Xun (instrument)

Xun (Chinese埙/埙, Pinyin Xun ) is one of the oldest musical instruments in China with a history of about 6,000 to 7,000 years. This wind instrument belongs like the ocarinas to the vessel flutes.

The oldest Xun were made of stone and bone, and probably used by hunters to attract prey. As far as we know, it was not making music since the earliest findings had only one hole.

The Xun developed very slowly. It was not until about 4000 years later, five-hole instruments were used in the Shang Dynasty. From that time it was an important tool in the court music of China especially in sacrificial ceremonies.

The Xun is available in different sizes - from the goose egg -shaped larger version to smaller peach -shaped instruments. Traditional possessed Xun five to seven holes on the instrument body and a mouth hole at the top for sound generation. The range of playable notes was thus quite limited.

Nowadays, a Xun has 6 finger holes in the front and two thumb holes at the back, which increases the number of notes you can play.

In the " Forbidden City " in Beijing a six-hole Xun is issued from the Qing Dynasty, which is about 100 years old. It is 8.5 cm high and 7 cm wide, covered with red paint and delicate incised dragons and clouds.

The Xun developed a haunting sound. The pieces in which it is played, are characterized by a melancholy, elegant, almost mystical and slightly sad atmosphere.