Hello everyone. I have played the concert flute for many years and was
introduced to Shakuhachi about 4 years ago with a simple bamboo instrument
given to me as a gift. After that one cracked due to the low humidity of
Davis, I inquired about other sources of Shakuhachi, learned of Monty
Levenson's work, and ended up buying a flute from him. I have yet to play
in the traditional styles, and so far have mainly enjoyed blowing while out
in nature. The tone seems particularly well suited to such meditative
improvisation. I have long looked for the perfect backpacking instrument,
and since Monty's flute seems too precious to take along on rugged travels,
I started experimenting with plastic PVC pipe as a material for a primitive
shakuhachi. So far I've probably made 30 or so instruments for different
musical wilderness loving friends. They actually have a really nice sound,
and I find making music with a product of modern industrial civilization
pleasantly ironic. I would like to eventually also learn traditional songs
and styles of blowing... and was hoping that joining this list would provide
some inspiration in that direction.
Eric Knapp
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Eric E. Knapp
Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Agronomy and Range Science/ Center for Population Biology
University of California Davis
Davis, CA 95616-8515
(916) 752-1701 Work / (916) 753-2637 Home / eeknapp@ucdavis.edu
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