The Chinese Dizi or bamboo flute is a wonderful sound instrument. To keep it in good shape and enjoy it for many years, here are 12 things you need to know to care for and maintain the Dizi.
1. The Dizi is made of bamboo, making it more vulnerable than a Western flute.
2. When the Dizi is exposed to very cold weather and then brought to a warmer temperature, the bamboo can expand and crack.
3. However, usually the best Dizis are the ones that crack easily as the bamboo is older and drier. Longer and larger Dizis are also more prone to cracking.
4. If the Dizi cracks, use super glue to go over the crack line. Use fine sandpaper to rub against the dried glue.
5. If the crack is large and deep, use a combination of wood shavings and glue to fill the crack. If not, send the Dizi to a professional for repair.
6. The Dizi is still playable or may even sound better even if it has been broken and repaired before.
7. However, if the crack is in the hole in the membrane, it may be more difficult to repair, as the unique ‘dimo’ sound could be affected due to the irregularity of the crack line.
8. If your Dizi has a copper tuning joint, please be careful when separating the Dizi into 2 parts to store the Dizi. This exposes the copper tuning joint to possible damage and as a result the Dizi may not fit correctly.
9. Use ‘E Jiao’ (mule skin grass) and water to fix the Dizi membrane. Do not use saliva.
10 Do not wash the Dizi with water as the water could seep into the bamboo and affect the tone of the instrument. Use a cloth to wipe away excess saliva after use and store your Dizi in a bag.
eleven To keep Dizi dry and clean, place a bag of silicone gels inside your Dizi bag. If you want your Dizi to smell nice, you can also try putting a tea leaf bag in your Dizi bag.
12 Most importantly, to maintain the cleanliness of the Dizi and for personal hygiene, please use it individually.
