Traditional calabashes are divided into three types: high pitched, mid pitched and low pitched, with different timbres. The high-pitched sheng is crisp and bright; the middle-pitched sheng is round and soft; the low-pitched sheng is thick and deep. The sound range is narrow, and the practical sound range is one octave.

In recent years, the musicians of the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture Cultural Troupe in Sichuan Province have carried out more effective reforms on the traditional gourd Sheng, and developed a ten-pipe gourd Sheng, the Sheng bucket was changed to wood, the resonance pipe was added to the Sheng pipe, and the sound range a -f2, extended by nearly two octaves, but also increased the volume, its biggest feature is the ability to transpose, suitable for solo, band ensemble or singing and dancing accompaniment.

At present, this kind of cucurbit flute has been used in the Yi nationality band and has achieved remarkable results.