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February 13, 2007
Retuning Shakuhachi
Hi all,
I re-tune flutes often for many reasons. Sometimes, if the niero, or tone color, is very good but the pitch is questionable. I discuss retuning with the owner. Especially on older or fine antique shakuhachi where tone color was what the old time makers were after. The modern shakuhachi was made to play in a more "Western" approach with an emphasis on proper Western pitch. When is modern flute needs retuning, it usually about how fast the flute can access the proper Western pitch without too much embouchure adjustments.
This is a modern jiari flute made by a a Japanese maker. The Ro is tuned well to D at A=440 but all the holes are about 30 cents flat from Ro. They were also very flat in Kan. I noticed the holes were on the small side at 10mm. They were also not under cut, which helps the Kan notes play better in pitch.
I've seen the maker's hanko before. His flutes are known to be in the entry level.
Stay tuned (ouch) for the results.
Namaste, Perry
Posted by Perry Yung at February 13, 2007 10:07 AM