I bought a bad Ebay Shakuhachi so you don't have to.

[@sherryb9770]

As a Native American flute player getting into Shakuhachi, I would say that it sounds down right ugly. No core sound, indeed! Thank you for this and all your helpful advice. Trying to learn before I buy!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

:-)

[@KindoBeats]

This is amazing. I have never seen a Shakuhachi quality breakdown video on youtube this is super helpful!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Only for the fans

[@tt40art]

That flute is the noise I imagine plays on the elevator to hell. >_>

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Agreed

[@baronsamedi5741]

Here's a Guy that looks out for his audience

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Gotta protect my spy monk army

[@Maximo-Maximus]

He’s amazing

[@-the-light]

"The cool sound", hahaha. Thanks for posting this. I've experienced this when starting out, though much cheaper, lol. Great heads up for buyers. :)

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Anytime! I am glad you enjoyed the "cool" sound

[@theunboxingnerd3229]

What flute did you use in the suns warm embrace.please make it budget as I am a kid. Thank you very very much

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

That flute was by Yozan Hikichi. A Japanese maker in Tokyo. Link in the description of all videos next to buy a shakuhachi.

[@chrisperyagh]

Nice lamp (or candlestick) you've got there! At least it can be repurposed as either of those or turned into any other kind of household or garden ornament. It's like cheap oboes, cors anglais and soprano and alto saxes with poorly reamed or formed bores which are the wrong bore taper (too large in the top joint, top end or crook) which causes the low notes below low E to roll or bubble like anything. I have a plastic Shakuhachi Yuu which I need to do more playing on, but at least I can hit the low D on that one no problem. I bought it directly from a US based agent after reading the reviews back when they cost around $40.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

That’s not a bad use at all ;-)

[@LapoSapo]

I make jinashi flute and sometimes I sell them. That flute is terrible, but if you don't play jinashi you cannot judge them cause they require a different kind of blow compared to jiari. I played a jiari with bore that was not shiny and believe it or not it play very nice, it does not matter much if is shiny or not it matter if the resonance spot are fine tuned. Off course a shine bore flute shows the amount of work and dedication of the maker, but is not always necessary.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

This flute was definitely jiari, and it was just straight garbage

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Also I own jinashi and have played jinashi flutes.

[@LapoSapo]

@@TairyuShakuhachi I saw many bad jinashi flute, but jiari from Japan generally are OK. I guess this flute is not from a Japanese maker. Good jiari flutes are above 1500 usd and good jinashi above 1800usd...but I agree with your suggestion for buying a flute ask your teacher

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

It’s not, I said that in the beginning of the video. Thanks for watching :-)

[@RyanHarris77]

I played this at full volume and a Mack truck plowed through my living room wall looking for her son.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

But was it worth it?

[@musAKulture]

400 dollars is already more than what i can afford. i expect 40 dollars or something. damn.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

well instruments aren't cheap. Just a good poll of bamboo can cost anywhere from 150 to 300 dollars. Count yourself lucky you didn't get in to Violin

[@BraveEmpress]

OOF. It sounds like a 4th grader with their first recorder lol I'd pay 5 bucks for it to repurpose it for a funky birdfeeder

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Hahahha

[@MrPirreE]

Not even me and my brownish plastic Yamaha recorder in those times sounded that bad. 😱 This maybe is in same legion as my rusty Tin Whistle but on other hand it dident come bad from start and dident cost 400 bucks either.

[@ffederel]

Hi Shawn, Have you ever tried or heard of Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos' flutes?

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Heard of never tried

[@alexcarter8807]

Oh dear I've got a $200 one that's at least one-piece, coming from Amazon Prime so at least if it sux I can return it.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

yes

[@royjrlpns]

I also bought mine on Amazon... it even came with a case...

[@real_omega9511]

Was it worth it? How's the sound?

[@edje_tean5794]

Bought a sacriligious 7 hole xiao thing. Sounds quite different, but great for 200€

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

ooff

[@Warriorphonic]

that flute needs more cowbell :P also, follow up video: smashing ebay shakuhachi with a sledgehammer :)

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Oooo

[@g10118]

Truly sounds terrible! You could fix some of these issues but like you said, it's always going to have problems.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

exactly

[@flowersforever5970]

Can anyone recommend where to get a shakuhachi that is traditionally made? I don’t want a plastic one from amazon

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Yes right here. www.yozan-hikichi.shop/index.html?tsuka_conv=JPY&lang_id=en

[@growingayeard1061]

Really informative - great review. ( I could have sent you my first flute... lol)

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

I am thinking about reviewing a few other flutes as well. So maybe we can make that happen!

