Guanzi

A guǎnzǐ on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

• Chinese: 管子 (guǎnzǐ)

The guǎnzǐ is an ancient type of Chinese flute, consisting of a simple cylindrical construction with a double-reed. Though often replaced in ensembles today by the saxophone, it produces a much wider melodic range than the otherwise somewhat similar double-reed suona.

Traditionally, the guǎnzǐ was played in folk music and regional opera forms, as well as at specific occasions such as funerals and weddings.

References

• Gallery labels, Musical Instruments gallery, Metropolitan Museum of Art.