Bang Di

The Di Zi (笛子, pinyin dí zi), is a unique kind of Chinese transverse flute. It is also known as the Dizi, or simply the Di, and has varieties including the Qudi and Bangdi. It is sometimes also known as the hengdi. My Di Zi (Bang Di), taken by me on May 29, 2004 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... My Di Zi (Bang Di), taken by me on May 29, 2004 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Pinyin (Chinese: 拼音, pÄ«nyÄ«n) literally means join (together) sounds (a less literal translation being phoneticize, spell or transcription) in Chinese and usually refers to HànyÇ” PÄ«nyÄ«n (汉语拼音, literal meaning: Han language pinyin), which is a system of romanization (phonemic notation and transcription to Roman script) for Standard... This article pertains to the musical instrument. ...

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 popular name (and written form) used in the West. Transliteration in a narrow sense is a mapping from one system of writing into another. ...

The di zi is a major Chinese musical instrument, popular not only in Chinese Folk Music, Chinese Operas and Chinese Orchestras, but also used in music exported to the west. The di zi has a deep, rich history, and a lasting appeal. Traditionally, the di zi has also been popular among the Chinese common people, since it is simple to make, easy to carry, and of course, beautiful when played. A musical instrument is a device that has been constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... Music of China appears to date back to the dawn of Chinese civilization, and documents and artifacts provide evidence of a well-developed musical culture as early as the Zhou Dynasty (1122 BC - 256 BC). ... 19th century Chinese opera Chinese opera costumes Chinese opera is a popular form of drama in China. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

Di Zi Bamboo membrane

Most di zi are made of bamboo, which explains why di zi are sometimes known by simple names such as 'The Chinese Bamboo Flute'. However, 'bamboo' is perhaps more of a Chinese instrument classification like 'woodwind' in the West. My di zi rice paper, taken by myself on May 29, 2004 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... My di zi rice paper, taken by myself on May 29, 2004 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... ... A woodwind instrument is a musical instrument in which sound is produced by blowing through a mouthpiece against an edge or by a vibrating reed, and in which the pitch is varied by opening or closing holes in the body of the instrument. ...

In truth, although bamboo is the common material for di zi, it is also possible to find di zi made from other kinds of kinds of wood, or even from stone. Jade di zi (or yudi) are popular among both collectors interested in the almost magical beauty of jade di zi, and among professional players who seek an instrument with look that matches the quality of their renditions. Material is the substance or matter from which something is or can be made, or also items needed for doing or creating something. ... This is a list of woods, in particular those commonly used in the timber and lumber trade. ... Our earth is composed of three main types of rock, each having been formed in its own special way. ... A selection of antique, hand-crafted Chinese jadeite jade buttons Jade An ornamental stone, jade is a name applied to two different silicate minerals. ... See also: Collector, New South Wales a town This is a list of noted collectors. ...

The di zi is not the only bamboo flute of China, although it is certainly distinctive. Other Chinese bamboo instruments include the xiao, the guan, and the bawu. Xiao can mean: Xiao — Chinese end-blown flute. ... The bawu (also ba wu) is a Chinese wind instrument. ...

The Dizi's uniqueness

Whereas most simple flutes have only a blow-hole (an embouchure, known as Chui kong in Chinese) and finger-holes, the di zi has very different additional hole, called a Muo kong, between the embouchure and finger-holes. A special membrane or Di mo, made from an almost tissue-like shaving of bamboo, is made taut and glued over this hole, traditionally with a chinese garlic-based glue called Ar Jiao. Garlic juice or glue sticks may also be used to adhere the dimo. This application process, in which fine wrinkles are created in the centre of the dimo to create a penetrating buzzy timbre, is an artform in itself. The embouchure is the shaping of the lips to the mouthpiece of a wind instrument. ... The Di mo is a special bamboo membrane; a kind of musical reed used in a distinctive Chinese flute called the Di zi. ... Ar Jiao is a traditional kind of glue which is well known as the substance used for applying Di mo, a special paper-like musical reed membrane, to the Di zi, which is a kind of a Chinese flute. ...

The Muo kong has a distinctive resonating effect on the sound produced by the di zi, making it brighter and louder, and adding harmonics to give the final tone a buzzing, nasal quality. Di zi have a relatively large range, covering about two-and-a-quarter octaves. In physics, resonance is the tendency of a system to absorb more oscillatory energy when the frequency of the oscillations matches the systems natural frequency of vibration (its resonant frequency) than it does at other frequencies. ... In acoustics and telecommunication, the harmonic of a wave is a component frequency of the signal that is an integral multiple of the fundamental frequency. ... In music, an octave (sometimes abbreviated 8ve or 8va) is the interval between one musical note and another with half or double the frequency. ...

Di zi are often played using various advanced techniques, such as circular breathing, slides, popped notes, harmonics, "flying finger" trills, multiphonics, fluttertonguing, and double-tonguing. Most professional players have a set of seven di zi, each in a different key (and size). Additionally, master players and those seeking distinctive sounds such as birdsong may use extremely small or very large di zi. When all of these qualities are combined by a master player, the di zi can be a very versatile, unique, and truly beautiful instrument. Circular breathing is a special technique utilized primarily by players of the didgeridoo (and some other wind instruments) in order to continuously blow air out of the mouth. ...

Origins

There are many suggestions for the source of Di zi. While some suggest that the Yellow Emperor ordered his government official to make the bamboo musical instrument, others believe that Di zi was imported into China during the Han Dynasty. Yellow Emperor The Yellow Emperor or Huang Di (Chinese: 黃帝, Simplified Chinese: 黄帝, pīnyīn: huángdì) is a legendary Chinese sovereign and cultural hero who is said to be the ancestor of all Han Chinese. ... Han commanderies and kingdoms AD 2. ...

Recently, archaeologists have discovered evidence suggesting that the simple transverse flutes (though without the distinctive Muo Kong of the di zi) have been present in China for over 8000 years. Fragments of bone flutes from this period are still playable today, and are remarkably similar to modern versions in terms of hole placement, etc. These flutes share common features of other simple flutes from cultures all around the world, including the Ney, which was depicted in Egyptian pyramids. In fact, recent archeological discoveries in Africa suggest that the history of such flutes may date back a very long way in human history indeed. Woman playing the ney in a painting from the Hasht-Behesht Palace in Isfahan Iran, 1669 The ney (also nai, nye, nay) is an end-blown flute that figures prominently in Middle Eastern music--in some of these musical traditions, it is the only wind instrument used. ... For other versions including architectural Pyramids, see Pyramid (disambiguation). ...

Styles

Contemporary di zi styles are divided into two: The Style of North and the style of South, each style having different preferences in di zi skills. In Northern China, for example, the Bangdi is used to accompany the Bang Zi opera, with a sound that is bright and vigorous. In Southern China, the Qudi accompanies the Kunqu opera, with a more mellow, sentimental tone. Alternative meaning: In geology, North China (continent) and South China (continent) were two ancient landmasses that correspond to modern northern and southern China. ... Alternative meaning: In geology, North China (continent) and South China (continent) were two ancient landmasses that correspond to modern northern and southern China. ... Kunqu (崑曲;, pinyin: Kūnqǔ; Wade-Giles: kun-chü), also known as Kunju, Kun opera or Kunqu Opera, is the oldest extant form of Chinese opera. ...

For more information on other Chinese musical instruments, visit Music of China. This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

External links

• 2 Measures at a Time - Suppliers a complete dizi course, and instruments, with sample mp3s available online.
• AudioLunchbox - One of many online Dizi music sellers.