Just a note: if you use cellophane tape rather than dimo membrane you won't get the traditional dizi sound; you'll get a standard 6-hole flute sound. The membrane is intended to vibrate a bit, and gives the dizi that unique sound. In addition one can use a glue stick, but it's not the same as dimo glue which dries hard. Most dizi come with dimo included but if not, one should be able to find it reasonably cheap. The average cost of a dizi and all supplies is far less than the cost of most other musical instruments. A beginners dizi can cost from $10 to $30 (professional instruments are of course more). That is dirt cheap for a musical instrument. If one has to pay $5 for a dimo stick, that's still dirt cheap. : ) Thanks for the video. It showed essentials of unpacking the membrane that one would not figure out without instruction.
Thanks snoot , I did notice a difference. I used electrical tape with sticky side facing out so I would not damage the wood. When I moved or stretched the tape (a little) I thought do was different but I have never played any instrument so I was not sure. Your comment has confirmed that I was correct not to stick the tape . I will try to buy membrane material for the correct sound. I am about to buy a $200 dizi or flute ? That is also a staff/sword and spear so the little price of the membrane is nothing if I really want to play nice music. Thank you again ( how can anyone make an instrument this cheap and be so nice 😁?) Just found membrane on eBay 5 pieces for €3.45 🤣😂👍 Glue €2.40 🤣👍
I read in a comment here or on another video, if you cover the hole with a strip of grocery store plastic bag, then tape it down tight on all 4 sides, it sounds very close to having a traditional dimo across it. It works very well, at least for practicing and learning
Thank you so much for the demonstration, sir.. It was very helpful.. I will try to apply this technique to place the Dimo membrane to the membrane hole in my flute too, sir.. Thanks again.. Your explanation was simple and really easy to catch.. Great job, sir.. I really appreciate your effort to share the knowledge with people around.. Keep doing such kind of beneficial videos, sir..👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻😊
I've been looking at buying a dizi from Amazon -- one that seems well made, comes in a choice of keys, includes a hard carrying case and a bag for the assembled instrument, a packet of dimo, and a gelatin block. I couldn't tell from the illustrations which hole was to to covered with the dimo and which was for blowing, but you've made it clear. For the price, I'm now certain I'll get one -- black bamboo in key of C, the tonal range I've loved for more than half a century. I've wanted to play a flute since I was a small child, but could never afford the complicated metal/mechanical Western flutes (even a student instrument is hundreds of dollars); I have a ceramic one of the five-hole variety, but could never consistently get a tone from it (probably a combination of incorrect embrasure and a too-soft edge on the blow hole). I bought a book twenty years or so ago about making a flute from plastic pipe, but never got around to building one. Recently, I've been wavering between a shakuhachi and a dizi, but I prefer a transverse instrument with a full scale, so the dizi wins (and costs half as much for a beginner instrument as even the cheap plastic shakuhachi I've seen).
Excellent video - glad I came across it, Good English instructions, plenty of alternatives-- but I blew my ear drums when you clang the Flute on the table surface
thank you very much, i dont know what my flute called cuz it has extra hole, and i watch this video and i found that this is a membrane hole, very useful video thank you
Good tutorial.. but can you explain me about the dizi please? I bought the bitter one and it's cheaper than the usual. What's the different with the expensive one? Does the sound is bad the bitter one?
Paul Chin thank you! I've used the glue stick it worked out well! I'll practice everyday! It would be nice if you could make tutorials for some songs! There aren't any good tutorials on RU-vid!
Thank you so much! Now, I'm just left wondering when and how often I will have to replace the membrane. Will it be obviously nonfunctional, or will it become gradually to the point of repair?
When the membrane tears, you need to replace it. If it loosens you get an ugly sound - you will know when you hear it. The membrane also is visibly loose on inspection. Just dab some water to around the hole of the membrane to wet it then stretch it taut and let it dry.
Hi, It is about 2 octaves, but the higher octaves is harder to hit. You can checkout my explanation here pauldizi.blogspot.com/2016/09/7-notes-of-first-octave.html
@@PaulChin20 I want to make E bass (when upper three hole close it sounds E) dizi flute, I made India flute nut want to try this one Can you Help me Please 🙏
When I got my flute I didn’t understand what the membrane paper was?. I thought it was to keep out the damp from the box. I thought you had to put your finger over the hole and then stretch to the other holes. Very helpful video thanks.
If you don't have erjiao you can find a Chinese doctor, he can provide it. It's an herb used for treating bleeding after pregnancy. Probably a good idea to tell the doctor what you intend to do with it.
