Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

You don't get a natural taper above the root; it's the root area of the culm that supplies the taper. Everything above that
is pretty non-tapered. The node membranes within are not useful in adding any taper to the bore, and they are more or less
cleared away flush with the bore surface.

The timbre and performance of the flute is to some extent affected by how much of a given node ring protrudes into the bore.

Mujitsu knows a lot more about this aspect than I do.

To a point, thicker walls are better than thin walls, and the inner diameter must be taken into acount. You do have more control
over shaping the blowing end with a thicker wall.

The best way to cut off the wedge for the utaguchi is by clamping the culm into a bench vise or otherwise securing it, and cutting
with a hack saw, then smooth it flat with flat files and sanding sticks. If you have a good floor-standing disk sander handy
that's even better--if you've made guitars, you're already checked out on that method (I made 'em for 20 years ).
Unless you know some secret arts, I'd stay away from a chisel for doing this.

Whereas the bore can be bigger, you want the end you blow into to be 2 - 2 1/2 centimeters. This is achieved by leaving some
of the node material in the mouthpiece as you shape it, thereby having the option to use any diameter you wish. This is called
an ikigaeshi (breath return), and is sometimes even built up by glueing in a small crescent section of bamboo opposite the
blowing edge--I think you usually see this only in ji-ari flutes though, where the whole inside of the bore is built up to precise
dimensions.



This image, of a jinashi by Kinya Sogawa, shows an ikigaeshi




Again, on some bigger bore flutes by Kinya Sogawa




Showing the bevel cut and back cut on the chinrest (2.8 by Perry Yung).
This flute also has a 'natural' (as opposed to added) ikigaeshi.
The 'flatter' the bevel (ie, less than 30 degrees), the more of a curve
you will have right at the blowing edge.

Last edited by edosan (2007-10-25 00:06:00)

Edosan, good to see the old 2.8 again! I miss it:)
Best, Perry

robert wrote:

P.S. Now to find someone to teach me how to play....
Closest I found is Seattle

Hi Robert.  I think you said you were in Portland?  Larry Tyrrell lives there (or on the edge of it, maybe).  He's a talented teacher/player/composer.  And nice guy.

-Darren.