All things shakuhachi

My shakuhachi workshop floats between New York CIty and Rhode Island. Always contact me at yungflutes at the usual gmail dot com email on where to send your instrument. Please use USPS -the United States Postal Service Priority Mail with minimal insurance. (Other shippers provide inferior service in New York City). Wrap your bamboo instrument in a plastic bag with a small, damp tissue for humidity (not touching the flute). Please help the environment by packing in the smallest box possible with wadded paper for padding. No styrofoam peanuts please.

Type of shakuhachi:

The traditional Japanese Shakuhachi is made with the root of the bamboo intact at the bottom. The bore of the traditional Madake bamboo has a taper in the profile as it nears the root and the best flutes exhibit a classic shakuhachi tone. However, many old flutes reveal that the upper part of the bamboo stalk with a cylindrical bore profile can make a fine playing instrument when well-crafted. Because of my performing and repair work takes precedence, I only make flutes on custom order. But in order to provide good instruments (easy to play and in tune) at an affordable cost, I started my Tensei Line of restored Japanese made instruments.

TENSEI Line – Rebirth through music. Affordable, restored Japanese made flutes. I learned all aspects of shakuhachi repair as part of my shakuhachi making studies in Japan. As a result, I fell in love with mending flutes. It is my absolute honor and privilege to offer flutes a second life. These range from antique, solo monks’ flutes to professional level concert instruments. They normally range from $475 – $1800. But, from time to time, I also have special flutes that are priced higher.

Jinashi – natural bore (orignal). Softer warmer tone.

JIARI – hand fabricated bore. Shaped to specific dimensions with Ji plaster. The best flutes retain the dynamic warmth of the Jinashi, but react faster and more easily in tune.

EARTH Model – my all natural jinashi flutes made from the upper stalk. I recommend the longer bass length 2.3 (Ab , 29″ in length) – 2.8 (F#, 32″ in length) Adults with smaller hands can handle the finger spread of the 2.3. Priced – $275 – $475 (includes utaguchi blowing edge inlay and Shuai lacquer to seal the bore, recommended for players who play their instrument A LOT.

Wooden and Laminate Shakuhachi: I fine tune ones made for students in Japan. When done well, they can be used by professional musicians. These are the best instruments made from organic material and I recommend the 1.8 standard length for newcomers.

TEACHING – sorry, I do not teach online anymore folks. But these days many fine women teachers and good musicians do. I suggest that you contact and vet someone you feel maybe a good fit (whatever that means to you). We all have different ideas on what music is and can be. If you are a serious musician and interested in learning a traditional style of Japanese shakuhachi music deeply, send me an email.