The Bi is a national musical instrument that is popular in Yunnan Province, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Lincang, Simao and Hainan Province. When playing the Bi, it can be played horizontally or vertically, and the methods vary from place to place.

The reeds in Xishuangbanna area are thick and long, and they mainly use the horizontal blowing method, with the reed part placed between the two lips to play. The reeds in the Dehong and Simao areas are thin and short, and the vertical blowing method is mainly used to hold the reed in the mouth. The thumb of the right hand presses the back hole, the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger press the three holes on the front, and the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger of the left hand press the three holes on the front. The breath excites the reed and couples several air columns in the tube with different lengths to vibrate and produce sound. The Bi is a tuning instrument, which generally has different keys such as bB, C, bD, E and G, and the range is a sixth or an octave. The sound is round, soft and full of rich local flavor. It is often used for solo self-entertainment. It is not limited to any occasion and is relatively free. Generally, it is mostly at night when people are quiet, and there are no strict taboos.

In Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, there is also a popular form of playing paired Bi. Two sticks that match in size, have a certain pitch relationship, and can be played repeatedly are called Bigu. Among them, the thick and long one is called Bimi, and Menghai County is called Bilang. It is larger than the general Bi, with a tube length of 59 cm. The body has five sound holes and one air hole. Its sound is listed as c1, d1, e2, #f1, a1, b1. The other small and short one is called Bilu, Menghai County is called BiNEi, it is smaller than the general Bi, the tube length is 26 cm to 28 cm, the body has six sound holes, and the tail is in the front and the side. Open a stomata, and the sounds are as follows: a1, #a1, b1, #c1, e2, #f2, a2. They can be played both in ensemble and solo. When the two pieces are played in duet, the rice is often used to imitate the singing of Zanha, and the deer accompanies the tune, forming a distinctive polyphony. The ensemble pieces include "Lie Shao Tiao" ("Lie Shao" means a string of girls) and so on.

In Mengma Township, Menglian Dai, Lahu and Wa Autonomous County, Simao area, the popular Bi is called Bilindang. The tube is 30 cm long and has a unique structure. A small bamboo mouthpiece is worn on the reed on the tube (also known as the small bamboo hat), which forms a small air chamber at the mouthpiece, which is extremely convenient and labor-saving when playing. In addition, in Dehong Prefecture, there is a reed with the same size and the reed made of veneer.