Flute

Flute

Sheng wind instrument with a cup-like base coated with black lacquer and an ivory tipped mouthpiece carved ivory at bottom of base. 17 bamboo reeds of differing lengths partially lacquered with bamboo tips fit into holes in base Finger holes in all reeds but 4 which are "dummy" pipes. The Sheng is supposed to resemble the phoenix bird in shape. Its use goes back 3000 years in China and is played by blowing air into and sucking air from the wind chamber at the same time fingering the holes. The 4 "dummy" pipes balance the Sheng.

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