Shakuhachi buyers guide
Purchasing shakuhachi can be a pretty daunting and confusing experience, especially if it’s your first instrument, period. I hope I can help you purchase wisely and avoid common mistakes.
As a craftsperson, I do not recommend my own work or that of any specific maker in this guide. This advice is offered impartially to empower you!
Quick recs for your first shakuhachi
- The Best Starter Flute: For most people, the standard 1.8 D is the best choice. Most lessons and learning materials are based on this size. You can find approved ones for around 200 to 800 dollars.
- Where to Ask: Public shakuhachi groups on social media can be valuable resources for learning about trusted and affordable options.
- A Word of Caution: Even if you have a large budget, it’s wise to begin with a humble instrument.
Why 1.8 D?
Firstly, the 1.8 in the key of D is the standard shakuhachi so most instructional materials and teachers focus on it. Secondly, if you have smaller hands or physical limitations, the 1.8 is often the largest shakuhachi you can comfortably play. For these reasons, a 1.8 D is the most practical and reliable first shakuhachi purchase in most cases.
You might assume a shorter flute is better for small hands, however, shorter shakuhachi are actually more difficult to play because they require more embouchure control to reach notes in the upper register Kan. In reality, with proper form and a little practice, very few adults have trouble playing a standard 1.8 shakuhachi.
Are shakuhachi too expensive?
A beginner-level concert silver flute costs around $500. In contrast, you can acquire a professional-level resin or wooden shakuhachi for about the same price. Even high quality bamboo shakuhachi rarely exceed 3k to 5k dollars. Meanwhile, a high end headjoint for a silver flute can easily cost over 5k. While these headjoints use precious metals, consider the immense effort required to source, cure, and craft quality Madaké bamboo into a shakuhachi. Given the skill involved, quality bamboo shakuhachi are clearly underpriced. Why’s that? Because, unlike concert flutists, very few people earn an income from playing shakuhachi. This lower professional demand keeps shakuhachi prices far below their true worth.
All that glitters is not bamboo
Some instruments are adorned with bougie features like ivory inlays and gold trim. While you may be told otherwise, the flash does not improve the sound of a shakuhachi. You will, however, pay a significant premium for them! For a beginner, it’s always better to invest in acoustic quality rather than aesthetics.
Check that return policy!
Before purchasing shakuhachi, be sure to confirm if the seller has a public return policy or an auditioning period. Be aware that auction sites rarely provide an option for returns. A reputable seller should accept returns without issue. If a seller suggests you just need to “get used to” a problem, ask them to state in writing that they will extend the return period while you try their advice.
Ultimately, just because others love a certain flute or maker, it’s no guarantee that you will. It takes time to develop your own tastes. This further underscores the wisdom of starting with an affordable, reliable shakuhachi.
All bamboo cracks, period!
Bamboo shakuhachi can and do crack. This risk is especially high when the bamboo isn’t bound. Furthermore, inexperienced sellers often don’t package their instruments in airtight bags to protect them from changes in humidity during transits.
A crack can be devastating and expensive to fix, but especially on shakuhachi with plastered bores (jiari or jinuri). For example, the repair bill for a cracked 500 dollar flute from an auction could easily cost more than the instrument itself. Furthermore, a cracked and repaired shakuhachi is much more difficult to resell. We must accept that all bamboo can eventually crack because it’s the nature of the material. The only real solution, and one that almost always prevents devastating cracks, is to bind the bamboo.
Avoid antiques
Antique shakuhachi are generally a poor choice for a first instrument. The good ones are expensive and often still have major quirks that make them unsuitable for beginners.
Putting it all together
To begin, acquire one of the aforementioned humbly priced, peer approved shakuhachi. Next, you can add any other shakuhachi lengths you desire, again, opting for relatively inexpensive but reliable options. Over time, the path through the bamboo grove to the shakuhachi of your dreams will become clear. In the end, you’ll have earned it more with your dedication than with your bank account. I hope my shakuhachi buyers guide empowers you. Josen
