Hsüan

Hsüan ovoid *globular flute of China, known since the Shang period (mid-second millennium B.C.). Originally of bone, later of clay or porcelain. The earliest ones had 2 or 3 holes, by the 11th c. 8 holes, later usually 6 or 7. Today there is a blowhole on top of the red-lacquered body, with 4-6 fingerholes. The hsüan serves in Confucian rites. It corresponds to the hun of Korea (89, 132, 170). Sort by:DefaultTitleDateAuthorAscendingDescending Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 5th…