Xun

The Xun (壎 / 埙)
Origin of this unique wind instrument dates back to the Stone Age and has much to do with early Chinese hunting practices. During ancient times, people often tied a stone or mud ball to the rope that was used for hunting wild animals. Some of the balls were hollow, which allowed it make many sounds when thrown. Most people found it enjoyable and learned how to blow air into it. Gradually, the "stone meteor" became the musical instrument we know as "xun".
The use of xun in the Chinese history was found mainly in the performance of palace music. However, the sound of xun is also associated as the symbol of respectable hermits, lady in sorrow, or heroes at the end of their strength, and is considered the best instrument to perform a heartbreaking tone, or to make solemn music within the royal court. The sound of xun represents a particular beauty, which combines with loneliness, desolate and elegance.
Player: Veronika Vitazkova
Video production: Risto Nikolic
veronika-vitazkova.com/
/ veronika_vitazkova

[@virginiwoolf]

musí to byť krásny pocit byť takto prepojený s hudobným nástrojom cez dych 💙

[@JankaDuracikova-ez1cf]

No veru...💓🎼🙏

[@JoenMikkelSimonsen]

☮ cool Sound 👍

[@dfgdfffh]

...........OH MY GOOD GOLLY GOSH!!!!!! :D :D :D I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the Sound of a Xun!! It sounds so spooky, desolate, lonely, haunting, gorgeous and BEAUTIFUL!!! :) :) :) I really REALLY love this upload of yours, you are GREATLY appreciated!!!! THANKS A LOT FOR THE INSPIRATION, Miss Beautiful, have yourself an AWESOME and AMAZING rest of your Day/Night!!!

[@coopart1]

Absolutely wonderful! Very expressive!

[@davidtegelaar8849]

You make all of the various instruments you play sound so great. I have to hold myself back from buying some of them! I know I'm a guitarist and that strings are where I belong. :) Appreciate your demos of these instruments especially the ones I hadn't known about but maybe recognize their sound. Good luck with everything!

[@ZurrTaumiz]

Very dirge-like... just outstanding musicianship 👏

[@veronika_vitazkova]

thankyou so much for listening 😊

[@guohuachen3573]

好听👍

[@huas5350]

amazing

[@veronika_vitazkova]

thank you for listening!🙏🏾

[@tamlinhtinhtam]

Do you have a Xun sheet or tab on this kind of sound?

[@Kalimbasound]

Hello, my first xun arrived yesterday. When ordering, I chose the G key. I thought I will get a low G(Sol) , but with all the holes closed, the sound is re (D) Soo i don't understand - is it a mistake of xun maker or i dont know much about xuns? Then what should be the letter on the Xun so that with all the holes closed there would be the sound of low G ?

[@veronika_vitazkova]

I am sorry, I also don´t know so much about xuns--- but I am planing to find out. I also didn´t have any finger charts and on youtube you can find so little. I jsut tried to make som music without thinking about it too much :)

[@Kalimbasound]

​@@veronika_vitazkovaI actually searched more and found some fingering charts, also I found out that the key that is on the xun (for example G like I have) is the middle note of Xun and the lowest note is Re (D) . (I mean when all holes are covered it's the lowest note that instrument can produce) For example if your Xun has letter F means the lowest note is Do (C). Unfortunately, sellers don't mention this, this is why I thought that the seller sent me wrong xun, I was expecting it to have Sol (G) as a lowest note, everything is different about Chinese instruments, the note which is graved on the body of instrument isn't the lowest note that instrument can produce but it's the middle note

[@dfgdfffh]

Hello again, Miss, can you possibly give me a link to where I can get this EXACT Xun? Thanks for uploading a Beautiful and Wonderful Video!!! :D

[@veronika_vitazkova]

thank you so much! I got it from a flea market, I am sorry, I don´t have any more informations 🥲

[@JankaDuracikova-ez1cf]

💓🙏🌷

[@rhysd5435]

This was so serene. What is this particular xun made of?

[@veronika_vitazkova]

thank you! not sure, clay or ceramics..

[@user-lt1gx7du9i]

In the early days, there were bones, clay, wood and bamboo. There are resins in modern times.

[@anthonyqueen9623]

the sounds from 7000 years ago in china.

[@danielpatriota2645]

amazing, try the brazilian pifano please

[@joannesmith1175]

where can I find the music piece that you was playing?

[@veronika_vitazkova]

Hi, I am improvising 😅 so it is not a piece yet

[@joannesmith1175]

@@veronika_vitazkova Can you do a tutorial on how to read a xun music peice

[@user-lt1gx7du9i]

加油❤

[@MissionSilo]

I have no idea what key mine is in and the owner manual is in Chinese 😅

[@user-lt1gx7du9i]

Haha, come on. Maybe you need a Chinese translator. In fact, the blowing method is a bit like a flute, but it needs to master different inlet angles and speeds.

[@LoganStargazer]

As I was listening to you play, I could picture a group of Native Americans sitting around a fire and an old man telling a story...

[@tatianaalanana5537]

Xun is Chinese 😊

[@LoganStargazer]

@@tatianaalanana5537 Yes and the sound is very much haunting like a native American flute.

[@nikkiangelique3082]

It sounds like part of the Avatar the Last airbender theme songs

[@veronika_vitazkova]

thank you :)

[@fannmos]

It’s basically the ocarina, but is lower

[@dfgdfffh]

Hello there, Fannmos, which one do you prefer: Ocarina or the Xun??! LOL :P I think I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the sound of each one but...I would say I prefer the Xun...BUUUT!!! That's just me, let me know what you think? :) :) :)