Short answer: Some people get a sound in their first lesson; others take a few days. It mostly comes down to embouchure (lip shape) and breath. With the right technique most beginners get there quickly — playing steadily and beautifully takes ongoing practice. Tiao doesn't run crash courses, but you can try a HK$200 trial lesson with a dizi loan included.

Why can't I get a sound?

1. Embouchure
You don't blow into a dizi — you direct a narrow stream of air across the embouchure hole so it splits on the far edge. Keep your lips relaxed with a small, flat opening.

2. Angle and position
The embouchure hole sits against your lower lip, covered by roughly a third. Rolled too far in or out, you'll only hear air.

3. Too much (or too little) air
Beginners often blow too hard. A steady, focused airstream — like gently cooling a spoonful of hot soup — is enough.

4. The membrane (dimo)
The dizi has a membrane hole covered with a thin membrane, which gives the instrument its bright, buzzy tone. Too tight, too loose or torn, and the sound suffers.

A Tiao dizi teacher demonstrating in class

How to apply the membrane

  • Spread a thin layer of glue (traditionally ejiao or a dedicated membrane glue) around the membrane hole.
  • Stretch the membrane lightly and press it on, leaving small, even wrinkles.
  • Too many wrinkles make the tone rough; too few make it dull. Expect some trial and error.

For membranes and accessories, see our Dizi Buying Guide.

How much should I practise?

Beginners don't need long sessions. 15–20 minutes a day of long tones and embouchure work beats an hour once a week. Wipe your dizi dry afterwards — see Four Essentials of Dizi Care.

Tiao dizi students playing together

Self-teaching or lessons?

You can teach yourself to make a sound, but small embouchure and breathing errors are hard to spot on your own and harder to fix once they become habits. A teacher watching you in real time saves a lot of detours. Tiao offers dizi group classes (HK$1,080 for 4 lessons) and 1-to-1 lessons — see the Dizi Lessons page.

FAQ

Is it normal not to get a sound in the first lesson?
Completely normal. Embouchure and breath take time; your teacher will guide you step by step.

Do you offer crash courses?
No. We focus on solid foundations.

Do I need to buy a dizi first?
No — the HK$200 trial includes an instrument loan.

Book a HK$200 dizi trial

About 3 minutes from Mong Kok MTR Exit E2.

👉 Book your dizi trial on WhatsApp