Any metaphor can only go so far, but I would like to note that many of the
$10K+ shakuhachis have gold utaguchi lining and other decorative features
that I don't think improves the tone of the shakuhachi in any special way.
(I don't know the wine market, so I don't know if people pay more for wines
with gold labels on the bottles ...) So if a $10K shakuhachi seems
technically superior to a $1K shakuhachi (according to one's own
standards -- I don't think there's a uniform standard for a great shakuhachi
any more than a uniform standard for great shakuhachi music), it may not be
10 times better. And if a shakuhachi is better for performing purposes, is
it necessarily better for Zen shugyo (discipline)?
Regardless of various preferences for various flutes, I personally think an
obsession for the "perfect flute" can get in the way of enjoying the
shakuhachi.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Zachary Braverman" <zachary@kotodama.net>
To: "weber shaq" <shakuhachi@weber.ucsd.edu>
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2002 4:47 AM
Subject: Re: $$$ and Quality of Shakuhachim II
> On 02.1.24 9:27 AM, "Stav Tapuch" <tapuch@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >
> > Several people have written me asking if there was any follow-up on my
> > earlier questions about the relation of sound, appearance and
> > historical/cultural value to the price of shakuhachi.
> >
> > I have received many responses - but intrestingly enough - people do not
> > feel comfortable discussing these issues in a public forum. Some, as
owners
> > of extensive collections, were afraid that there response would sound
too
> > self-interested. Others were afraid of hurting the feelings and
financial
> > interests of established collectors and flute makers. And a third
group, I
> > think, just didn't think their humble opinion had enough legitimacy and
> > authority to warrant the attention of the entire list.
> >
> >
> > But basically - this is the persepctive that I have culled from the many
> > responses: I think the comparision of shakuhachi to wine is a sound one.
As
> > someone with a rudimentary understanding of wine - $20 bucks can get me
a
> > wine that will make me very satisfied and happy. For this reasonable
amount
> > of money - I can take a long swig, enjoy the taste - and say 'what a
> > wonderful wine!' In this simple spirit - several people, accomplished
> > shakuhachi players, stated that they had found excellent flutes, that
had
> > given them tremendous satisfaction, for prices ranging from $600 to
$1200.
> >
> > Now- I personally know wine experts who can taste the difference between
a
> > $100 bottle and a $1000 dollar bottle of wine. I could never, nor do I
know
> > if I would ever want to be able, to distinguish between wines on this
level.
> > And obviously, the $20 dollar bottle of wine is not going to make these
> > people as content as it will make me.
> > These people have wine cellars with collections of many wines from
different
> > countries, geographical areas, vintage years, and so on. For them the
> > differences between these wines are tangible and very meaningful. I
admire
> > these people for the seriousness, passion and knowledge they bring to
their
> > collections. From my clearly limited perspective I think that serious
wine
> > and shakuhachi collectors are comparable in that the qualitative
differences
> > they are concerned with are not easily accessible to the untrained
palate or
> > ear.
> >
> > And on a somewhat side note - the really serious collectors have lots of
> > flutes for very practical reasons - they recognize the character of each
> > instrument and want to match it with a particular type of music. I am
sure
> > that for non-professional musicians, the idea of having a different
flute
> > for each different kind of music is just not a realistic ambition.
> > (Excluding those with large amounts of disposable income of
course.)Again
> > this just demonstrates the differences between the mentality of the
expert,
> > master performer/collector and the that of the 'common' musician.
> >
> > Please be aware that I wouldn't be too surprised if a year from now I
> > thought that the above was completly uninformed nonsense. If someone a
bit
> > more experienced on this issue wants to shed some more light on this
issue -
> > please do so.
>
> Stav,
>
> I kind of like your wine metaphor, but there is a serious flaw in it, I
> think.
>
> If a connoisseur of fine wines drinks a 10$ bottle of wine, he will have a
> very different experience than when he drinks a $100 bottle of wine.
> However, that is by necessity a personal experience, and all he can do is
> describe it in words.
>
> Someone who is a skilled shakuhachi player will have a different
experience
> playing a $1,000 flute or a $10,000 dollar one. What's important, though,
> is that someone listening will also have a different experience.
Everything
> is not just true only in the person playing.
>
> If someone is really good, they can make any piece of bamboo sound good by
> "putting their spirit into it." However, when that same skill and spirit
is
> poured into a flute made by a master, anyone with ears to hear will be
able
> to tell the difference, and it will affect them differently.
>
> Someone who isn't skilled probably can't tell by playing the flutes,
because
> most good flutes take a skilled player to bring out their potential. It
> takes "high octane breath" to bring out the qualities of any flute, but
> especially the really great ones. This is my experience in my own
playing,
> in watching people play, and in the opinions of people I trust.
>
> Zachary Braverman
>
>
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