The resonance hole with membrane; a distinctive feature of East Asian transverse flutes
Akiko Odaka · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 2012
The East Asia region, except for mainland Japan, has transverse flutes which have resonance holes with a membrane. The dizi in China, the taegum in Korea and the fansō in Okinawa are good examples of this. Generally, a reed caliber epidermis is used as the membrane. Chinese dizi players point out that a reed epidermis creates a louder and clearer resonance than other materials. In China, transverse flutes with a resonance hole appeared in the Song dynasty, when Chinese theatrical music became popular. A transverse flute was played as the main accompaniment with other stringed and percussion musical instruments. Ordinarily, theatrical plays were performed outside. It was under these circumstances that the resonance hole was added, creating a louder, clearer sound. The Korean taegum is thought to have existed since the Three Kingdoms period (57B.C.-668). Its resonance creates variegated timbre combined with taegum's unique vibrato techniques. The Okinawan fansō has its origin in the Chinese dizi of the Ming dynasty. However, currently, musicians play an improved fansō, which has no resonant holes. This presentation will show the historical and musical background of the resonance hole and will include music recordings.