The dizi (Chinese: 笛子; pinyin: dízi, pronounced [tǐt͡si]), is a Chinese transverse flute. It is also sometimes known as the di (笛) or hengdi (橫笛), and has varieties including the qudi (曲笛) andbangdi (梆笛).
These names are likely to have multiple spellings, too, depending on the transliteration used to convert from Chinese names. Nonetheless, dizi seems to be the most common name (and written form) used in the West.
The dizi is a major Chinese musical instrument, and is widely used in many genres of Chinese folk music, as well as Chinese opera, and the modern Chinese orchestra. Traditionally, the dizi has also been popular among the Chinese common people, and it is simple to make and easy to carry.
Most dizi are made of bamboo, which explains why dizi are sometimes known by simple names such as Chinese bamboo flute. However, “bamboo” is perhaps more of a Chinese instrument classification like “woodwind” in the West. Northern Chinese dizi are made from purple or violet bamboo, while dizi made in Suzhou and Hangzhou are made from white bamboo. Dizi produced in southern Chinese regions such as Chaozhou are often made of very slender, lightweight, light-colored bamboo and are much quieter in tone.
Although bamboo is the common material for the dizi, it is also possible to find dizi made from other kinds of wood, or even from stone. Jade dizi (or yudi, 玉笛) are popular among both collectorsinterested in their beauty, and among professional players who seek an instrument with looks to match the quality of their renditions; however, jade may not be the best material for dizi since, as with metal, jade may not be as tonally responsive as bamboo, which is more resonant.
The dizi is not the only bamboo flute of China, although it is certainly distinctive. Other Chinese bamboo wind instruments include the vertical end-blown xiao, the guanzi (double reed), the koudi, and the bawu (free reed).
颤音 (chàn yīn) – trill
Some other useful techniques:
吹奏 (chuī zòu) – play wind instruments
乐谱 (yuè pǔ) – music score
转调 (zhuǎn diào) – inflection – changing the tuning (using the fingers and breath)
连续单吐 (lián xù dān tǔ) – succession of single tonguings
连续双吐 (lián xù shuāng tǔ) – succession of double tonguings
连续花舌 (lián xù huā shé) – succession of “flower” tongue (flutter tonguing?)
长颤音 (cháng chàn yīn) – long trill
换气 (huàn qì) – take a breath, change of air
音区 (yīn qū) – range
低音区 (dī yīn qū) – low range – deep and dark, resonant; you can hear the breath (white noise), difficult to play loud
中音区 (zhōng yīn qū) – middle range – sweet (dolce); bright, can change volume very easily,
高音区 (gāo yīn qū) – high range – very loud, colorful; very clear and melodius (difficult to play soft)
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