[@mxntsh2763]

Hey I know I’m late but I’m thinking of getting into playing the shakuhachi and I’m looking for a Jinashi version, and I was wondering if you know any budget/beginner friendly ones I could look for

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Budget Jinashi doesn’t exist. I have one in my website for 2250 usd

[@mxntsh2763]

@@TairyuShakuhachi dang 🥲, so I’d need to start off on a jinari then?

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

@@mxntsh2763 that’s what I always recommend. There 600 to 700 usd :-)

[@davido1953]

I have a pvc flute. Is it worthless? tks

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Depends on which one. Some have value.

[@Junkyard_Shaman]

Hi. What would you think about a cheaper wooden shakuhachi? Of course I would like to try them for myself to see exactly what's wrong and what works, but I saw a few options in Mercari. Practically I have now three flutes, 1.6 that I first bought when I didn't know any better, a 1.8 that is GOOD and I got it through my teacher, and a plastic YUU I use for live shows because I don't have to worry about it breaking or anything. Now I thought I would like to have 2.1 or 2.2 for those live shows so I don't think it should be too expensive as long as there is no problem with the sound production, and even if that is slightly off, I can bend and work my way around it. But I found 2 flutes, one wooden, one bamboo, both really cheap (under 10 000), so I would figure the wooden ones are of more "standard" quality and more durable, right? Sorry if this is too specific and hard question without knowing the flutes exactly. :D

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

First question, when you say 10,000 I hope you mean yen! Okay, wood ones will be better because the are machine made and will have better accuracy. There are plus and minuses to them. I have played, wood, metal, plastic, and of course bamboo and nothings beats handmade madake bamboo. It is by far the best option, always (as long as the flute is by a reputable maker/seller). In short, for the cheaper side, wood is just fine. I hope this helps!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

I also see here that you are in Nara, the same city as me!

[@Junkyard_Shaman]

@@TairyuShakuhachi oh, yes, yen, sorry! I actually live in Osaka, but study shakuhachi at Nara! And yeah, thanks! Of course, I am not good but I know enough to make note between the tone and everything between these flutes that I have, and the 1.8 bamboo flute is the main one I use when I play anything. But besides this I make experimental music most with self built junk instruments and cheap guitars and saxophones and that, and I figured sometimes it might need some lower droning shakuhachi too, But because I mainly carry my stuff to live shows in varying weathers and other hazardous circumstances, I wouldn't want to put any expensive and "actually good" flute through that. Is there an email or something where I could send the options and you could say what you think? there seemed to be some ups and downs on each of them so I haven't been able to decide..

[@Junkyard_Shaman]

j-kill.bandcamp.com/album/the-floating-moon I think this might give you the general idea of what I am going after, I don't aim to play honkyoku concerts with the flute I am looking for now, but to do more something like this in the future too.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

[e-mail]

[@deyanfont]

So where do you recommend to buy one? What to look for - someone interested 😉

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

I recommend Yozan Hikichi www.yozan-hikichi.shop/index.html?tsuka_conv=JPY&lang_id=en

[@b.gainzzz-h4y]

If I wanted to get a cheaper one where would I order it from

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Online, and I would get a Yuu. If you wanted to get a bamboo one, I would recommend the link in the description BUY A SHAKUHACHI. Those are from Yozan.

[@b.gainzzz-h4y]

@@TairyuShakuhachi ok

[@Lovin_life375]

Question, would amazon flutes be bad too?

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Depends, the Yuu is one I approve of.

[@Sk0lzky]

I bought a budget flute on ebay once and it was horrible. Interestingly enough two other budget flutes from aliexpress were incredible for the price >

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Thanks for sharing!

[@koraymelihyatagan8111]

Isnt any kind flute a hollow cylinder with well calculated holes? How could they make it bad? I made one for myself from arundodonax, mine is also bad quality. It doesnt sound as your shakuhachi. What is the secret?

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

im not a maker but urushi and ji are not easy!

[@StopFear]

Dude, why would you even buy it to give it a try for $400? Just too expensive without trying it in person.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

well truth be told, this was one my student bought which was promptly returned after the video was made.

[@imfunny2979]

This eBay one is worse then the ones I make!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

lol

[@Iceland874]

That’s why I’m leery of buying anything I can’t try first. Oh my goodness. Yikes. How sad. What was the creator of that instrument thinking?

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

I too am very leery. I have no clue what he was thinking.

[@ChrisAdams-fc2mn]

Thanks for this informative video. Have you every tried the oriental flute from Erik the Flutemaker? I'm wondering what you think of his flutes compared to a real shakuhachi?

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

I would love to try one and give my honest take.

