Girl Playing Xiao flute The xiāo is a very ancient Chinese instrument usually thought to have developed from a simple end-blown flute used by the Qiang people of Southwest China. The modern six-hole form of the instrument goes back to the Ming Dynasty. Xiao are today most often pitched in the key of G (with the D above middle C being the lowest note, with all fingers covered), although xiao in otherless common keys are also available, most commonly in the key of F. More traditional xiao have...