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. Once fully and properly bound, cracking that would impact performance becomes a non-issue. Bound bamboo also requires no special, fussy humidified storage.
If the bamboo isn’t bound, it’s best to avoid extreme temperatures and prolonged exposure to dry conditions below 50% humidity. To significantly reduce the risk of cracks, use humidified storage during dry conditions. Pictured 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 or clean it as necessary.
Keeping them clean
All of my bamboo flutes have pure food grade natural oil in the bore which greatly helps to keep them fresh and clean (this means they can’t be lacquered in the bore and must be kept unlacquered, as I intended).
After playing, if there’s moisture in the bore you can swab it or let it evaporate. Always protect the blowing-edge with the soft pad of your thumb. 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 either distilled white vinegar or bleach diluted with water at 1:10 (1 bleach to 10 water).
To clean:
- Soak your bore swab cloth or cleaning stick in solution.
- Wring out excess back into the container or jar.
- Protect the edge with your thumb and swab the bore.
- Repeat if needed.
- Allow to air-dry.
Care for bamboo and it will care for you
As you can see, caring for your bamboo flutes is simple, but especially if they’re properly bound.
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, just in case you need or wish to do it your self, however, it’s quite skill intensive!
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 polyester thread/cord; ~3 yards per binding, 0.5 mm dia. minimum and up to 1 mm is best (Commercial Size 207, Tex210 and up to Size 554, Tex 600).
- Razor knife.
- Locking Forceps (teeth wrapped with electrical tape).
- Locking vise pliers/grips (teeth coated in hot glue.
- Flexible CA glue like Loctite Power-Flex to seal. Glue must be flexible to allow bindings to move along with the bamboo slightly.
