What is a Xun Flute?

Ever wondered about what a xun is, and how it is played? Well, the xun is an egg-shaped, wind instrument with approximately seven thousand years of history, made of pottery clay, ivory or bone. It is the only surviving instrument classified as an “earth” instrument – derived from the Chinese traditional bayin classification of musical instruments (the other categories being metal, stone, silk, bamboo, gourd, hide, wood).

This unique instrument is played by covering holes with the musician’s fingers, while blowing across the mouth hole. With a range of about two octaves, the tone colour of this instrument is mellow – and at times, haunting in nature. Check out the following handout for more information about xun fingerings!

If you wish to purchase a Xun, please click here to visit our Xun store.