« November 2006 | Main | January 2007 »
December 31, 2006
Myoan Shakuhachi Reclaims it's Spirit in Barrington RI
I had two old Myoan style shakuhachi in the shop this week.
The top one is a 2.0 pitched in between C and B. Tsu, Re and Chi were about a semi tone sharp. At first. I thought I would sharpen Ro and the other notes but decided that flattening three notes would be better to retain it's natural characteristics.
I liked the polished old root of the 2.0
Those of you who follow my blogs saw the short 1.8 a week ago where the utaguchi was "defiled". My guess is that someone tried to make it into a modern flute but wasn't very successful. I had torell the area with CA glue and bamboo dust and inserted a water buffalo horn utaguchi.
The holes of the 2.0 are now smaller but Otsu plays so much better in tune. There are two issues in Kan - Chi and Hi Go, but these can be played with alternate fingerings.
Hear the 2.0 play an excerpt of KYOREI.
I am very pleased that I was able to help the 1.8 reclaim it's soul. With some sound samples from the owner, I was able to hear the sound of an old Myoan flute and player that he liked . This help me base my choices on how much to tune around the top and how deep to go with the utaguchi. Every natural flute sounds and plays different to some degree. But, with a decent pair of ears and lips, they can be gotten in the ball park
Happy New Year all, Perry
Posted by Perry Yung at 08:09 PM | Comments (0)
December 17, 2006
New Bass Choukan Hocchiku!
Hi All, I'm, really getting into making Hocchiku these days. I just love the smell of bamboo when Iplay. Here is a new 2.4 Hocchiku. It's a wide bore flute with large finger holes.
A more blunt cut utaguchi like in the olden days. I find myself changing the angles in the interior so that it maintains the proper degrees so as to split the airstream better. This also makes it more able to handle modern shakuhachi embouchure techniques. Without doing so, it sounds like the older flutes but with less manueverability.
A tasty root for those who like bamboo shoots!
Namaste, Perry
Posted by Perry Yung at 06:35 PM | Comments (0)
December 15, 2006
Recontructive Surgery on Utaguchi
This old Myoan went through a devestating experience of being "defiled". Someone openned up to top way too much.
I'm guessing that the culprit desired a louder and more responsive flute. When put it up to my lips, I could feel that the flute was missing a core, a soul if you will. It didn't sound like a Myoan shakuhachi.
So here I face a difficult task of reconstructing the top. I start by slowly building up the filed area with my mixture of bamboo dust and CA glue.
It can get quite messy.
After it's driend, I dand it with a sandpaper wrapped around a dowel. Much more control than a dremel.
The front is slowly taken down flush with a fine flat file.
Even though I haven't begun to hone the angles, It has has begun showing signs of life.
Next, i await delivery of the favorite Myoan music of the owner so I can fine tuning with that particulr sound in mind.
I know what you're thinking. Much of the the flute's sound is based on the player's ability. Yes, I love learning different techniques from listening to the masters. It brings me back to the days when I used to slow down lead guitar riffs on my turntable in order to learn them. The shakuhachi is, of course much more difficult than an electric guitar.
But do stay tuned!
Namaste, Perry
Posted by Perry Yung at 10:49 PM | Comments (1)
Utaguchi Repairs
Lots of utaguchi action at Yung Flutes this week.
Here is a simple on. This fine instrument had a ding on the edge. It was tiny and one could argue whether it has any technical affect on the playability.
However, anyone looking down the barrel at this would sure find it difficult to enjoy playing!
First, because it so tiny, I want to be careful so as not to do too much. Every little thing affects how it'll respond.
Masking off the are helps me work locally when applying my mixture of bamboo dust and CA glue.
This helps prevent scratching if my sand papaer slips..
With one new coat of urushi The owner said it plays exactly the same as before.
I've worked quite a few Gyoksui flutes before. He's a fine maker.
Until next time, watch out for the nuts.
Namaste, Perry
Posted by Perry Yung at 10:26 PM | Comments (0)
December 08, 2006
Humid Box for Repairing Cracked Shakuhachi Flutes.
Hi All,
Winter is upon us. The New York City wind that cuts throught the avenues feels like razor on the bare skin. And when we walk into our heated apartments, we immediately strip off our layers or we'll be covered in sweat in minutes. These are the conditions of East Coast living. Those of us who carry our flutes around subject them to sudden shifts of temperature all day long (you know who you are). The best thing to do is to let your flute acclimate before you play it. If you play it outside in the snow, be sure to have it warmed by your body before you bow into it (I once played in the snow in Nagano. We had the flutes in our down jackets next to our warm bodies before we played).
Here is my humid box for what's came in this week for crack repairs.
Notice the bowl of water and damp rags in my Sterilite container. The humidity closes the cracks and then binding is done.
Let's hope your flute does not make a vist to my box this winter.
Stay warm.
Namaste, Perry
Posted by Perry Yung at 08:58 PM | Comments (0)
December 05, 2006
Wabi Sabi Hocchiku shakuhachi!
I love making these natural Hocchiku style shakuhachi. They certainly are not able to handle traditional shakuhachi music like Sankyoku or Minyo but the sounds are so voluptous, so fabulous...who cares! These are obviously made for Zen Dokyoku style playing but even then, it is a stretch, unless you happen to be Watazumi or someone who can handle that type of virtuosic playing. There are two octave but so far I can only ascend in Kan at Chi and Hi but can not hit Chi decending. Something for me to investigate! I love my work.
A nice Wabi Sabi Zen curve.
This is a really fat piece of bamboo so the utaguchi had to be cut more perpendicular to get it closer to the mouth.
The ikigaeshi breath return is left intact for comfort and functionality.
Fat finger holes. Notice the raised grain of Gome Bamboo. Gome translates as sesame pattern for bamboo that was harvested after having cured in the ground.
I am improvising with Honkyoku in mind.
Breath deeply through th eHolidays my friends,
amaste, Perry
Posted by Perry Yung at 11:13 AM | Comments (0)