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Introduction to Bamboo Flutes

The Journey of Your Flute

Major Flutes include:
Kids Major, Small Major, Calypso Flute, Quena, Brazilian Major , Irish Flute

Concert Tuned Flutes include: Keys of: A, Bb, C, D (High - Low), E, F, G

The Easy Flutes include: The Kiowa Love Flute
The Penny Whistle

Exotic Scales include: Minor flutes, Arabian, Egyptian, Meditation, Chinese, Native American, Double flutes

Oriental Flutes include: Japanese - Shakuhachi
Chinese - Jihau Crane Flute

Missionary Flutes

Bamboo Saxes include: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone

Pan Pipes include: Major,
Andean

Kid's Corner

Specials include:
Sax Pak, Clarinet Pak, Exotic Set, Collector's Edition, Master carved Oriental Flute, Kiowa Love Flute with Pottery

Other Products / Accessories include: How to video, CD's, Flutemaking Kit, Flute Cases, Flute Bags, Sax bags, Reeds/ Reed Cases, Bamboo Pen Holders

In the Flutemaker's Village include:
Where's Erik
Letters from Customers
International Photos

Songs for the Bamboo Sax
Songs for the Pennywhistle

Articles include:
My first flute.
New Times Article.
History of the flutes.
The Story of Erik the Flutemaker.
Parable of the Flutemaker.

Chapters from Erik's new book

Policy

Shipping Info:

Jiahu Crane Flute

An end blown, high pitched pentatonic flute. Made of bamboo. Inspired by an archeological find in Henan China from ancient flutes.

September 28, 1999, Tuesday

After 9,000 Years, Oldest Playable Flute Is Heard Again
By HENRY FOUNTAIN
Source: The New York Times
Section: Science Desk
Chinese archeologists unearth what is believed to be oldest known playable musical instrument, seven-holed flute fashioned 9,000 years ago from hollow wing bone of large bird; it is best preserved of six intact flutes found at Jiahu, little-known archeological site in Yellow River valley in Henan Province in central China; flutes have been found at much older Neanderthal sites, but those found at Jiahu are oldest ones that have remained intact; also at Jiahu, more than 40 house foundations have been uncovered, as have 370 cellars and 9 pottery kilns; Jiahu may turn out to be one of most important sites for understanding early underpinnings of Chinese society, when humans left caves of Stone Age and began practicing agriculture and establishing permanent settlements; findings are described in journal Nature, result of unusual collaboration between Chinese researchers and Garman Harbottle, scientist at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island.

Hear it now

This DVD teaches the basic principles of improvising on exotic scales.
The Jiahu Flute in not taught specifically on the how to Dvd. But it is helpful.

Jiahu Crane Flute: The 2nd is the one we are making

Some Tips on Playing

A thin jet of air needs to split across the top of the V mouth piece.
To get your air right don't pucker as in whistling. The pucker will get you dizzy.
You must strecth the lips back into a SOFT grin and spit watermelon seeds over the V while you press upwards and tilt the flute to find the best splitting angle.
So lift, tilt, grin softly and spit watermelon seeds.
Cover the holes first. the lower notes will be easier to get.
Our video covers blowing on the Quena and End Blown Oriental Flute which can help too

What You Are Saying

Yesterday when arriving home, I received the Jiahu Crane Flute! Everything so nice! Beautiful flute, still having a burned wood smell, protective bag and documentation! Very, Very Satisfied! Thanks Erik, thank you for everything, I'll be thinking about my next bamboo acquisition!!

Adolfo Rodriguez Madrid, Spain March 2003

HOLY COW!!!! I want to tell how much I really love my Jiahu Crane Flute!!! It's so amazing. I have been writing tunes on it-- or I should say IT has been writing tunes using me. Every time I play it I can imagine the cranes of China flocking around a river. It's absolutely amazing. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless you Erik!!!!

~Thomas E. Crane, 16 years old.

Hi Erik,

Flutes arrived all in good condition today. The Jiahu is an amazing, enchanting instrument. I have a tune I've been working on for a future CD. I'm now going to have to transpose to Jiahu. Perfect! You do a great service to the musical and historical communities by producing this truly exquisite flute. Erik, once again, thanks for your wonderful work.

Best regards, Greg Cain, Sacramento California Jan. 25th 2005

I am enjoying my Jiahu Crane Flute! The art work on the flute is inspirational! Look forward to using the flute on my new album.

Thomas Richardson, Spokane WA.
7 Sep 2004