The alto sheng, a kind of sheng, is the most commonly used traditional sheng with 17 springs. After the liberation, new varieties such as amplifying sheng, plus key sheng, turntable sheng, low-pitched sheng and row sheng were successfully trial-produced, with a variety of reeds.
Because the Beijing-style arrangement of the alto sheng is similar to that of the 36-reed high-pitched square dou sheng, the pitch rises from the inside to the outside, so it is easier to get started. And his range is relatively low, in application, it overlaps less with the high-pitched sheng, and can have the effect of part of the low-pitched sheng. It is quite useful for small and medium-sized orchestras. The only drawback is that it is not easy to see the conductor, and it is not easy to be seen by the audience.
There is basically no special need for improvement in the alto sheng, and it is also necessary to systematize the maintenance of the reed, which can be more conducive to popularization and use. Anyone who has been in an orchestra should know that the alto Sheng is an indispensable and important part.