Xun (top blown egg shaped flute)
Arrives damaged? Free reprint, just film the box being opened. Returns policy
About this print
The xun is a traditional Chinese wind instrument with an egg-shaped body and a top-blown embouchure, played by directing breath across an opening at the top rather than through a whistle mouthpiece as on an ocarina. It is used in Chinese folk and classical music and requires practice to produce a clear tone. PLA is a suitable material, though careful attention to print quality and smooth internal surfaces will affect how the instrument plays.
From the original design page
Original maker's notes
By licheong on Thingiverse · CC-BY-SA
WARNING: This instrument is NOT easy to play. The principle is the same as blowing a flute or a bottle. You need to experiment with different angles and lips shape (embouchure). Those with experience of playing top-blown flute would find it slightly easier. It looks similar to the Japanese *tsuchibue* or South American *ocarina*, but ocarina has a whistle on top that makes it easier to make a sound. You are recommended to print an ocarina instead if you can't make a sound with a glass bottle.
Print quality also affects the result. If there are a lot of threads in the middle, that will block the air flow and stop the sound. I've printed four of them myself and only three of them gives a good sound. It is recommended to try the 6cm version first.
This is an ancient Chinese musical instrument called *xun*. Archeological findings of the instrument dates back to bronze or late stone age. Wikipedia has a description of its history:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xun_(instrument)
This instrument is blown at the top like you blow a flute or shakuhachi. Hold the egg vertically and place your lower lips on the edge of the top hole. Make a small round hole in the middle of your lips and the blowing angle is at around 45 degrees. The pitch can be controlled by opening the fingerholes. The 6cm smaller version has a higher pitch and contains 6 fingerholes. The 8cm version has a slightly lower pitch and contains 8 fingerholes. This might help about how to get the right lips shape to blow it:
https://www.wikihow.com/Blow-Into-a-Flute
Here is a video showing an earlier version of it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vallobApQc
Formatting may have been simplified. These are the independent maker's instructions and fitment claims; Hark Tech has not independently verified them.
Printing Xun (top blown egg shaped flute)
For Xun (top blown egg shaped flute) we would normally reach for PLA — it is the easy, economical default and suits the majority of models. We set the layer height, wall count, infill and supports to suit the model and how you will use it, and those choices are already priced into your instant quote. Want a specific colour or material? Tell us and we will match it where we can.
Model details
| Downloads at source | 20,835 |
|---|---|
| Likes at source | 1,995 |
| Original model | View on Thingiverse |
| Designer | licheong |
| Licence | CC-BY-SA |
More popular Thingiverse models
Got your own design?
You do not have to pick from the catalogue. Upload your own file and the price comes back in seconds, no quote form and no waiting on an email. Found a model on MakerWorld? Download the 3MF there and upload it here.
- STL, STEP and 3MF
- Priced from £4
- Free Tracked 48 over £40
- Printed in-house in Hampshire
Designing it yourself? We print from your CAD export too. Printing from CAD · Business and trade accounts