＜p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"＞＜span＞The xiao is not just for Chinese music (though it excels in that context). These are fully-realized open-holed flutes with a tremendous range, and are ideal for many forms of music. You can play in a wide variety of styles with a remarkable tonal range.＜/span＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph"＞＜br＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"＞＜b＞＜strong class="editor-bold"＞All about the Xiao＜/strong＞＜/b＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph"＞＜br＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"＞＜span＞The Xiao (pronounced a bit like “shee-ow”) is an ancient Chinese vertical end blown flute, traditionally made from bamboo (primarily), and it is one of the most versatile open-hole flutes I’ve found. It allows for a dizzying variety of different scales and modes, putting it in the running for the ultimate “desert island flute”. It is the grandfather of what later became the shakuhachi flute after it migrated to Japan in the 14th century.＜/span＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph"＞＜br＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"＞＜span＞The traditional xiao follows the classic Chinese bei xiao design, featuring a longer body with a tuning hole matrix in the lower part of the flute. This flute copies the traditional aesthetic, and they range in length from 30” up to as much as 36” for the lowest version.＜/span＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph"＞＜br＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"＞＜span＞Both the bei xiao and the Tang xiao are eight hole instruments with tremendous range. The bei xiao typically has a capped mouthpiece. This means that it is sealed at the mouthpiece end and has a small aperture cut into it through which the player blows. The cap is made from ebonite (natural hard rubber). I also make un-capped (open ended versions) of this style that are available upon request as a custom option. ＜/span＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph"＞＜br＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"＞＜span＞I’ve been asked on a number of occasions how the compact xiao compares to the traditional design in terms of sound. My initial response was to say that there is no appreciable difference, because I was trying not to muddy the waters. But the more accurate answer would be to say that the compact xiao is about 95% equivalent to the traditional xiao in terms of sound and response. In my opinion there is a difference, and it is primarily about the harmonics of the flute. The traditional xiao have an extended bore and the tone-hole matrix spoken of previously. This tone-hole matrix does change the harmonics of the flute in a very subtle way, and it also seems to make transition to the third octave a trifle more smooth. This is very subjective, but I’ve experienced it–I feel that it imparts a richer harmonic spectrum– and I’ve heard the same thing from another xiao specialist who has tried both. To be fair, I would say that most beginner and intermediate players are unlikely to notice this at all because it takes well developed technique to really play the xiao at a level where the difference is noticeable.＜/span＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph"＞＜br＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"＞＜span＞And this difference is small enough that it can easily be eclipsed by the convenience and affordability of the compact xiao. And since the difference itself is really a difference of tone color and feel, the question of whether this is a plus or minus depends upon personal preference. If I’m making a xiao for myself and I have no intention of having to travel with it or being in a situation where a compact size is desirable or convenient, I would choose the full-length traditional xiao. Your mileage may vary. But as I say, they are so close that player budget might easily be the deciding factor, and I think that is a reasonable compromise.＜/span＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph"＞＜br＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"＞＜span＞I use a wide variety of woods, as well as ebonite, and they are most commonly in the keys of C and D (middle C and the D above it). Just to make things confusing, there is a difference in how we describe the key of a flute here in the West, versus how the Chinese indicate it. If you buy a xiao from China, it will be marked with either an F or G. What that means is that when all of the holes are closed, the lowest note it plays will actually be C or D, because F and G are considered the tonic notes of those particular flutes. So when I designate the key, you will see the Western key followed by the Chinese designation. Example: Key of C/F, or D/G.＜/span＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph"＞＜br＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"＞＜span＞I make bei xiao in a range of keys (from low to high): A/D, Bflat/Eflat, B/E, C/F, D/G, E/A, and F/Bflat.＜/span＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph"＞＜br＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"＞＜span＞To get the best possible overview of these xiao and the keys available, I recommend watching these video reviews of the new xiao line:＜/span＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph"＞＜br＞＜/p＞＜p class="editor-paragraph"＞＜br＞＜/p＞＜div class="video-embed youtube-embed"＞＜iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/9Pqhk6vHFDY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="true" title="YouTube video" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"＞＜/iframe＞＜/div＞