Influence of Chinese Traditional Flutes

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Influence of Chinese Traditional Flutes
The Chinese flute is a beautiful instrument that can be dated back to Neolithic China. It is known for its sweet melodies and sounds that imitate nature (The Chinese Membrane Flute). Chinese traditional flutes greatly impacted the construction of the modern flute. Traditional flutes in China were made of animal bones and had holes to blow into, very much like the structure of the modern flute. World famous symphonies and orchestras use modern flutes to express sweet melodies and a nature-like feel. The construction of the modern flute derived from ancient China.
There are many kinds of Chinese flutes. The earliest flute is the paixiao, or panpipes (Chinese Flute). Many changes were applied since the paixiao, and the end-blown flutes became more popular during the Han Dynasty. This end-blown flute is called the xiao. The xiao is made of bamboo and has a mellow timbre. It is blown vertically and has five holes for fingers with one thumbhole in the back (Xiao Musical Instrument). The more recent traditional flute is called the dizi, or di, for short. Unlike the paixiao or xiao, the di is a transverse flute, which is played horizontally (Di Musical Instrument). The di’s unique sound characterizes many aspects of Chinese music, from its elegance in operas to military marching bands. Although there are many different types of Chinese traditional flute, the structure of these flutes were key factors in the development of the modern flute.
Theobald Boehm was credited for developing the standard flute structure. His flute is made of silver and has a cylindrical body shape. Boehm’s flute is played horizontally and has an enlarged embouchure, which means hole for blowing. The keys for notes have pad...

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...traditional flute. Old or new, both types of flute compliment and have a huge influence on each other. The traditional Chinese flute left a mark on the modern flute and its impact evolved into what a flute is defined as today.

Works Cited

"Chinese Flute." Chinese Flute Dizi and Xiao. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2014.
"Di Musical Instrument." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2014.
"Shen Yun Performing Arts." Dizi Bamboo Flute. Shen Yun Performing Arts, 2014. Web. 15 Feb. 2014.
"Xiao Musical Instrument." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2014.
Carole, Miller B. "A Flute Historical Timeline." A Flute Historical Timeline. Mostlywind, 5 Dec. 2011. Web. 16 Feb. 2014.
Chen, Gia Tsai. "The Chinese Membrane Flute (dizi)." The Chinese Membrane Flute (dizi). N.p., Mar. 2004. Web. 15 Feb. 2014.

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