Hello shakuhachi people!
I am making an utaguchi cover. There's one thing I don't understand
about the design of all of the utaguchi covers which I've seen so far
(which are all the same), and I'm hoping someone here can help
me to see what I'm missing.
Utaguchi covers follow the shape of the utaguchi--that is, they have a
top which hugs the angle on the top of the flute. This doesn't make
sense to me, because if two things are touching, then they more
efficiently transmit shock waves than if they're not. And if the
utaguchi is the most delicate part of the instrument, then I would
think that one would want to isolate it from damage by isolating it
physically. A hard cover which touches the utaguchi will protect the
instrument from sharp things banging directly against the utaguchi,
but still seems to leave the instrument vulnerable to breakage by
dropping or having something hit it.
Because of the above, it seems to me that the ideal utaguchi cover
would consist of a hard surface insulated on both sides (inside and
outside) with a generous amount of padding. Also, it would be of
generally cylindrical shape to physically isolate the actual utaguchi
from shock by the use of an air gap.
I'd love to hear why I'm wrong, but so far I can't see it.
Best,
-jeremy
--
jeremy bornstein <jeremy@babyexchange.ro>
-*-
It is essential for a man to strive with all his heart, and to
understand that it is difficult even to reach the average if he does
not have the intention of surpassing others in whatever he does.
[Daidoji Yuzan]
-*-
http://babyexchange.ro/
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