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Hello, my name is Chris, I am a complete novice, but just made my first Shaku today from the design here http://www.fides.dti.ne.jp/~sogawa/englishpagepvc.html
I was luckily able to get a nice clear D note from it ( according to the Syaku8 program) within a few minutes, but it does manage to hide from me more often than not. I am kind of shooting in the dark here as I've never seen an actual Shaku in person, and I don't know if my homemade version is up to par with a "real" professionally made model. Since I am in the US I had to convert all the metric sizes to our system of measure, and fudge the numbers a bit into fractions. I opted for making the holes smaller (3/8) than the 10-11 mm indicated. I guess once I get a clear D that I can count on, I can then work my way tuning the rest of the holes up the body of the flute.
This will be a fun journey learning to play this instrument.
My opening question, is there an inexpensive beginners shaku (pvc) available for @ $50 or less, that would be tested and ready to go. (playability is the key, not aesthetics).
Thanks, aloha, and healthy lungs to all.
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Welcome Chris!
It's a bit more money (twice as much, if fact), and it may be premature (I'd encourage you to make a few more PVC flutes), but you might consider the Shakuhachi Yuu, which is cast from ABS plastic from a mold made from an actual bamboo shakuhachi ($110.00).
http://www.shakuhachiyuu.com/shakyuu.htm
Another option would be a PVC flute laminated with bamboo from Monty Levenson ($125.00).
http://www.shakuhachi.com/ (Select 'Shakuhachi in Stock' from the menu on the left, then scroll down to 'Beginner Shakuhachi' to get to these flutes.)
Even though these cost more than you want to spend, the advantage here is that they will both be in tune and pitched correctly. The Yuu page has some sound samples.
eB
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Thank you for the response Edosan. I believe I'll take your advice and keep making some more flutes and perhaps buy some instruction books/cds. If I can stay diligent and make something that resembles a decent tone I'll reward myself with a Yuu in 6 months or so.
This is a very challenging instrument, deceptively simple to look at and difficult to play.
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