Cracks are the most common damage on Shakuhachi and other bamboo flutes mainly due to drying out. Here is a picture of my humid box.You can use any airtight container. If your flute has a crack, the best thing to do is place it in a humid environment - above 60% humidity. I put a few wet rags in the box to create the humidity. The crack will close in a day or two. Be sure to monitor the humidity level (not above 70%) and the duration. Mold may form if the flute is left in for more than 4 days if the humidity levels are too high. After the crack is closed, you can bind over the crack with a strong, heavy beading cord.I like Tuff Cord #6 or #7. 25 lbs mono filament fishing line is easier to obtain. See my topical bindings repairs.

[ Read full story ]

I was sitting on the stoop playing a flute this morning as I was waiting for the street cleaner. This is a morning ritual if we miss the opposite side of the street parking. I usually grab a flute to pass the time as I wait for the cleaner so that I don’t actually have to find a new parking spot. As I played, I noticed an older gentleman approaching from the Jewish Home and Hospital across the street. He stopped directly in front of me and as a response to his huge grin, I kept playing. When I stopped, he said that he heard a sound from a temple and followed it. His name was Frank and his dream is to live in a temple on a mountain top when he retires. I told him not to wait.

[ Read full story ]

I just sent this Hocchiku shakuhachi to England. I call these “Liberty Bell” flutes due to the crack at the root bell. The crack was a result of the root being rocked with too much torque during the harvesting. It was filled with bamboo dust and CA glue after it was cured. Liberty bell shakuhachi symbolize freedom, kinda ironic that it went to England

Hear this flute. I am playing an excerpt from Koku. I chose this section as it highlights some of the organic timbres associated with well made Hocchiku flutes. Koku translates loosely as Empty Sky but the meaning is more complex. Along with Kyorei and Mukaiji, many consider Koku as one of the three ancient Honkyoku pieces.
I am playing it in the way I learned it from Kinya Sogawa. I have a feeling Watazumi used these flutes symbolically for the similar reasons, in search of freedom.

[ Read full story ]

Tamuke For Our Russian Friends

2.4 in-progress.

I woke up this morning to more rain. I have a cold, congestion and a possible sinus infection, but felt the need to play Tamuke for our Russian friends.

[ Read full story ]

I have a pair of flutes in for repair this week from two shakuhachi making brothers, Gyokusan (left) and Gyokusui (right, recently deceased). They are offsprings of the renown Kono Gyoksui, one of the most respected modern shakuhachi makers of our time. The Gyokusan is a Modern style 2.4, two-piece Jiari (fully fabricated bore) flute.The Gokusui is a Natural style 1.8 nobekan (one piece), Jinashi (minimally worked, natural bore). They can not be more different in every aspect - tone, response, playability etc… One is a little shy while the other is gregarious. (I won’t say which is which).  It makes me wonder what their relationship was like

[ Read full story ]

David Wheeler asked if I could do some of my magic on a flute one of his students purchased on an auction. I was more than happy to look at it. Simple estimates can be made by photos but the flute’s playability can only be evaluated when it’s in my hands. This one is a Kinko flute originally started around the 1940s. The very interesting thing that caught my eye was that the joint was reversed, The tenon (male side) is on the top section. This flute played pretty well in pitch but none of the notes could take any air or resonate with any shakuhachi sound. In David’s words, “the voicing is terrible”. He was being generous. Well, The first thing I always do is check the internal dimensions with my bore gauges.

[ Read full story ]

This old Myoan shakuhachi came in for minor cosmetic restoration. It was a fine playing old flute that just needed a little TLC. I originally estimated the work to be about three weeks due to urushi curing time But, it took longer than expected. Old flutes often look wonderful from the patina and aged dings, but when you start working cosmetically on one thing, another may beg for attention. It’s like working on a car. If you fix a dent, soon the bent bumper is gonna need work, then vinyl on top etc….it can go on and on.

[ Read full story ]

A chipped utaguchi like this is not a problem for many players. The flute will work fine. However, for those who are very very aware of every nuance of their playing and instrument, fixing the chip will make a noticeable difference. I can sometimes fill and refurbish an existing inlay but this damage is right on the edge which means there is not enough meat for the filling to grab hold of. This one needs to be replaced.

[ Read full story ]