Suona
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The Suona is a double-reed woodwind instrument. When it was first introduced to China, its loud, strident tone made it extremely effective for inspiring soldiers in battle. Now the suona has been successfully included in traditional Chinese orchestras, and is frequently played in groups heard with the di, a kind of flute, and the sheng, an elaborate mouth organ.
| Family |
| Woodwinds |
| Pitch range |
| Just over two octaves. |
| Material |
| Wood, with brass bell. |
| Size |
| 20 in (51 cm) long. |
| Origins |
| An instrument related to the suona reached China from Central or West Asia in the 14th century. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the instrument developed to resemble the suona of today. |
| Classification |
| Aerophone: an instrument that produces its sound by the vibration of a column of air. |
| And also... |
| A circular breathing technique, in which the player breathes in through his nose while blowing into the instrument, is used to produce the uninterrupted tone that is characteristic of the suona. |
