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This study explores the history of Dadi, a newly created Chinese low-pitched bamboo flute (including Gongdi and Wan Guan Di), and compares the difference between Dadi and other traditional Chinese flutes by analyzing the special playing techniques and popular sheet music for Dadi. Comparing with traditional flutes, Dadi is closer to the human voice, easier to achieve resonance, with a broader range of tone colors, and with more expressive dynamics. To examine structure and motivation of Tan Dun’s bamboo flute solo “Trace of Bamboo”, we investigated life, works and styles of the composer and then compared different playing styles of this piece interpreted by three generations of flute players: Yu Xunfa, Chen Tao and Tang Jun Qiao. Based on two score versions and recordings of the performance of the flutists, we developed an interpretation in a way that was much closer to what the composer intended and hope it serves as a reference guide for performers who will play “Trace of Bamboo”. In the Impromptu section, we compared the tablature version with that performed by the three soloists and coupled with our interpretation, which offered more melodic variation, to create a score more in line with Tan Dun’s expression of intention. Keywords: Dadi, Gongdi, Wan Guan Di, Trace of Bamboo, Tan Dun, Yu Xunfa, Chen Tao, Tang Jun Qiao, improvise.
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