Personal Choices: Short & Sweet

[@tiercincachou7836]

in a good mood, in these difficult times thank you daniel didier from FRANCE

[@nyohaku]

You are welcome. I have been adding real (edited) English subtitles. Make sure you turn them on. Not everybody can understand my Brooklyn New York accent. 😃

[@nyohaku]

Look for me in the French film “Mon Heroine”, coming out soon. I play an angry hijacked New York cab driver. I don’t swear in French, so the lines will be dubbed into this funny scene.

[@8ohmrecords]

I love the frankenflute! I'll take it! you dont even have to pay me I make my own shakuhachi and have always loved the idea of a low extension I always appreciate your videos, thanks for sharing!

[@nyohaku]

Alas, the FrankenFlute was sold. Once upon a time I loved to rescue neglected instruments, but these days I prefer to focus on playing and teaching. Finding orphaned flutes a home is also fun in its own way.

[@heikoweise9679]

Hi Kody! do you still i ineressted in this shakuhachi?

[@nyohaku]

This flute has been sold. It will require some work to bring it back to playing condition however. Great fun if you like the challenge, but alas, it is not in my skill set.

[@owadcn]

Thank you for teaching online. I've been waiting for the moment to pick it up. It seems like your lessons may just be the door opener for me. Can you give a session on how to care for it? For example, after use, should I air it out first before packing it back to a long pouch?

[@nyohaku]

A flute care video is in preparation stages. I hope you go ahead and make a start. That’s why I create these videos, after all. Be inspired. Life is short. Here are some notes that may answer some of your questions. Thank you for the feedback. ------ Plastic and wooden flutes are safe from cracking but take care to protect the sharp blowing edge with a cap. Use a loose fitting cork from a bottle of wine if you don’t have one yet. Beginners and professionals alike often have one because they are nearly carefree and can be taken anywhere, and played any time. Japan has a humid climate. A newly exported bamboo shakuhachi is prone to cracking. It will need time to adjust to your climate. It must always be kept moist and away from big changes in temperature. If you don’t live in a moist environment you will need to pay attention to your flute, keep it happy in a plastic bag or in an airtight box that also includes a damp sponge. Put a moisture rag (on a string with a weight) through the flute before storing. Moisten a dampit. (Violin model) Squeeze. Dry it off. Insert. Add cap. Wrap in the cloth after putting it through the flute. Store vertically in a skinny plastic bag. Blowing end and at top. Use a rubber band around root end. Use a damp sponge cut off not touching the flute if you don’t have a “dampit” yet. Mold growing on the flute is a sign of too much moisture. A wet rag wrapped around the Flute may cause discoloration. Slightly damp is best. A loose joint may be a sign of the flute being too dry. Check the flute time to time for hairline cracks. It is wise to have them bound even if they are not growing. A crack going all the way through to the center bore will need some repair to the inside varnish, costing a more money and maybe changing the sound of the flute. Fresh cut bamboo will eventually crack unless it is aged. Makers of cheap flutes may skip this time consuming step. If you buy an older flute from a well-known maker, it will be more stable. Still, many excellent flutes have been repaired after cracking following generations of constant use and good care. It may seem obvious, but keep a bamboo Shakuhachi away from any source of heating, and out of the direct sun. Never leave it in the car. If caring for a Shakuhachi is too involved, start lessons with plastic or wooden versions. You will know after a while whether you want to take the plunge. Owners of high quality violins, guitars, (etc.) take very good care of them. The best instruments usually have been well cared for for a very long time, often 100 years or more without cracking. When you have played shakuhachi for a while, you will be able to hear in the tone quality why these flutes are so precious and expensive.