Tuliang

Tuliang is a transverse wind instrument of Jingpo ethnic minority group. It is popular in Dehong, Yunnan Province in China.

It is made of tiger bamboo, with just one blow hole and no finger holes on it.

The playing method is very special: the left hand holds the tube end with the thumb on the vent. The blow hole is placed under the lower lip. The blowing methods and sound principle are similar to that of a dizi. But the right palm is placed at the other end of the flute. Both hands are used to open or close the flute to achieve great tonal changes. With skillful control of air strength and appropriate opening and closing of one or both hands, it is incredible that over two octaves can be played.

Wide tone range, large volume, clear and bright high tones, melancholy low tones. Because of its sad tone, Jingpo people never play it in the village. Children like to play it in up in the mountain or in the field when crops are ripen in autumn.