Personal Choices: Surprising Differences

In this video, the “100 year old” historic shakuhachi was made by Hodo (Houdou) (1892-1974)around 1926. He was a well-known and controversial player who studied in 1907 no under Tozan, famous for bringing the Shakuhachi into the 20th century. Flutes In original condition maintain the subtlety and tone quality of their time. Other flutes like the Aoki Reibo have a idiosyncratic sound associated with their playing style. Modern makers like Gyoksui fit the modern conception of the instrument; appropriate for both religious and secular venues. The five flutes sampled in this video are very different in concept, and are all high-quality.

More important than the quality of a flute is how it fits the player. Two players who studied under the same teacher sit down and come up with surprisingly different choices in this video. These flutes are currently for sale on eBay, but selecting one is not so simple.

This video aims to help discover how one’s personal approach to creating tone favors a certain type of flute. Five flutes are looked at in terms of emotional response, comfort and ease of playing.

Struggling with the wrong flute can hold a player back without realizing it, but discovering the perfect fit can open up one’s experience in new ways, even for experienced players.

These flutes are listed at:

Tom Deaver 1.8
Aoiki Reibo 1.8 (sold)
John Neptune 1.8 (sold)
Houdou 1.8 (sold)