Transposition Table for Chinese National Wind Instruments

The Transposition Table for Chinese National Wind Instruments is a specialized table that records how traditional Chinese wind instruments (such as bamboo flutes, dongxiao [vertical bamboo flutes], suona horns, etc.) achieve key changes through different fingerings. It is an indispensable tool for learning and performing Chinese national wind music. The table clearly shows the corresponding key changes when the same instrument uses different "tongyin as X" fingerings (where "tongyin" refers to the lowest note produced when all finger holes are closed), allowing performers to play pieces in multiple keys on a single instrument.
This is a relatively comprehensive table that can theoretically meet all transposition scenarios for bamboo flutes. However, as bamboo flutes are "fixed-pitch instruments", the spacing between their finger holes is determined by the instrument’s basic key (for example, a C-key bamboo flute has wider finger hole spacing, while a D-key one has narrower spacing). After transposition, there is an inherent deviation between the "theoretical pitch" and "actual sound" of some finger holes, which can only be compensated for by performing techniques. Low-cost bamboo flutes have low manufacturing precision, so the transposition error will be more noticeable.
The essence of transposition lies in the "coordinated adaptation of fingerings and breath control". After proficiently mastering commonly used transpositions, intonation issues will naturally decrease. For less frequently used (obscure) transpositions, one can selectively tackle them based on the requirements of the piece, and there is no need to pursue "mastery of all fingerings".

Transposition Table for Chinese National Wind Instruments

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