m going to order one now. Love the tone and I plan on mixing it with my guitar music. I’m really a guitarist, but interested in the xiao
Hi! Thanks for this great video! I have started to play the Xiao recently (in F). As I play other types of flutes, I did not have much difficulty with getting the sound out of the flute with the low notes. What I struggle with are the higher notes. How do you do octave jumps? Unlike the recorder, I do not see that you have to half-open the thumb hole, so is it only a question of air pressure? How "tight" the air flow is? Thanks for your help!
I'm literally cover the holes but keep hearing the same note how do I play different notes
This will be of great help. I just bought a very nice, long Xiao. I'm gonna play, man!
If you want a higher tone, do we need to change our embochure??, because when i play it sometimes its high and sometimes its low depends on my mouth's shape
what are all the holes after the fingersf for? tuning with bands?
Please how i can get this instrument?
I ordered a dizi off Amazon in C scale, but received a xiao in G scale, so now I figured I might as well learn how to play the xiao since I have it.
Perhaps it was meant to be! The xiao is very relaxing, and much better for your posture! Hope this video helps.
Random! Hehe. I'm learning to play both dizi and xiao, both are lovely
Dude, you're a fkn excellent teacher! Thanks so much! I've had this xiao for eons and was never comfortable with it till watching this video. Now I can finally play. Yay life!
really like the way you teach. Very clear with details. Thank you!
Where can I get this Xiao?
4:31 hugh? it's like a weapon
This is really good!
Hi, nice tutorial :)
Do you have any fingering chart for G key Xiao flute? And do you have any other guidance? Because i bought my first G key Xiao flute but i dont know from where to start.
Thank you!
wks1412.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/dizi-and-xiao-fingering-chart20141.jpg This will give you the notes. I will try to make another video soon with scales etc.
Good idea. Thank you!
nice... I have a G key Xiao as well.
Hi, I'm a new subscriber. Very cool channel! Just got a Xiao (keyG) would love to see that follow up video with scales etc., or perhaps a point in the right direction if you know any good resources for this instrument. :D
I don't know if you'll even see my comment, but in case you do, I just wanted to say thank you for posting a xiao lesson in English. While I can understand spoken Chinese fairly well, having grown up with a Chinese family, I know I will struggle with specialized terminology.
By the way, you play beautifully.
Hi Chris! Thank you for this nice video. I bought a xiao 2 days ago, it's a 6 holes flute in F. On the upper side, the 5 holes are aligned, the last hole is centered. The problem is my right hand is suffering, it is very difficult to get the little finger to the last hole. I can still exchange it and I tried a similar flute in G, so it's shorter, but it doesn't sound as good as the one I have. As a guitarist, I know it can be painful to start practicing an instrument. But it seems so comfortable on your video, even if you have a very long flute. Is it normal to endure some pain in the wrist in the first days/weeks? I looked various videos to be sure I had a good posture, but it's still very difficult. Playing on the G was very easy for my right hand. Thank you in advance!
How much good xiao?
It's the hole marked as F, means you will get F with that marked hole(and all following) opened, showed @0:33. Since always the hole starts of the other hand is marked, this becomes the way to define the key of Xiao, not by the root note. Same to the Chinese bamboo flute. Great vedio!
Do you give lessons?
Could you tell me more about how to purchase the flute your using? I think it's nice and would like to look into getting one.
I just bought a xiao... but as I watch the video, I'm realising that I'm used to having my right hand at the top and left at the bottom as it doesn't matter with a tin whistle but xiao has a pinky hole and my pinky is on the other side of the flute. I guess I have about a week or so before my xiao arrives to practice to have my hands the other way around...
Any resources for how to play the top/ 3rd octave? Trying to figure out the harmonics on my xiao....
ooh! I love the braille analysis, I am blind and read braille daily so I know exactly what you're talking about. Love your videos. Love the xiao very much.
Getting a sound from the xiao is not a problem for me. The problem is that fingering any holes begins to make the sound go away. After a few holes, the sound goes away. It's like a clogged trumpet. I assume I am doing something wrong, since I have tried this scores of times over the past few months. Can anyone help? Thank you : )
Apologies if I missed it, but do you have any tips for reliably changing between octaves; the only way I can find at the moment is to blow harder, and that ends up sounding screechy at best
yeah! i came here to see if he explains so too, but guess we'll have to figure out ourselves,,
That's a tough one! I would say to remember to relax your lips and not strain them, and that, done properly, you should be able to get the second octave without blowing harder. It's all a matter of a very small, very focused airstream coming from your lips. Try by starting with closed lips, and open them as little as humanly possible at first, this will increase the speed at which the air emerges from your mouth and overblow the flute into the second octave without additional effort from the diaphragm. Also, if your fingers don't have a great seal on the holes this can lead to losing the second octave as well. Good luck!
@@TalesoftheBoatman thanks for the comment, wow, im trying now and i really can notice what you said. thanks again!
Hiya I have a xiao in G and I’m struggling with the spacing on the first 3 notes as I don’t think my hands are big enough to properly cover the first three with one hand and am having to use my other do you have any advice?
