Description:
This bamboo tube with six holes set into flattened surface is technically a clarinet, because it has a single reed. The reed is an extra piece, 6 cm. long with one hole and flattened surface on that side, that fits into the mouth opening.

How Constructed:
Made from single bamboo tube; reeds made from bamboo strips.

Use:
Blown at the reed end and fingered in the finger holes, the mabur produces a unique sound. An accomplished player uses circular breathing to produce long notes and continuous series of rapid, fluid melodies.

Listen:
Listen to accomplished clarinetist Ajy Daha of Meigu county demonstrate his virtuosity.  

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Description:
Flute with six holes, made out of a single tube of bamboo. About 2cm. outside diameter, 22 cm. long.

How Constructed:
Drilled out with a hand instrument. Takes about an hour to manufacture.

Use:
The musician blows the flute from the end, placing the end between his upper lip and upper front teeth, in the manner of a recorder or clarinet. Tunes are short and simple.

Listen:
Listen to the way a haunting melody can emerge from such a simple instrument, as played by master flutist Daxy Jjyge. 

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Description:
The instrument consists of three elongated metal pieces, the sides folded over and bottom rounded. The case is a small bamboo tube, 6.5cm long, upper end narrowed, lower end showing a rectangular opening 2.5cm x 0.7cm. A string is fed through this tube, looped at upper end, the lower end holds the instrument itself, which can be pulled up with the 10cm long cord, and slide into the opening of the tube. The tube is decorated with three tiers of geometric patterns in red and black showing hatched lines.

How constructed:
Beaten out of copper (probably spent bullet casings), pounded and cut to tune. Bamboo has carved designs.

Use:
Played mostly by women, by holding against lips and twanging the different notes. The musician uses her thumb to pluck the end of the leaf, which produces a sweet, clear, melodious tone. In this three-leaved version, the largest or lowest-pitched is called the mother, the middle one the father, and the highest pitched the child.  The hxuohxuo is often worn in its case around the neck. Often several people will gather around and try and guess what the person with the mouth-harp is saying, when they guess it, the musician plays more.

"Mountain Patterns" by Stevan Harrell, Bamo Qubumo and Ma Erzi. 2000. Fig. 6.2 pg 47.

Listen:
Listen here to  the skill of a hxuohxuo virtuosa Hxieliemo from Meigu County.

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Description:
Wooden lute, octagonal shape, with neck attached separately. Two parallel grooves have been placed around outer edge. Two strings are attached to base of lute at a raised wooden piece carved with two rectangular openings holding strings, and a carved decorative motif at  the outer edge. The hole measures 2.5cm in diameter and is surrounded by twelve small holes punched into the wood.

The neck is straight for 12cm from the octagonal shape, then curves into an upward curve 16cm and ends in a diamond shape placed atop neck. There are two wooden dowels on either side of curved neck and four frets placed across neck. An additional six frets continue onto the lute body.

How Constructed:
Made of Mge wood, probably cherry or a related species with gut strings.

Use:
The  pambie is one of the most beloved instruments of the Nuosu.  A folk poem says

Ten fingers plucking the lute
It's not the lute speaking
But the lutenist's heart.

Listen:
Listen to a folk melody from Ganluo county.

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