Chiba () is a Chinese vertical
end-blown flute
The end-blown flute (also called an edge-blown flute or rim-blown flute) is a woodwind instrument played by directing an airstream against the sharp edge of the upper end of a tube. Unlike a recorder or tin whistle, there is not a ducted flue v ...
and one type of
xiao. It is one of the oldest Chinese
woodwind instrument
Woodwind instruments are a family of musical instruments within the greater category of wind instruments. Common examples include flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and saxophone. There are two main types of woodwind instruments: flutes and r ...
s. Unlike the northern xiao, it bears resemblance to most of the southern xiao, in that it is shorter, wider, has an open mouthpiece, slightly conical, and generally has a root end.
Of the three main types of southern xiao (known as nanxiao) it is the one that most closely resembles the Japanese
shakuhachi (also ). Most nanxiao (and northern beixiao) have a "notched" mouthpiece that is either U-shaped (Cantonese style) or V-shaped (
Fujian
Fujian (; alternately romanized as Fukien or Hokkien) is a province on the southeastern coast of China. Fujian is bordered by Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, Guangdong to the south, and the Taiwan Strait to the east. Its cap ...
ese style), whereas the chiba has an angled edge instead, giving it a far breathier sound, like that of the shakuhachi. A possible distinction between shakuhachi and chiba is that most modern shakuhachi have an ivory inlay in the mouthpiece, whereas the chiba does not. Shakuhachi also typically only have five large finger holes (four in front and thumb), whereas chiba may have from five to eight finger holes, emulating the design of other Chinese xiao.
Chinese musical instruments
End-blown flutes
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