Flute Lengths?

I recently traded in all my flutes plus a buncha cash to get the best 1.8 I could afford, and I'm REALLY happy I did. (Thanks, Ken!) I had a 2.3 that I loved, but had trouble covering the holes, so I think the biggest I could handle comfortably would be a 2.0, and I would have a 1.5 to balance out the collection.

That's an interesting poll you created, Chuck.
What made you choose some length and omit some others?
Some of my favourite length are 2.2, 2.3, 2.8 and 2.9

Every player who interacts with other shakuhachi players and/or koto and shamisen players or even piano/guitar players needs a 1.8.

Then if you want to play honkyoku you need a "long" flute. By "long" that differs from person to person based on their abilities. But a lot of people underestimate how long they can go because they don't attempt to develop it. For me my second choice would be 2.6 or 2.7 (G pitch).

Then for the third flute you either need something shorter than 1.8 if so inclined which would be 1.6 for most people. Or something between 1.8 and the 'long" flute, which depends upon what your "long" flute is. In my case that would be 2.0 or 2.4.

When I travel and have to go with only 2 flutes it's usually 1.8 and 2.4. That's because I have flutes in that length which come apart. I would rather take a 2.7 but I only have nobe.

From the point of view of what I use the most, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.4.5. They aren't necessarily what I like the most though.

I was not sure how many different poll choices I could use so I just kept it down to that list. I was sure some would write more in their replies. I have a wonderful 1.5, a 1.8 and a 2.6 I love the best.

Kiku and Jeff you write that you like some of the non-'standard' sizes suits you best (well there is no real 'standard' beside maybe the most used 1.8). Kiku wrote she likes the 2.3 or 2.2 or 2.9 and 2.8, is this because of the flute itself: do you have nice flutes in that length or is it something about specific lengths and the nature of the bamboo? Maybe a 2.3 would be more befitting the natural nodes or length of bamboo?
I can also think of it that there is a certain pitch associated with the specific length that fits you as a person? I have a 1.6 and a 1.8 and the flutes are quite different in character due to the pitch. Much more then I would expect on the 0.2 difference in length. Maybe a 2.3 and a 2.4 differs that much as well?

Bas

Hi Bas, I pretty much play instruments according to need, though I think I gravitate to longer lengths. I tend to play a lot with other people, so the standard lengths of 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.4 tend to be the main stay. That being said, I played with the group Pro Musica Nipponia a couple of years ago and needed an instrument in B which certainly wouldn't be considered standard. In short, my three would be decided by need, however in an ideal world I would say that it doesn't matter. I would grow with whatever I had and probably tweak them to suit me, which I do anyway.
ps. good luck with the Gyokusui. I'm happy to see/hear it in it's new life.

Hi Bas

I don't think I said non-standard... as what you wrote that what is shakuhachi standard apart from 1.8? 1.6 for some ensemble pieces? And 2.0 for Nezasa-ha for example? And for modern music 2.4 in A has become somewhat a standard too.

For me it is indeed as you suspect intimately related to the instrument I have in these length. The 2.9 I just knew was going to be my best friend and companion the rest of my life at first sight in the bamboo grove before I cut it down. I like that length where the rich timbre of the long shakuhachi suits the low pieces. But now I also like to play longer ones....
The 2.3 is for me a great length for somewhat mid-of-the-way pieces such as Tamuke and others. 2.1 is great for sugomori pieces.... but really it depends on what you have.

Most of us are good at one length or another, which is a good reason to practice the ones you are not good at!

I have a 2,3 and and 2,7. I am pretty glad with them. I am not sure if I need another size - I just would like to play thicker versions. For me any size > 2.2 sounds well.

Christian, you do not have a 1.8? What do you take lessons with?

Until i had the longer one, the 2.3.
But now I am taking lessions with 2.7.

And no, I have no 1.8. I started with 2.3

That is cool Christian, I wish more people would teach on different lengths. I believe Tani Ha have 2.6 as a standard. 1.8 is not the right length for many kinds of music. Also when that standard came about people were much smaller. For me a 1.8 is like a 1.3 is for a tiny Japanese person.

Nothing against 1.8, I have some I love.

I chose 1.7, 1.9 and 2.5. My 1.7 blows Eflat @ a=424hz, so i guess it's a 1.75... It's very comfortable for me to harmonize with the ro for voice toning and chant. It's interesting reading about the history of tuning and pitch in Europe. Mozart 430hz and Verdi 432hz etc. I seem to remember hearing that Edo 1.8s were tuned a little lower than 440hz?