132 !!Chapter 6
The original Zen music for Shakuhachi is called Honkyoku and is
played with bamboo flutes tuned only to the bamboo; since there is no
traditional tuning and the tuning varies between instruments, Honkyoku
music is only played solo.
Chinese Dizi Bamboo Flute (D’tzuorAhu Di)
The dizi is similar to a traditional modern flute (held horizontally) but is
made of bamboo. It has one blowhole, one membrane hole, six finger
holes, and two pairs of holes at the end. Some dizis are made with 7 or 12
keys, but those are not traditional instruments. The dizi dates back to the
Yuan dynasty (a.d.1279–1368).
The two types of dizi flutes are the bon di and the qun di. In the north,
the flute was used in the Bon Zi Opera, located in northern China; the sing-
ing was accompanied by the bon di. The flute is pitched higher than the
qun di. The Quan Opera, located in southern China, was accompanied by
the qun di. Dizi players generally use three fingers. The average range is
two octaves plus several additional notes.
Chinese Xiao Bamboo Flute
The xiao is played vertically and provided the basic design for the Japa-
nese Shakuhachi bamboo flute.
Peruvian Pan Flute (Zampona)
The pan flute is made of bamboo shoots in various sizes and keys. It is one
of the oldest instruments in the world. Its sound, which is beautiful and
soothing yet can be highly dramatic, has been very popular in film music.
The instrument sounds enjoyable playing either slow or fast music. The
European pan flute player Zamfir is the most popular modern-day propo-
nent of the instrument.
African Flutes
Flutes are part of most African cultures. Most are made of bamboo, but
other materials are used, including wood, gourds, clay, horns, and various
other materials. Some are built to be played like a traditional flute (trans-
verse), while others are held vertically. Some are round or oval. Most Afri-
can flutes have two to six holes.
Didgeridoo
The didgeridoo originated in northern Australia and is recognized as ‘‘the
sound of Australia.’’ It is a long flute-like instrument made from tree