[@ChrisAdams-fc2mn]

@@TairyuShakuhachi Brilliant, I hope you make the video one day. I have purchased his oriental flute myself and I like it.. But, I don't really have anything to compare it with as I don't own a real shakuhachi. I'm wondering if it's worth upgrading to an authentic shakuhachi or not.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

@@ChrisAdams-fc2mn In my opinion, always

[@g10118]

I've re-created his transverse-style shakuhachi. It's nice but I think I prefer the utaguchi (end blown). I don't find the transverse style easier to play. That said, I doubt that my version stacks up to his so perhaps the point of comparison is off. The specifications for shakuhachi with utaguchi are widely available, transverse style not so much (I had to used a picture and convert to real-world units to get a basic template set up.)

[@Videoctr]

I have two oriental flutes from Erik, I wanted a backup because I really love the flute. It is easy to play. It is a fun flute to play. I also bought a Bansuri flute, key of E, tuned to 432 hz. I really love this flute too and have been playing it the most for the past 8 months. Made by Subhash Thakur, (flute maker). Purchased at One World Flutes, online. It is the most challenging flute for me to play because of the finger placement. The length is almost 30 inches. It took me at least two months to get used to playing it. But practicing a little everyday helped. Now it is easy for me to play it.

[@emdee8840]

Wow. $400. Unbelievable ripoff.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Good thing we could send it back!

[@richardmg9]

WTF I am an amateur flutemaker just for myself and sometimes give away the nicer ones. I have made some truly shit flutes, but I've never made something that sounds like this thing. I dont even know how you could make a flute to sound that bad. Like flutes that I broke by stepping on that won't hit half thier notes still dont sound like that.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Honestly, I have no idea. I was just ask shocked.

[@jacebeleren1703]

@@TairyuShakuhachi I'm in the same boat as richard, i 've made a few flutes out of local bamboo, but this one in the vid is so bad, it's as if it was DELIBERATELY made to be bad :P I don't get it, at all. I have gotten better flutes out of just copying the hole placement with my eyes and a few simple measuring tools.

[@Whiskey0880]

My own flute that i bought on amazon has the 3rd hole over a node, yet it plays great. So i'm guessing that as long as the whole flute is well balanced this is not really an issue?

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Without seeing and playing I wouldn’t know

[@Whiskey0880]

@@TairyuShakuhachi that my friend, is a good point 😂 👍

[@g10118]

If the nodes are cleaned properly it shouldn't matter too much, the problems arise from the bore diameter changing generally.

[@davidt6539]

What is your opinion of aluminium shakuhachi flutes? I'm considering buying one from Amazon (I'm a beginner having played a little with a very cheap PVC one)

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

They are way over priced in my opinion.

[@stevenedwards4470]

400 dollars? That's a piece of bamboo. You can make that with a drill bit, a tape measure and an exacto knife. I hope you can write that off somehow.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Luckily enough, it was actually a student's flute and he did return it and got a new one.

[@cariocajin]

If you take a few professional lessons on how to play horrible flutes, you would probably play it well enough. Don't give up !

[@ValioMadre7]

I made one from a piece of bamboo my neighbor gave me. Mine sounds much better than any of the ones I've heard on youtube, and didn't cost me any money. Too easy to make your own, don't get ripped off.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

nice!

[@RAMAKAVYA]

Hello Renzoh... i wanna buy an instrument for not more than 200 euros. is better yuu or hoshi arashi? or some other idea? thank you very much :)

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Shakuhachi Yuu

[@RAMAKAVYA]

@@TairyuShakuhachi ok... thank you for answer! i apreciate it.. regards..

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

@@RAMAKAVYA :-) you're welcome

[@jacebeleren1703]

Check out the video from Markus Guhe, shakuhachi, the first instrument. He showcases both the yuu and Hoshi Arashi. Ultimately, they re not too different, i'd say get the one that you can find for cheaper.

[@RAMAKAVYA]

@@jacebeleren1703 Yeah. I know Markus's videos. Thank you. At the end, i have chosen yuu. Is not so easy to buy yuu or harashi in europe.. and yuu is a little more easy!!! anyway i have to wait almost a month! but.. no problem. Thank you for answer... regards :)

[@MrPirreE]

That was awful! You sounds like me with a decent flute so this can potential hurt your image real bad. 😄

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Hahahahaha

[@LarryShone]

Could be worse, could have been from Wish...

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

hahaha!

[@jimpassa1]

Thanks but by not telling us the maker or seller it really didn't help. Why didn't you return it?

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

I wanted to give the seller the benefit of the doubt that this may have be a blunder. 1. the point of this video was to show that you can't just trust what you see. It best to work with a teacher to get your first flute. 2. This is actually not my personal flute, but my student did end up returning it and getting a new one. Thanks for commenting and your input. It is really appreciated.

[@jimpassa1]

@@TairyuShakuhachi Thank you.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

@@jimpassa1 :-) Anytime.