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Period: 618 BCE to 907 BCE
Mo Kong 膜孔
A physical component that made the dizi unique to other instruments is the mo kong which is located between the sixth finger hole and the embouchure (the part of the flute over which one places their mouth). A membrane, described as "tissue-like", which is typically produced from the inside of a bamboo or reed is glued over the hole to change the sound quality and make the instrument louder. -
206 BCE
Earliest Depictions
The earliest depiction of a Chinese type of flute occurred during the Han Dynasty (called panflute). They were made of stone, jade, and animal bones. The materials showed give us an idea about what was valuable and available at this time in China. The dizi is said to have appeared about the same time the panflute did.. It is a flute with six finger holes and one extra hole, known as a mo kong. -
119 BCE
Dizi's Official Recognization
The dizi was not nationally recognized until Zhang Qian, a messenger, brought one he had found in Western China to the Emperor at the time, Wudi. This prompted the preliminary record of the dizi in official documentation. Since then, it soared in popularity across the country. -
Period: 119 BCE to
Physical Appearance
The dizi is a form of China's artistic expression. Observing the changes over time, one can see China's varying art styles. Not only does the instrument produce a beautiful sound, but its presentation is very important too. It is common to see an ornate tassel hanging from the instrument. It can be made from jade or other more expensive materials, but most are made from bamboo which is why it is coined the Chinese bamboo flute. -
Period: 119 BCE to
Musical Transformation
The dizi rapidly became one of China's most beloved instruments and is even used to this day. In Canada, for example, we mostly listen to current music styles like pop, but China is known for upholding tradition. The dizi is featured in Chinese folk music, opera, and other traditional songs.
Below is a video of traditional Chinese music in which the dizi is played:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M4gca_uLB4 -
Period: 119 to
Dizi Changes
The dizi has remained much the same since the Yuan Dynasty. Since it only has 6 finger holes, it can be a challenge for musicians to play a wide range of notes. Some dizis have been adapted to perform like a Western flute, in which mechanical keys are added for ease of transitioning from one note to another. Other versions have been modified to have eleven holes. However, the preferred version is still the original dizi, which is known to produce the highest quality reverberating sound.
