The Sheng, the classical Chinese mouth organ, has a long tradition in the Far East. Evidence shows that it has existed in China for 3,000 years. The characteristic feature of the Sheng is its bowl-shaped wind chamber of metal or wood, and its many pipes (seventeen as a rule) which protrude upwardly from the wind chamber. The performer blows into the pipes and creates the sound by covering the finger-holes. Great skill is required in playing the sheng, which is an important instrument in the traditional Chinese orchestra.

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