The shape of the short flute is similar to that of the Han hole flute, but the body is thin and short, with a total length of 35 to 37 centimeters. Traditional short flutes are mostly made of bamboo, but also made of hollow wood. There is a blowing hole at the upper end, 5 sound-pressing holes (4 in the front and 1 in the rear) on the body of the tube, and a sound-outlet hole at the lower end. Only pentatonic tunes can be played.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the keyed short flute is 34.5 centimeters long and 1.2 centimeters in diameter. Adjustable pitch. There are 10 sound holes on the tube body (9 in the front and 1 in the back), 3 of which are closed holes controlled by the buttons. You can play music on the seven-tone scale, and you can turn two or three keys. When playing, the right hand controls the 3 finger holes and 2 key holes above the tube body, and the left hand controls the back hole (thumb), 3 finger holes and 1 key hole above the tube body. The lower lip is against the blowing hole, and the air blows against the edge of the blowing hole, causing the air column in the tube to vibrate and sound. When playing, the head needs to be shaken left and right, so that the breath blown into the tube changes, and a larger trembling sound is formed, which is unique.

The sound range of the plus key short flute is from (bb1 to f3), and the tone is soft, bright and clear. It can be played solo, and is mostly used for folk instrumental ensembles to accompany songs and dances. It is also often played with a flute that is an octave lower than it.