Hi Nelson,
You can find twelve graphs of shakuhachi bore profiles ranging in
length from 1.3' to 2.4' at the following URL:
http://www.shaku8.com/makeshaku8/data/naikei.html The site is in
Japanese, but the information is self-explanatory. A link to this URL
as well as other informative flute making sites can be found on my
links page at http://www.shakuhachi.com/L-FluteMaking.html
I came across a printed version of these graphs several years ago
(pre-Internet) and have been told that they represent a composite of
many shakuhachi whose parameters have been averaged for each length
of flute. At that time, I used them along with a database of
numerous bore profiles I personally measured when developing a
process for mathematically scaling shakuhachi of different sizes.
Needing to find a constant that defined the ratio of cross-sectional
bore diameter to pitch (c.p.s), I used this data to analyze three
critical points along the length of the resonating air column. In
this process I made a 2.3' (Key of B-flat) based on a very
well-playing 1.8' (Key of D). The result was quite remarkable. The
2.3' not only played in tune with excellent resonance, but exhibited
many of the timbral characteristics of the instrument from which it
was scaled. All of which is to say that these graphs may have some
practical value and be worth fussing with.
One important aspect missing from the charts, however, is the
inclusion of data on finger hole size and placement. In measuring the
bore of a shakuhachi, those five little holes (frequently tapered
radically toward the inside) represent Grand Canyons of acoustical
space and need to be factored into the equation. No simple task as
the shakuhachi maker -- unlike his or her colleagues who make
recorders, Baroque flutes and any number of other precision bore
woodwinds -- does not get to make the "outside" of the instrument.
Only God or Gaia makes the bamboo, hence hole depth, shape and
placement becomes the proverbial "monkey wrench" thrown into the data
of bore profiles measured at plus-or-minus .01mm. There is no
mass-producing a shakuhachi or, at least, a well-playing one.
Another thing to consider is that while these graphs represent
average cross-sectional diameters, almost all traditionally-made
shakuhachi have bores that are elliptical in shape. The major axis is
horizontal, the minor axis vertical and the overall ellipse (being
hand-made) sort of wobbles through the length of the flute. (It takes
me about 4 to 5 hours to measure one of these buggers). Whatsmore,
the oval cross section becomes more, but not completely, circular as
it approaches the center of the flute. The charts drawn on this web
site, taken at face value, represent bores that are, literally,
circular and concentric in shape. There is no information given on
the dimensions of the ellipse or how it moves and changes. My own
research has concluded that this aspect of the shakuhachi bore is
by-and-large irrelevant and far overshadowed by the crucial dimension
of bore profile measured along the length of the instrument. You can
make an fine playing shakuhachi no matter the shape of its cross
sectional diameter.
All the best for '01.
Monty
>In most everything I've read on the shakuhachi the shape of the bore is
>spoken of in reverent, hushed tones--but never have I seen a graph of a bore
>profile. What do these things look like? Am I reading in the wrong places?
>
>
>Are there bore profiles available on the web? Anyone fax me one? Some??
>A list of coordinates? Anything. Surely there are some visual people
>connected with the shakuhachi.
>
>Any help will be appreciated,
>N. Zink
>fax 505-751-7123
--Monty H. Levenson Tai Hei Shakuhachi Flutes P.O. Box 294 Willits, CA 95490 Tel.:707-459-3402 FAX: 707-459-3434 e-mail: monty@shakuhachi.com Web Site: http://www.shakuhachi.com
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