The difference between an eight-hole and a six-hole xiao?

Traditional xiao is generally six holes, and now the improved xiao increased to eight holes, the purpose is probably two, one is because of the six holes of the finger holes is too large, especially the F key E key such xiao general hand born of small people is not good to press the real, and the second is more in order to transfer the key of the convenience, the cylinder tone for 3 and 6 of the two fingerings, the need for frequent use of the second hole and the fifth hole to open a half-hole of the situation (refers to the six holes of the xiao), this half-hole sound is not good to grasp the pitch, more difficult to master the tone

So the six-hole xiao between the first two holes and between the fourth and fifth holes to open a half-hole situation.

The xiao is divided into six holes (the front 5 after 1) and eight holes (the front 7 after 1), the xiao's principle of pressing the holes is similar to that of the flute. The spacing between the fingers of the six-hole is relatively large, especially in the key of F, which makes it difficult to play or flip the key, so the improved xiao is used in professional performance, which is the eight-hole. The eight-hole has 2 semitones more than the six-hole, which shortens the spacing between the fingers and makes it more suitable for the use of the human hand shape, and the flip key is relatively easy to use. So it is recommended to choose the eight-hole one when you are starting out.