Hi,

Just recently joined the forum. I've been playing for about 13 years; got my first flute, a Paul Thompson, from Gary Stroutsos in Seattle who ordered it for me, then spent a half day in his home giving me lessons and showing me what a generous person he was. I now own that Thompson, a Ken Light Sonoran, a Ken Light Silver Waterspirit and one of his PF (plastic) flutes. Interestingly, because I hike,backpack, climb, sea kayak, and basically spend a lot of time outdoors, the PF flute is the one that gets played the most.

I also play shakuhachi - I've got instruments from Monty Levenson, Peter Ross & a plastic Shakuhachi Yuu that, again, gets the most playing time because of where I like to spend my leisure time.

I'm glad I discovered this forum - there's a lot of good energy here!

Jack

P.S. I inadvertently posted this in the "Newbies Q&A", when I meant to post it in the "Introduce Yourself" forum!

Welcome Jack,

Lots of good folks to go with that good energy. Glad that you joined us.
Ed

Hey Jack, Glad you decided to "Get Your Feet Wet" and join us! Hope you have Songs flowin from your Flutes for a long time! Many Blessings...Robert

Hi Jack,

Wow, just realized that was the first hijack I've done in a thread that was legal!

Welcome to the forum.

That's a lot of years to be playing for so few flutes acquired. And I thought I was flute-deficient for my three or four years! I have averaged a little over one new flute per year (not counting the PVC ones I've made) while you're closer to one every three years... Some people around here average one a month, I think! (Ms. Flootie is closing fast on the record)

I've had my eye on the Shakuhachi Yuu and would like your opinion of it -- ease of play, sound, etc. Do you have the flute adapter, and if so, does it work well? I've never played Shak before, but briefly heard the Yuu once and thought it was pretty cool. But then the question I battle with is whether to go for that or an Anasazi flute... So many flutes, so little $$$.


Thanks and again, welcome,

Harold

The Yuu is an excellent flute, surprisingly weighty, well tuned, and strong voiced. The adaptor is for use while learning the embouchure, as a departure from concentrating on the embouchure, so that you can concentrate on learning the scale, and making the right sounds. I consider it a good accessory for a new player, but it does not replace learning how to play without it.

It is as good a flute as can be purchased for the price.

Hi Jack! Welcome to the forum! I posted yesterday but the server ate it!

I can't believe you only have 4 NAFs and have been playing for 13 years! Did you get a NAF vaccine?! How do you keep from buying more?! (Harter, I'll get you for squealing on me! )

I would love to do some hiking with my flutes on the Blue Ridge Parkway in VA and NC - but I am allergic (OK, terrified!) of snakes!!!!!! Of course, my flute playing might keep them away!

Anyway, welcome! We are glad you've joined us!

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the replies.

Harter, I agree with Rick's review of the Yuu. I actually find it easier to play than my Monty Levenson student shakuhachi.

Tootiflutie, it's not that I'm not interested in acquiring other flutes, it's just that I have a long history of martial arts study (started when I was 7 years old & I'm now 52) that has instilled in me discipline, control and restraint. I try to apply that to all areas of my life, including things that I love.

WOW! I'm impressed!

Hmm ... sounds like I need some martial arts training. However, I'm thinking it might be a little late to start seeing that I just turned 50 a couple of months ago.

Maybe I should do some research on that .........

Jack, I just saw a recent Monty student flute, that Russ Venable had bought, and it played very well. Way better than my very old hand-me-down one, that I started with.

Rick (or anyone)...Do you know anything about Jem Klein's shakuhachis? He's an apprentice of Monty Levenson and a bit cheaper--meditation flutes only, I think. I also wonder if the enhanced Yuu is really worth 3 to 4 times the price of the standard Yuu. I'd like to get a decent shakuhachi without breaking the bank.

Paul, the enhanced Yuu will be a better player, but not for that cost difference, in my opinion. The Hane Yuu, on the other hand, has the same enhancements, as well as the custom decoration, and is less than the "enhanced" Yuu. Getting one, on the other hand, is a bit tricky, as it is done by a craftsman, on a southern island in Japan. I was quite fortunate to acquire one. I have a very old link, but uncertain how good it will be, in making contact, directly.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=e...:en-US:official


I have not had a chance to try Jem's shakuhachi. I suspect they will be more of a student quality, and not a performer's quality, but that is just a premise. I am considering a 2.4 from him, if I cannot find a maple (or other hardwood), one. Certainly he is affordable. Scott Kennedy of Fire Wind Flutes, offers some nice shakuhachi at affordable prices, as well. I do have one of his, and I bought it because it plays rather nicely.

I have found the maple flutes to be very good players, for a modest cost, with only a loss of some nuances, that bamboo would have. Maple of course, is unlikely to crack.

Since I do not anticipate becoming any more than a novice shak player, I think my investment in shaks, needs to be limited, especially on my budgetary constraints. My teacher has allowed me to play his performance flutes, and they are much easier to play, but they also cost a bunch.