How to Care for Shakuhachi & other Bamboo Flutes: Bindings, Cracks, and Cleaning
Compared to many other musical instruments, and even silver flutes, shakuhachi and other bamboo flutes are actually easier to care for and repair. On this page, I’ll show you just how simple it can be.
Bindings for Crack Repair and Prevention
When an unbound bamboo flute develops cracks, bindings are applied to close and repair them. However, when applied proactively, bindings greatly help to prevent cracks in the first place.
Care for Unbound Bamboo Flutes: How to Prevent Cracks
If your bamboo flute is not bound, it’s best to avoid extreme temperatures and prolonged exposure to dry conditions below 50% humidity, whenever possible. To significantly reduce the risk of cracks, use humidified storage during dry conditions. Below is one of the simplest methods for this:
As shown in the image above, a damp piece of material is placed between two ‘twists’ at the top of a plastic storage bag and is secured with a rubber band. Be sure to regularly check the damp material for mold and replace it as necessary, or clean it with distilled white vinegar or bleach diluted with water at 1:10. You can use a small sponge, paper towel, or a piece of fabric.
Keeping the Bore Clean
After each playing session, if there’s moisture in the bore, swab it or let it evaporate. When swabbing, always protect the blowing edge with the soft pad of your thumb. Rather than one quick pulling motion, allow the swab to rest a few seconds at each point along the bore to better absorb moisture.
Maintaining good oral hygiene, such as brushing your teeth before playing, often eliminates the need for additional cleaning. However, if necessary, you can clean the bores of my shakuhachi using one of the following cleaners; distilled white vinegar or bleach diluted with water 1:10.
To clean:
- Soak your bore swab cloth in cleaning solution.
- Wring out excess back into the container or jar.
- Slowly run the damp swab through the bore.
- Repeat if needed.
- Allow to air-dry.
Oiling: Do Not Do it!
Under no circumstances should oils be applied to my bamboo flutes — even essential oils. This can make any future alterations or repairs impossible, as well as possibly damage things over time. I don’t recommend oiling bamboo flutes by other craftspersons either for these same reasons.
Care for Bamboo, It Cares for You
As you can see, caring for your bamboo flutes is remarkably simple. There are no moving parts or components to replace, something that’s all too common with most other musical instruments.
By following these simple guidelines, you’ll enjoy the profound simplicity of bamboo flutes for a lifetime.
Thank you for learning about how to care for bamboo flutes. I know you’ll have many great years with your instruments.
(Below, you’ll find a detailed video guide on how to bind shakuhachi and other bamboo flutes.)
How to Topically Bind Shakuhachi & Other Bamboo Flutes
I made this videos for the curious, but also as a service to the community for those that wish or need to try their hand at binding cracks in shakuhachi and other bamboo flutes (with thinner bamboo exercise caution with the clamping pliers).
Materials and tools used:
- Bonded twill nylon or poly thread/cord; ~3 yards per binding, 0.5mm dia. and up to 1mm (Commercial Size 207, Tex 210 and up to Size 554, Tex 600).
- NB: soft waxed round cord (for leather work and book binding) is by far the easiest to work with as it grips instead of slips. However, it can’t be sealed with glue, though the wax provides some protection.
- Razor knife.
- Locking Forceps (teeth wrapped with electrical tape).
- Locking vise pliers/grips (teeth coated in hot glue or heat-shrink rubber tubing).
- Glue or lacquer to finish/seal unwaxed thread only. Flexible adhesives are a must, such as urushi, flex epoxy or flex CA glues like Loctite Power-Flex. NB: most of these threads are “sized” which means they’re coated or bonded with something that will repel urushi and glues. For best results, give bindings a quick wipe down with acetone to remove the very surface layer of this “sizing”.
