Taiygu

Taiygu is a type of reed flute originating from the city of Kashgar in Xinjiang province, China. The instrument is a traditional part of Uyghur music and is often played during the Mid-Autumn Festival and other traditional celebrations. Taiygu flutes are typically made from a single piece of bamboo or reed, with a length of around 30-40 centimeters.

The instrument has a unique, mournful sound, often used in traditional Uyghur songs to express longing or sadness. The finger holes on a Taiygu flute are usually made by burning a small hole on the surface of the reed, allowing for a single pitch per length of reed. This gives the instrument its distinctive, wavering sound.

Uyghur musicians often play the Taiygu in conjunction with other traditional instruments such as the tanbur or the klezmer-style violin. In traditional Uyghur courts, the Taiygu was typically played by professional musicians who were highly esteemed for their skill and musicality.

Despite its origins in Uyghur culture, the Taiygu flute has gained popularity among musicians in other parts of China and has also been introduced into Western classical and folk music. However, its traditional craftsmanship and unique sound are still closely tied to the Uyghur musical heritage of Xinjiang province.

In recent years, efforts have been made to record and document traditional Uyghur music, including the sound of the Taiygu flute. This has helped to raise awareness of this unique instrument and the cultural traditions surrounding it, both within China and internationally.