How the xiao makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the xiao belongs to the flutes (edge-blown): an air jet is split on a sharp edge, setting the air column vibrating – flutes, recorders, whistles and panpipes.
More broadly it is one of the aerophones (wind instruments), where sound comes from vibrating air.
Its timbre – the colour that lets you tell it apart from other instruments playing the same note – comes from the mix of overtones its body and resonator emphasise.
From Wikipedia
The xiao is a Chinese vertical end-blown flute. It is generally made of bamboo. It is also sometimes called dòngxiāo (洞箫; 洞簫), dòng meaning "hole." An ancient name for the xiāo is shùzhúdí but the name xiāo in ancient times also included the side-blown bamboo flute, dizi.
The xiāo is a very ancient Chinese instrument usually thought to have developed from a simple end-blown flute used by the Qiang people of Southwest China in ancient period. In the oral traditions of the Xiao, practitioners and poets say its sound resembles the sweetness of the Phoenix's call, the king of birds in Chinese belief.
Other flutes
More instruments from People's Republic of China
Frequently asked questions
What does a xiao sound like?
As one of the flutes, its sound comes from the way an air jet is split on a sharp edge, setting the air column vibrating.
What type of instrument is the xiao?
It is classified as flutes (edge-blown) (Hornbostel–Sachs 421.221.12).
Where does the xiao come from?
The xiao originates from People's Republic of China.
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q1394795 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Xiao (flute) – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Victortsang – CC BY-SA 3.0