11. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Below is the music sheet for Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star:

It uses all the notes you have learnt so far. That is:

bass 1, bass 2, bass 3, alto 1, alto 2 and alto 3

Learn how to play this song here

10. Au Clair De La Lune

Below is the music sheet for "Au Clair De La Lune" :

It uses only 3 notes:  alto 1, alto 2 and alto 3.

Watch the video here

9. Merrily We Roll Along

Below is the music sheet for the song Merrily We Roll Along:

Note that it uses only the notes: bass 5, bass 6 and bass 7

Watch the video here

8. Hot Cross Buns

Today, we play a favourite popular melody called "Hot Cross Buns".  The music sheet is as shown below:

Is uses only 3 notes:

alto 1, alto 2 and alto 3.

Watch the video here

7. Notes of the first octave

Below is the fingering chart for notes of the first octave:

 

The dot below each number indicates a bass note.  

Below is the music sheet for the BAG Song:

 

View the video here

6 How to hold the dizi

Below are several pictures on how to hold the dizi:

Note the importance of the right hand 4th finger (pinky). It helps to hold and stabilise the dizi.

Watch the video here

5 Making a sound

The cross section of the dizi when blowing is as shown below:

Notice that part of the air goes in the dizi whilst some go across. The splitting of the air is what makes the sound.

Watch the video here

4 How to cover the membrane hole

You can use:

1.  dimo 笛膜 ( membrane )  with ejiao 阿胶 ( gelatine glue )

2.  dimo with gluestick

3.  cellophane tape


to cover the membrane hole.

Above dizi uses cellophane tape

Above uses the dimo

The cellophane tape is easier to manage. You can easily paste it on or peel it off and it doesn't go out of tune during the course of the day.

The dimo can change tone during the course of the day. So if this happens, just wet the area around the dimo and stretch the dimo over the membrane hole to adjust it taut.

Watch the youtube video here

About the dimo

About the ejiao

3 How to assemble the dizi

Some dizi come in 1 piece, e.g. 

The above is a one-piece G key dizi, no assembly is required

The above is a two-piece D key dizi. This needs to be assembled.

I use silicone spray

Above is a close view of the back portion of the spray can.

View the youtube video instructions here

2. Which dizi should I buy : A comparison of the G key and D key dizi

Below are the comparison of the physical dimensions of the G key and the D key dizi

1.  The G key (top) is 46 cm long, whilst the D key below is 62 cm

2. A closer view

3. Another close up view

4. Comparing length from top

5. Aligning the blow hole side by side

6. Blow hole (on top) is aligned

7. Comparing diameter. G key on left, and D key on right

8. G key (left) is about 2 cm in diameter, D key (right) is 2.5 cm diameter

Watch the youtube video to hear what they sound like

The G key has a higher pitch, whilst the D key is lower in pitch. You can use any dizi to play all Chinese dizi music. Dizi music uses numbers. Therefore, one music score can be played by all dizi of any key.

1. Introduction

Welcome to my blog on How to Play the Dizi (Chinese Bamboo Flute). This blog will supplement my videoblogs on youtube.  Thanks for visiting and remember to bookmark.

View the youtube video