Hello Master Paul Chin! I just want to ask you about the appearance of the membrane, I just got my dizi and I searched in google on how to put and paste the dimo. An article said that it should be stretched with wrinkles when pasting it in the dizi. but I noticed that you didn't put wrinkles in attaching your dimo but you stretched it and flatened. I am now confused. please answer me master.. . I'm so excited to play and learn it.. TTOTT
Hi BubbleGuMae, I am just a beginner learning the dizi too, hahaha. Anyway, to answer your question. So far I have not tried putting wrinkles on the dimo. Not so sure how it will affect the sound. But you can try and see and share your experience with us.
I received the glue Ejiao but no membrane material ? I did not want to damage the wood or permanently stick celotape so I used electrical tape, but I turned the sticky side of the tape outward and made a full band around the dizi . It stays in place like a elastic band. This way I can remove it when I get the correct material. I don't know if this is unnecessary but I want to protect the dizi. Thank you for explaining the glue ! I did not know what this item was for 🤔🤣. I practice a little each day, Please can you show which fingers should cover the holes ? 谢谢，新年快乐 Xièxiè, xīnnián kuàilè
The cellophane tape won't damage the dizi. In fact, when you apply the membrane later, you may need to dab some water around it. Also, when the membrane becomes loose, you may want to dab a little water to wet the ejiao and then pull the membrane tight. As for the fingering, here is the full playlist for learning dizi: ru-vid.com/group/PLPgAYdt-lXo3wgFMGlTVt3KT6aWU9npcO
hi, i would like to ask, how do you know that your paper membrane is broken?? you mean that its tear or something like that?? and i want to ask if i use cellophane or scotch tape, its mean that i don't need to change them since they're tape and don't break easily right??
If it's torn you will be able to visibly see it. And your dizi won't sound. If you use cellophane tape, it will last much longer and won't tear so easily.
No drawbacks - I mostly use cellophane tape - it lasts longer than the dimo. Dimo breaks easily and you need to change it regularly. However, dizi masters prefer the dimo because of its distinctive sound which portrays the dizi's identity.
Yes, I do that too, sometimes. It is easier to maintain too. Just peel off old one and stick on new one. With dimo you need special glue and maintainenance of the dimo.
Hallo everyone! Can you please help me? I got my first dizi a few days ago, and at first, I had covered the hole with cellophane tape. That sounded pretty good, once I had figured out how to blow. So I know the flute is basically okay. But now I have put on the membrane, like the video says, and now it sounds more like a duck with a cold. Can any of you guess what I did wrong? I did pay attention to the direction of the fibres, so that can't be it....
Congrats on your first dizi. Try wetting the membrane a little - just a little - and stretch it taut - then let it dry and try again. It will sound better.
@@PaulChin20 Thank you so much for your response. I'm finding your videos very useful. I'm getting my first dizi (G) in about a week so I'm trying to gather so much information as possible before it gets here.
Hi, you can buy on ebay, just search for dimo glue, or, dimo gelatin, or dimo ejiao. However, you can also use a glue stick if you do not have the glue :)
@@bumblegiveseventyeight9686 Yes, G dizi is shorter and therefore higher in pitch. C (and D) is longer and lower in pitch. This video demonstrates the differences: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UGBp3Whxi2w.html
If you don't cover the hole, you won't be able to make any sound. It is just like the western recorder that has a hole underneath but it has to be covered at all times. The membrane has to be used (and never ever use cellophane tape as it is too thick) as it is very thin and allows the air to vibrate it like how singers vibrate their vocal cords to create a vibrato effect.
You use the hole to change the pitch of the flute. Covering the hole makes it higher or deeper pitch. Some people leave it open and place their thumb over it and change tones as they play.
@@ESRPRODUCTIONS Supposedly, for an expert player, the membrane (dimo) produces a unique dizi sound. But for me, I find cellophone tape sounds just as good - hahaha.
PLEASE HELP I USED ONE PIECE OF SCOTCH TAPE BUT IT SOUNDS BAD..WHY? I TRIED 2 PIECES BUT STILL SOUNDS BAD..WHAT DO I DO..SOUNDS AIRY AND WEAK NOT GRAINY
@@MrAL19 the way you breath might be wrong( your mouth movements ) or the quality of your flute isn't that good or you didnt out the membrane right on...
@@realcolifetina1871 You could try either G or D. G is shorter in length but higher pitched. Whereas, the D is longer in length but lower pitched. For small hands, the G is easier. There are many low cost dizis around maybe you can buy both. One G and one D dizi for her.
@@lovelygab91 A common mistake is to try to close the holes with the fingertips. That makes it difficult to reach all the holes comfortably. The correct technique for dizi is that you can use any part of the finger to close the holes. That makes it easier to reach any hole.
@@lovelygab91 You need to experiment with the right spot of the finger. If the first phalange (the topmost part of the 1st finger) fails, try gently sliding down to the second phalange of the finger.
