TRADITIONAL BAMBOO FLUTES

BAMBOO FLUTES
SHAKUHACHI
TRADITIONAL

Bamboo is one of the most useful plants in the world. This wonderful material provide food and shelter, woven baskets, fishing poles, art objects, musical instruments,and innumerable household utensils.It's natural beauty enhances any home and it provides a special quality in the garden.Walking through a bamboo grove is well known to give rise to feelings of peace and serenity.

A wonderous presence sings through bamboo. In varied cultures throughout the world, the song of bamboo flute music has enriched the spirit of young and old with vibrant native melodies.Each flute is made with the intention of giving a lifetime of enjoyment and musical creativity.Playing the flute can open our awareness of breath control and return us to the glad rhythms of our heart.

SHAKUHACHI

During the 17th century, in Japan, the ancient sound of the shakuhachi was played by Zen monks, samuari, and mendicant priests of the Fuke sect.They used this instrument not only for creating music, but as a tool to deepen their inner awareness through meditation.

Although a deceptively simple instrument,it provides 1/2 and 1/4 tones, curves and embellishments by fully or partially covering the holes and using breath control.This gives the shakuhachi the capacities of a purely classical as well as a folk instrument.

The shakuhachi derives it's name from the Japanese unit of measurement:1 shaku eight sun (approx. 54 cm.)in length.The shakuhachi is a 5 holed vertical flute with 4 holes in the front and one thumb hole in the back.It is hand crafted from dense, thick-walled bamboo (Phyllostachys Bambusoides), found in Taiwan and cut just above the root. The unique mouthpiece, cut diagonally across the top of the bamboo,allows the player flexibility of tone contour, characteristic of traditional Japanese music.

CLASSIFICATION AND PRICE LIST - SHAKUHACHI
The classical Japanese meditation and folk instrument.

I Shaku Roku San 1.6 ft. Pitch E
I Shaku Ha Sun 1.8 ft. D (Standard Model)

MODELS AVAILABLE

Mouthpiece inlaid with ebony in Kinko Ryu tradition, made of thicker-walled bamboo, bound with beeswax linen thread and oiled. $65.00

Mouthpiece of bamboo and made with the same care and craftsmanship. Of average thickness, this model is bound with beeswax linen thread and oiled. $45.00

Longer Flutes on Request (limited bamboo supply) $85.00

The most comprehensive book on shakuhachi published today.Learn it's history and construction. Master the playing techniques through step by step instructions along with a new shakuhachi tape. $35.00 (goes with book)

TRADITIONAL TRANSVERSE FLUTES

The bamboo used for the making of the transverse flute (tootsik) is especially selected and cut in the forests of the Hawiian islands.A special quality of this bamboo is that it's rapid growth results in very long lenghts (culms).It is due to the uniformity of the bore that rich and more expansive tones are produced.These transverse flutes are tuned to accurate concert pitch of the diatonic (7 note) scale; do , re, mi, etc. with a range of two 1/2 octaves, available in various keys. The versatility of this instrument allows the player enjoyment in playing simple melodies, as well as original material and a variety of ethnic compositions.

CLASSIFICATION AND PRICE LIST - TRADITIONAL TRANSVERSE RENAISSANCE AND FOLK INSTRUMENT

Approximately 10-14" in length; piccolo style; high clear bird-like tones. Keys of C, Bb, and A. Hole spacing is close and this works well for children and people with small hands. $32.00

Approximately 16-20" in length (medium size) mellow with great tonal versatility. For the average adult hand reach. Keys of G (the most popular key), F and E. $36.00

Approximately 22-26" in length; deep rich tones, meditative quality, for longer hands.
Keys of Eb, D and low C. $40.00

Approximately 24" in length. Four holed pentatonic transverse flute (see photo). Deep tones meditative quality, similar to shakuhachi tuning, easy to reach holes. Key oF D $42.00

All flutes are painted inside with a non-toxic water base paint to increase tonal quality and to preserve the bamboo.

Available in darkened-burned finish or natural grain bamboo. For darkened-burned finish add $3.50

Please e-mail Michael or call (831)227-8394 for questions regarding order.

All orders must be pre-paid by check or money order payable to Michael Kanner. Include $4.50 for shipping and handling. Please specify date needed. Allow 3 weeks for delivery. Send orders to:
Michael Kanner
3329 Putter Dr.
Soquel, CA 95073

PLAY THE FLUTE OFTEN AND YOUR ROOTS WILL GROW DEEP TO THE SOURCE OF LIFE'S MUSIC.

For another selection of traditional bamboo flutes visit www.shakuhachi.com