World Flutes Master
Peace web theme set courtesy of Crystal Cloud Graphics web set icon




Crystal Cloud Graphics
Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape
Cuidemos
el Medio Ambiente
Safe Creative #0710030006537
comprar
Xi-u Xi-u is a double-reed aerophone of H'mong people, a minority living the Northern Vietnam.

Xi-u comprises 4 components including body, bell, stake, and reed. The body is a cylindrical hollow hard-wooden tube of 25 cm length. There are 8 fingering holes, of which, 1 hole is located at one side of the body and near the reed stake, and the 7 other holes are vertically arranged in equal distance at the front side of the body. The pyramid-shaped bell is made from brass. The reed stake is made from metal while reed is made from goose feather.

When playing Xi-u, instrumentalist holds in his mouth the whole reed, and takes breath at his nose and breathes out at mouth forcing air into the reed. By such a blowing way, the instrumentalist can play for hours without breaking-off of his breath. Sound range of Xi-u consists of 2 octaves including Do (perfect) - Re (tender) - Mi (tender) - Fa (hard) - Sol (perfect) - La (tender) - Si (tender) - Do1 (perfect). The techniques applied to playing Xi-u vary from this musical piece to another piece but usually consist of tongue techniques like flutter-tongue, tongue articulation, and glissando.

Xi-u is the instrument exclusively for men played in ensemble with other instruments in customary rituals of H'mong community.