Xun is one of China's earliest wind instruments, and this piece was produced with the pottery excavated at the Yin Ruins, Anyang. According to ancient records, “Fuxi, the mythical first ruler of China, made Xun by burning clay. This story indicates that the instrument emerged in the remote era of the Three August Ones and the Five Emperors.

 

The Xun referred to here is a top-side-down conch shape. It features a round opening at the top. To be specific, it is a Five-Sound-Hole Xun, 3 sound holes are in a reverse pyramid arrangement on one lower side, and 2 holes in symmetrical distribution can be found on the other side. The holes are different sizes, but the same shape.The instrument has a flat bottom.

 

According to sound measurement, the instrument is able to produce 11 different sounds, and extends 7 scales. As a variety of scale and tone was available, the manufacture of the instrument was proven to be standardized to certain extent, and in this respect it might have enjoyed standard or absolute pitch. The musical timbre, lonely and melancholic expresses a plaintive voice. The unique Chinese closed wind instrument has preserved an ancient world of sound and music, leading us to poetic imagery full of vastness and sorrowfulness.

 

 

 

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