Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

pagacks wrote:

I'm a beginner shakuhachi maker since 6 months ago, all info from this forum thanks. I make mostly both root and nonroot end jinashi 2.4 since their voice is very nice. Pitch and tune are already ok. My problem is the difficulty in reaching the kan (I can only produce re kan, chi kan is weak, upwards is nil).
     My questions are:
     1. what is a reasonable target for the highest note/s that a beginner maker can reach for a jinashi 2.4 where only pure bamboo is desired?
     2. What are the making tips to be be able to reach/produce these highest notes where only the bamboo is to be used?
     Thanks.

1. Every jinashi flute is different but you should be able to play the first two octaves and at least some of the dai kan (third octave) notes.

2.a. Take lessons
   b. practice long tones up and down the scale
   c. Take lessons

I think you mean Brian.

In my experience, it's due to a flute that is clean on the inside, with little to no joints left over, and preferably finished on the inside. Jiari flutes tend to get into Kan easier than non-jiari, in my limited experience. Whenever I've finished any of my flutes on the inside with a good coat of whatever, they tend to play better into kan.

If you have a well-made flute and a not so well-made flute, just stare down the bores and compare. That's how I made my first 1.8, and it came out great. I just compare for a long time before I jump in... sometimes.

It almost sounds, from your post, that maybe you might be having more problems with your playing more so than the flute. Hard to say for sure, not being able to try your flute myself, but it sounds likely. I'm at a point (finally) where I can get all the way up in Kan, and some above that, so I can more easily gage how well (or not) I'm making a flute. I just made a 2.6 out of root-end madake, and it gets all the way up. I also have a tonkin bamboo flute that I still love love love, and it will never get as high. I've done everything I can so far, and it just won't get up there. It's pretty clean inside, and I suppose I need to finish it totally inside, which I'll do this summer. Otherwise, though, it's a great sounding flute with a big tone. Anyway, I've made a few flute that I didn't think were good because I couldn't get up into kan very well, and eventually I realized it was me, I couldn't get up there very well, even though I was sure these flutes should be able to do it. Just a thought.

Good luck to you!

-E

pagacks wrote:

Hope I can also get other tips regarding the rest of the flute parts for me to make jinashis that can play up to the highest notes.

Hi Pagacks,

Jinashi shakuhachi often have wider bores than jiari shakuhachi. The wider the bore, the more challenge there is to construct a flute that plays well in the upper second register. So, one thing to do would be to start with thinner bore bamboo since you are more likely to find success in the second register.

Undercutting the holes often helps the second register. Large holes help as well. If the second register notes that are possible now play in tune, chances are you won't need major bore adjustment. If they are out of tune, that might be the cause of the unplayable notes as well.

Lacquering the bore helps but I think you should still be able play the full second register before that step.

It's hard to say what exactly to do in the bore. Every flute is different. It helps to have a testing routine with each flute. That way, you get a better idea of what might work and what might not.

Isn't this fun?

KL

pagacks wrote:

It's certainly fun more so that we get lots of support and encouragement from you guys.
And the ultimate fun comes when we coax and produce self made out of our own hands a jinashi that sings itself out in its unique full range voice.
That is the reason shakuhachi is so special. It is the only instrument (with a myriad repertory of techniques) I know which gives everyone the challenge of not only playing it but also of making one's own. And the joy of playing a shakuhachi you made yourself is incomprehensible.

Hi Pagacks.
It certainly is the most incredible thing when you play your own hand made shakuhachi.

May I suggest that you make some tuning beads in various sizes to check your bore.

Start by identifying the first note that does not work for you in Kan. Make sure that you are comparing the balance from Otsu to Kan on another note that does work well for you. You probably know that as the notes ascend, it gets more difficult to get the Kan. Before you try the bead, you can try to undercut the first hole in question little by little to see what happens in Kan. If nothing happens, drop a small sized bead directly where the hole is and see what that does. After that, pull the bead up every centimeter to find the spot that helps that kan note the best. I usually put a small piece of tape where the noticeable spots are and then revisit those spots after I've explored every cm up the bore. It can be a combination of spots. If the small bead doesn't do anything, try a larger bead. Lastly, if none of the beads produce any desirable results, you may conclude that your aspect ratio must be way off. If a flute is made within ball park aspect ratios, all the notes will work up to two octaves or more.

Enjoy the discoveries,
Perry

Last edited by Yungflutes (2007-05-05 20:45:48)