Hi. I'm thinking of buying a Xiao. Ideally I would like an F as I really love the deeper tone. Can you tel me if there is much of a difference in the spacing of the holes between a G and an F, as I have relatively smallish hands? Also would you mind giving me the link to the one you bought please? Thank
If you have small hands, I think a G key is a better choice.
Thanks for the tutorial, am I supposed to do anything with the group of holes on the lower 3rd portion of the flute? as there are extra holes below all of the holes for the finger positions that are shown in the video.
What are the notes on this instrument? Trying to find a chart but it's not easy to find for some reason
Is F major the lowest key for this flute? I'm looking for a very low toned Xiao.
Boatman, I too would greatly appreciate it if you could help with this question.
Also, does it matter whether a beginner starts with an F or G xiao? Are there other keys?
Thank you : )
No. There are lower tones like in E, in D or even in C. For C Xiao, the lowest note is G. However, it is very uncommon to have these kind of Xiao, and you have to really stretch your fingers to control it, usually they are for advanced players. I personally own a D key Xiao. For keys in D and C or even lower, you require a custom made service.
Kayne, Thank you. I have watched some videos for beginners in English and Chinese, and I am having a problem so basic that they don't even cover it. Maybe you can help? I can get a decent tone with no fingering, but then each hole I cover makes it more and more likely the sound will just go away entirely. Four holes is max, and rare. Any thoughts on what is going on here? Thank you : )
Usually we call the lowest finger hole the 1st, then 2nd 3rd so on, finally the one at the top (controlled by thumb) is 6th or 8th (depends on the model), also we call the pose which you hold the Xiao with right hand down as 正手 (normal position) and left hand down as 反手 (reverse position).
I think you are referring to 4 holes at upper part which controlled by one hand (the upper hand). Usually that's the basic tones to practice for beginners. For lower tones, you should breath deeper and imagine you are blowing nearer you, and going a little bit (a little bit referring to about 1mm or less in reality, but you should imagine so when practice) downward, so that the air would flow more inside of the Xiao.
this was helpful. Thanks for taking the time
Hi! Thanks for the video, I have one question: it seems that on my Xiao flute it's impossible to play one note, not even with half holing this note is possible.
Let's say all notes closed = Root note (let's say it's a D), then it is impossible to play the major 7th, which would be a C# note. Because all holes open = C, so I can not get the note between C and D.
Is this a thing on all Xiao flutes, or do I have an inferior instrument? According to finger charts it should be possible to play this note, but not on my Xiao.
On my flute, when all holes are open the note which sounds ( b ) is one half step lower than when all notes are closed (c). As far as I understand, this half step relationship is meant to be the case on all 8 hole xiao, regardless of key. However I will say that the b (or in your case C#) is a bit flat, so it requires extra push to get the note in tune. In fact, if I don't compress the airstream and blow fast enough, it can dip into the Bflat range. So put your diaphragm into it and see what happens!
Thank you for your video, it's really helpful!
How can I play notes like A#? I see pics where the 2nd top-hole is open but I dont have a 2nd top-hole since my xiao flute only has 5 holes on top...
Same :(
@@NonOfYourRizznessSir I figured out that if you blow faster in it you can jump one octave higher
C=
C#=x x-x|xxx
D= x x-x|xxc
D#= x x-x|xxo
E= x x-x|xco
F= x x-x|xoo
F#= x x-x|ooo
G= x x-c|ooo
G#= x x-o|ooo
A= x o-x|xxx
A#=x o-x|ooo
H= o x-x|ooo
B= o o-o|ooo
C=o o-o|ooo (blow a bit stronger)
------------------------
Blow much stronger to jump an octave
C#= x x-x|xxx
D#=x x-x|xxo
F= x x-x|xoo
...
How do you clean that mostly closed, blown end, flute? The open ended ones seem easier in that respect. No?
A stick and a cloth! Yes it's hard to clean!
Is there really a difference whether the Xiao is wrapped with threads or wire?
Hello! I found that I need a LOT of air to play only a few notes...what am I doing wrong? The notes sound ok but I doubt they require so much air. Many thanks.
Thank you! It does help, even though I recognized it as the main problem. But still, it is hard to find the right spot, to know what makes it the right one, and to reproduce it each time. It is difficult to make progress not knowing what would make me progress. :)
I ordered a dizi off Amazon in C scale, but received a xiao in G scale, so now I figured I might as well learn how to play the xiao since I have it.
It must have been meant to be. The xiao is certainly better for your posture!
Hello what key would you think is best to a complete beginner.Thanks Marc
Hi, It depends what music you plan on playing. I think G (lowest note D) xiao are the most commonly, but I usually play an F (lowest note C) because it fits in with the music I play and with the tunings I use on my various instruments. Celtic music, lots of chinese music (except when playing with a guqin) would be best suited to a G key xiao.
Thanks, now I can try a new musical instrument.
hi chris this is simon from israel. few years ago bought a xiao in london. saw your video.thank you very helpfull tips. i noticed that im missingthe hole between the ring finger and the pinki finger. could you please give me your opinion on this. thank oyu and be blessed. simon
It seems that that is a 6-holes version of Xiao. Basically it's the same instrument, just with fewer finger holes. That is the traditional version of Xiao, no worry. Just you may find it harder to stretch for the lowest 2 finger holes.