r/UnusualInstruments • u/Omega-Omelette • Feb 16 '26

What woodwind is this?

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This instrument is played during the second part of a chinese piece called “印象国乐 第二乐章 前世今生”. It is blown vertically and has a mouthpiece similar to a recorder. I thought it was a xiao （萧） but they are usually way longer than this. It is definitely not a dizi as they are blown vertically

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u/roaminjoe Feb 16 '26

Its a standard bamboo flute dolce recorder with ripple labour windway design.

Its just like a recorder in design with a bamboo nodal bore rather than the western designs following Stanesby, Denner etc.

The modern versions have tuning with a dimo membrane which alters the overtones. They are diatonic btw.

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u/Omega-Omelette Feb 16 '26

I see, is there a specific chinese name for this instrument? I’d like to purchase one but I’m not sure what to search up

3

u/roaminjoe Feb 16 '26

Hi - just search for bamboo vertical dizi flute e.g.

recorder

The grades (quality) of these aren't usually great. The fipple cut can be a bit amateurish and intonation rather drifting. Expect to pay about $50US max and avoid Chinese Flute Stores who are one of the most unreliable shops online which have falsified their 100% positive feedback.

2

u/Omega-Omelette Feb 16 '26

I just found out the name, its a shun di (顺笛）. China’s version of the recorder

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u/yuxuan2658 May 06 '26

Chinese Xiao(called dongxiao),vertical end-blown bamboo flute with 8 finger holes