The inch flute, a single-reed gas-sounding instrument of the Yi nationality, is named for its short body.

When playing the cun flute, the pipe body is placed vertically, and the flute is held in one hand (left or right hand), and the thumb and index finger encircle the upper 1/3 of the pipe body. The palm is in the shape of a trumpet. Adjusts the tone volume. The mouth contains a reed, and the sound is made by blowing a drum spring. If there is no bamboo joint at the head of the tube, the tip of the tongue can be used to press the mouth of the tube. Pressing the root of the reed with lips or teeth can produce a low tone, pressing the middle of the reed to produce a middle tone, and pressing and blowing the tip of the reed to produce a high tone.

The pitch of the inch flute is not fixed, and the pitch change of each sound area depends on the player to adjust the breath, adjust the pressure point of the reed, and change the vibration frequency of the reed. The plasticity of pronunciation is relatively large. After testing, the vocal range is d1-d3, which can reach two octaves. The articulation is bright, the tone is soft, and the volume is loud.

Through the coordination of tongue, teeth, lips and air, the performer can play music as he pleases, and is especially good at expressing cheerful, bright and enthusiastic emotions, and is suitable for playing lyrical and singing melodies. It can be used for solo or ensemble. It is a self-entertainment musical instrument commonly used by the Yi people, and it is also used to accompany folk festival songs.

Most of the music comes from folk songs and minor tunes. The widely circulated tracks include "Mountain Climbing Tune", "Sheep Sheep Tune", "Wanwan Tune", "Xiao Lang Wants to Harmonize My Sister's Heart" and so on.