Hi there,
It would be interesting for me, if for no one else, to have some feedback
about the hopefully equal interval ratios all shakuhachi players must wish
their instruments produce. So here is a test if anyone can do and wants to
do it.
Without making the usual "meri" adjustment in blowing technique to get the
upper
octave to play an actual octave higher than the lower octave, try to measure
the frequency of the each whole tone for both the lower and upper octaves.
The interval ratio may be
calculated by dividing the measured frequency of the upper octave by 2, then
dividing
the obtained quotient by the measured frequency of the lower octave.
The measuring may be performed more than once to confirm that the
measurements are accurate. Don't be surprised if the measurements are
different. If some sort of measuring device is not
available, then this will be impossible.
Example:
Measured frequency of the lower octave = 443hz.
Measured frequency of the upper octave = 894hz.
Upper octave frequency divided by 2 = 447hz.
Upper octave reduced frequency divided by lower octave frequency is 447 /
443 = 1.0090 as the interval ratio.
Note:
It is well known among shakuhachi players in Japan that most shakuhachi play
the upper octave about 30 or 35 cents higher than the lower octave. Do
other shakuhachi players outside Japan have this same experience?
Tom Deaver
Bei Shu Shakuhachi Workshop
http://www.aax.mtci.ne.jp/~shaku100/
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