During the Sui and the Tang dynasties, there were records which proved the widespread use of flutes by the common folk.  After the Song Dynasty, the flute found an even more prominent place when flute and drum music gained popularity.

Literary records have mentioned the prominent role the flute played in the lives of the common folk.  After the Ching Dynasty, the flute found even greater importance in folk music as it was often used as an accompaniment and in operas and musicals.

Although the dizi has a set of diverse techniques and a wide ranging repertoire, it still has drawbacks unlike the Western flute. Switching between keys is inconvenient as a performer might have to change instruments to be able to play certain notes.

The traditional dizi is made from bamboo and has six holes not including a separate hole for the mouthpiece and another hole for dimo (membranes from a bamboo shoot). Dimo must be stuck over the separate hole for the instrument to produce its penetrating sounds. When being played, the sound from the instrument is produced by the vibration of air columns within its bamboo body.

There are many types of dizi, with the bangdi and the qudi being the two most common flutes in the Chinese orchestra today.  In the Chinese orchestra, a series of bangdi and qudi are used for different keys.  An orchestral musician usually has a set of bangdi or qudi of different lengths and sizes to allow him to play the different keys within an orchestral piece.  If the piece switches key, a musician might be required to switch flutes.

Despite its drawbacks as an orchestral instrument, its sound is irreplaceably penetrating and when blown well, can be immensely soul stirring.