Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

Lorka wrote:

I was looking on the Mujitsu website (often a great source of inspiration) and I found this picture of Brian/Tairaku (sorry I am not sure which you prefer to be called here) and I was blown away by the huge honking monster of a shakuhachi I saw in one of the pictures.  I would love to try a flute like that, it must have such a deep tone.  Also, I must admit, I got a giggle looking at it next to the tiny little girl in the picture, the flute is almost as wide as her head.  here is the link

http://mujitsu.com/images/shakuhachiclubsfo.jpg

I was wondering if you could talk about that kind of flute.  Seems like a super wide bore instrument.  What size of Hocchiku is that puppy?  Also, I would like to ask if a flute that wide can handle the second octave, as I have been told that with the super wide bore instruments the second octave is sacrificed for a fuller first octave.  Just curious.  Thanks in advance.  Very cool flute btw.

Lorka

You can make your own flute if you find a piece of similar bamboo. That bamboo cost about $10.

That flute only plays in tune in the first octave. The trick obviously is to create the tone and close the holes. You need big hands and the ability to focus the airstream. That flute cracked and has since fallen apart. I'm glad I got to perform a legitimate honkyoku on it. I haven't heard of anyone else performing on something quite that wide.

Although I did once play with Ronnie Seldin and gang at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on a 3.6 (D) Perry Yung made. I did the octave below the rest of the people.

Marco Leinhardt also performs on a 3.6 (D) by Yamaguchi Shugetsu. I played it and had to crank my neck back just to cover the holes. Ouch!

But in terms of diameter I think this one is the biggest. People get all hung up on the length of flutes but width is more interesting to me than length.

Thanks Brian and Ken.

That is a serious flute you have shown us Ken.  Thanks for the picture.  When you sacrifice the second octave, is the first octave richer somehow, or simply alot deeper than it should be for the length of flute?

I was also wondering what is roughly the widest you can get while still having functional access to the second octave? 

I guess I am asking, is it possible to have your cake and eat it too, with wide bores. 

From the website it seems that the Tiamu functions along those lines, pushing the limits of widebore while still having access to the octaves.  Well, it seems that way based on what I read.  thanks

Last edited by Lorka (2007-06-30 18:06:47)

Lorka,

Here's a link which might be of interest on this subject (aspect ratio and performance)--some numbers, if you wish:


        http://www.navaching.com/shaku/bigbore.html

eB