The different types of Chinese woodwind instruments can be categorized into 3 main groups based on the tones that they produce and the ways of playing the instruments.
1. By blowing air directly into the instrument such as the "Xiao" and "Dizi".
2. By blowing air into the double-reeded end of the instrument such as "Suona".
3. By blowing air into the instrument to vibrate the reeds inside them, producing sounds such as the "Sheng".
The term xiao or dongxiao specially identifies the instrument as an end-blown notched flute; the prefix means "hole" in Chinese. Xiao players can be seen among the pottery figurines of the Han dynasty and in the tomb brick-wall paintings of the Wei and Jin period (220-420).
Traditional xiaos have six finger holes, while most modern ones have eight; the additional holes do not extend the instrument's range but instead make it easier to play notes such as F natural. The blowing hole is at the top end, it may be cut into a 'U' shape, a "V" shape, or at an angle (with or without bone/ivory inlay.)
The soft timbre and the low volume make xiao a unique instrument for solo and ensemble. The euphemistic melody played by xiao usually represents fine and smooth feelings.
There are three types of xiaos: Shown is the Qin Xiao.
