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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:

Oriental Flute

Japanese Shakuhachi Tuning -- 21 inches

This is a most unusual flute, in deep mellow harmonic tones.

History:

About twelve years ago, ancient flutes said to be 9,000 years old were found in Henan China made from the wing bones of cranes. I discovered that one had five holes. I took the dimensions of this one and found it was almost the perfect tuning of the Japanese Shakuhachi but much higher in pitch. I wonder therefore if this is where the shaquhachi began and later crossed over. See our Jiahu Crane Flute.
Others say it first came from Egypt to India and then to China called the Sebi. Then around A.D. 900 evolved to the shakuhachi.

In Japan this flute was played by former Samurai who could no longer carry their swords by government decree. So they made the flute out of the root stock and now could use it for protection too.
Comes in side flute and end blown.

Side blown: Press and roll the flute against a soft grin. You can roll the fute to bend the note as found in the enchanting 'bending' of shakuhachi music.

End blown: Lift the flute against a lower relaxed grin and tilt the flute so the air will split across the notch as you ''spit out watermelon seeds'. Once you get the sound you don't have to tilt unless you want to get the bending oriental inflection. Always keep a bit of lifting pressure upwards for good contact.

See Collectors Edition

Hear it now

What you are saying:

Dear Erik,
I received my side-blown Shakuhachi last August. I absolutely love it! It is so soothing to come home from a hard day at work and sit down on the floor and just play. The notes come so freely and naturally. I usually try to take it wherever I go. Thank you so much for creating these wonderful flutes! Peace, Leah in Ohio Feb. 2008

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Hi Erik, The side blown Shakuhachi you made for me is very nice. The 'Dark and Carved' finish is truly excellent. I certainly found the right flute maker. Cheers, Richard Wixner, Wisconsin January 2008

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Hi Eirk, I would just love to say thank you very much, i received the flute just as my holidays started. receiving this flute has made me so happy after being in such a long search for one within Australia. A few of my mates are thinking of getting one too, I definitely recommend you. For others looking at your site, they sound the same as the audio clips that erik play's in. Once again thanks! Jus Lee, Canberra, Australia, April 26, 2007

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Erik, your timing couldn't have been better.  The Oriental flute arrived today, my birthday; I could not have asked for a better gift.  It sounds absolutely wonderful!  It is truly a work of art in sight and sound. 
Sincere Gratitude,
Alan Hobbs, Mississippi, Feb. 2007

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Erik,
I have had my (Concert D Oriental) flute for about a week now.
Everyone, I have showed it to, has been completely impressed!
But that is not why I bought one of your works of art.
I bought the flute for personal enjoyment.
That enjoyment expectation has been completely exceeded!
The first day, I was able to play after about 30 minutes to an hour of
practice.
While I am not concert ready, like the flute is, it has brought nothing but
smiles to my
face, not to mention the faces of my family!
I look forward to my next purchase and will be indebted to your wonderful
skills
for as long as I own this wonderful instrument.
Thanks for the spirit of love, Music!

Christopher Yoder
Oklahoma City, OK
Nov 2, 2006

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Hi Erik
I got the Oriental Flute! Thank you! It's fantastic! Great sound and energy! It was a Christmas present but I could not wait, for it . Thank you very much
Scott Davidson, Brisbane, Australia

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Hey Erik:
I would just like to let you know that your masterpiece has arrived!
I began to play it and within about a half an hour I got it. AMAZING! Utterly amazing! None can match the skills of Erik the Flutemaker.
When you first receive your flute and open the box you are greeted by the scent of bamboo kissed by hot irons...
 Then you start to put it to your mouth and grin and blow...and the sound is that of a novice.
You look back at Erik's video and contimplate how he does it. This time listening to him and not just the instrument. Then you get the hang of it...  Erik's magic comes to life. When you understand your flute it comes alive. So thank you Erik and God Bless you!
Vic in NY

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Hi,
Just wanted to let you know that the flute arrived today.  The carvings are spectacular!  You've done such a wonderful job, I never imagined it would turn out so well.  It totally exceeds my expectations, and my wife just loves it.  Thanks for doing such a great job with it.
Mike in Las Vegas Nevada, Nov 29, 2006

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Dear Erik:

I just received my shakuhachi. It sounds unreal, like its not made on earth by the hands of man. I live in a post war, isolated and poor country. For me this flute is a symbol of hope that soon all hearts in the world will be as one-joined in the love for God. Thank you and God bless you.
Miroslav Trninic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe. October 7th 2005

Hey Eric,

A few months ago I bought a Shakuhachi from you. It is a great sounding instrument. I never thought it would sound so beautifully. I recorded this simple asian melody my first week playing. (see attachment) Keep up the good work.
Kyosuke Hayagawa El Paso, Texas, Oct. 18th 2005

Erik:

Last year I purchased your shakuhachi end blown flute. I have to say that it is a very versatile instrument. I did not realize the amount of tonal qualities could come from just one flute, I play it almost daily. Thank you again for these remarkable instruments, I plan on looking you up next time I'm in Florida.
Thomas Hordin, NY Dec 22, 2005

Hi EriK:

I love my Bamboo Flute!!!
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy the Japanese Shakuhachi Oriental Flute that I purchased from you. It has a such a BEAUTIFUL sound!!! I can't believe how GREAT it sounds!!!
I have NEVER played a flute before but I was able to play it the first day after blowing on it for awhile. I have a lot of fun with it!!
Before finding your website on the Internet, I had read some bamboo instrument horror stories on the one of the Internet newsgroups and was really worried
about getting a piece of junk for an instrument. I had searched and found several other bamboo flute sites. I played their sound MP3's (the ones that had them) but I did not care for the way they sounded.
They sounded horrible!! On some of the other sites I didn't care for the way their bamboo instruments looked. They looked more like junk than musical instruments. I guess that I was just too picky.
Several other flute sites carried some flutes that sounded okay but I thought they were way over priced for their tone quality. I had trouble finding a Japanese Shakuhachi flute that I could afford or that I really wanted to buy.
When I found your webpage I played your sound MP3's and I was floored!!! Your bamboo instruments sounded so GOOD!!! I wanted to let you know that after I heard the sound of several of your bamboo instruments I decided to order my Shakuhachi from you.
It seems like so many of the things that we buy now a days are poorly made. When I received my flute I was amazed with the QUALITY of it!!! It's a real instrument not a toy!
I am really picky but my flute looks great and feels just right in my hands. It's just something that you can't explain with words. My wife and I love the smell of the holes that you burnt into the bamboo !

Please feel free to use this email on your webpage if you want to. I am planning to purchase several other bamboo flutes from you later. I just HAD to tell you
how I feel. I love my Bamboo Flute!!! Thanks Erik.
Gerard Remillard Oct. 2002 Oxford, Mi