3. Xun

 

The xun is one of the most ancient musical instruments in China and has been in use for 7,000 years. It is said that the xun originates from a hunting tool, a stone ball or clay ball with a string on it. When people throw it away to hit birds and animals, the hollowed ball would make sound under the influence of the wind. Later, people drew upon the idea and such hunting tools gradually evolved into the xun.

Originally, the xun was made of stone and bone, but later made of clay and ceramic. The xun can be made into different shapes, such as oblate, oval, round, fish-shaped and pear-shaped, among which the pear-shape is more universal. The xun is a pear-shaped aerophone, containing at least three finger holes in front and two thumb holes in the back. It has a blowing hole on top and can have up to eight smaller finger holes.

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