7. Xiao

 

The invention of xiao dates back to ancient times. Archaeological evidence shows that sound devices made of bones long existed 7,000 years ago. Such devices were made of limb bones of animals by removing marrow and making holes on the side. The device, 7 cm long with a radius of 6-8 mm, had 2 or 3 holes on the cambered surface which could make sound. Such device was considered the initial form of modern xiao as its shape, structure and articulate mechanism was similar to today’s xiao. The xiao is an ancient Chinese instrument usually thought to have developed from a simple end-blown flute used by the Qiang people of Southwest China in ancient times.

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