The Melancholic Sound from China
Nanxiao (Southern Xiao) is a bamboo flute of the Xiao family. Unlike Dizi, Xiao has no membrane. Nanxiao is mostly popular in the Fujian area of southern China. Like the Japanese Shakuhachi, NanXiao is the offspring of ChiBa and DongXiao from the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD).
Contrary to the upbeat, happy-trigger sound of Dizi, NanXiao has a more solid yet soothing tone that blends into modern music easily. For any composer who needs something different yet not really digging ethnic music, NanXiao is a welcome addition to the sound palette.
The sound character of Xiao is of something more saddened, battered, and is filled with a melancholic mood. It represents a lesser-known spirit in Chinese music, and that is why we bring out ChineeNanXiao as a featured product. The role of NanXiao will no doubt be elevated in the music world once it is properly introduced to the composers in the whole world.
Extraordinary Playability
ChineeNanxiao contains various types of legato, tremolo, slide, trill, and staccato. The note range is from C3 to G5 (for most patches).
With the extensive sampling and keyswitching, plus Aftertouch and Modwheel triggering, the live playability of ChineeNanxiao is, again, unmatched in the Chinese instrument libraries.