Difference Between Chinese Yoyo and Diabolo
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The diabolo originated in Europe. The Chinese yoyo is sometimes referred to as the diabolo in the West because they function similarly; however, these two are not the same thing. The physical differences are:
1. The axle of the Chinese yoyo is longer, while the diabolo’s is narrower. Because of this, the diabolo’s strings are thinner.
2. The Chinese yoyo has wheel-shaped ends instead of bell-shaped ends.
3. The Chinese yoyo typically has grooves along the rim of the wheels and is made of plastic, while the diabolo is not grooved and is made of rubber. Thus, the Chinese yoyo makes sound while the diabolo does not.
Although the tricks that can be performed are pretty much the same for both, a key difference in performance technique does exist. Chinese yoyo players use a vertical speed-up technique in which the strings are wrapped around the axle. Diabolo players use a horizontal speed-up technique in which the strings are crossed using a side-to-side sweeping motion.
Today, a hybrid of the two does exist and is referred to as the “Chinese diabolo”. The hybrid’s material is similar to the diabolo and has a wide axle. Thus, the traditional Chinese yoyo strings are used. The rims of the ends are grooved to produce sound.
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