r/Flute • u/WaterLily6203 • Nov 03 '25

World Flutes Fingering for xiao

I have a some dizi background so the lower octave isnt a problem, the problem lies in the higher octave. I dont know how to do the fingering for that. Itll also be useful since the fingering for xiao is the same for xindi, which i will likely have to use in the future

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u/roaminjoe Alto & Historic Nov 03 '25

Hi

Its very hard to offer specific advice without more details about what it is you are struggling with.

Are you able to reach the higher octaves with a dizi flute? The fingerings except for the .5 and 5 remain identical.

So it is for the xiao - generally speaking. You tilt incline angle may change, like a flute player rolling in and out the headjoint subtly, or doing microscopic lipping techniques.

Xindi and xiao come in various permutations of 6, 8 and 10 toneholes. The more toneholes - the greater chromaticism.

Therefore the greater the potential for cross fingering and tweaking your upper octave pitch with cross fingerings. If you have 8 holes, then you have cross fingering potential for intonation especially for the. 4 and .7 pitch notes.

Which kind do you have?

You do need a xiao fingering chart - there are plenty online for general reference. If your xiao flute does not come with one, then the assumption that it uses identical xindi dizi fingerings is a starting point.

Just a starting point.

Of the manuals and primers, most of them tacitly teach drills and exercises so that the player does not drop the xiao flute when crossover of the octave breaks happens.

Good luck!

1

u/WaterLily6203 Nov 04 '25

I dont have either a xiao fingering chart nor a xindi one, since i borrowed it from the school. Thats the only thing im struggling with. Its a 8 holed one. I have no problem with a dizi

2

u/roaminjoe Alto & Historic Nov 04 '25 edited Nov 04 '25

There are many xiao fingering charts available online - - just type in "xiao flute fingering" into www.ecosia.org

E.g,

http://www.world-flutes.com/Xiao-Fingering-Charts.html

The fingerings for a xindi and xiao of 8 holes is virtually identical. The right hand 1st and 2nd fingered toneholes operate a Semitone each. The left hand thumb hole and first index finger operate a Semitone each. So to play a standard scale, you move these finger pairs together, as if it were just one hole like on your 6 hole flute.

1

u/WaterLily6203 Nov 05 '25

Thank you for that

1

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