Q3: How do the various models of Tai Hei Shakuhachi differ in quality? How can the various grades of Student and Professional models be compared?

A: Grading of Tai Hei Shakuhachi takes into account the aesthetics of the bamboo as well as the quality of sound produced by the finished instrument.

Grading and subsequent pricing of Professional models of Tai Hei jiari-style shakuhachi are based on two criteria—bamboo aesthetics and the acoustical and performance qualities of the completed instrument. 

Initially, the quality of the madaké root is assessed based on traditionally-defined aesthetics of the bamboo, then divided into distinctive levels of quality. This initial phase of the shakuhachi craft process is something outside the hands of the maker and entirely defined by nature. This aspect of the shakuhachi is immediately identifiable, so first to be considered. Other than locating appropriate pieces of this rare bamboo, properly harvesting, curing, and subsequently modifying the shape and overall length of the culm, there is little a shakuhachi craftsman can do the change or improve the aesthetic of the naturally-occurring plant. This aspect of the grading process has virtually no effect whatsoever on the acoustical and performance of the instrument which is entirely defined by the structural aspects of the craft process such as utaguchi mouthpiece design, finger hole placement and size, and most importantly, the precision of the interior bore profile that determines the resonance response of the oscillation air column and pressure wave inside the flute. Unlike bamboo aesthetics, sound production, intonation of the open-hole frequencies, and the acoustical and performance qualities of the instrument as completely within the domain and determination of the maker. 

Bamboo Aesthetics 

There has evolved over hundreds of years a traditional aesthetic for bamboo used for making shakuhachi which takes into account size, coloration, shape, density, nodal placement, and root structure. All bamboos I use are initially evaluated on the basis of their proximity to this aesthetic. The highest grades come closest to the traditional standard. The ideal applied to bamboo used for shakuhachi is particularly Japanese, in that its occurrence in nature is elusive, difficult to find and, in a pure form, exceedingly rare. Which is to say that the perfect piece of bamboo for shakuhachi is as ephemeral as the sound it produces. In Japan, this aspect of shakuhachi is a major consideration in ascribing value to an instrument. Variations in price often depends upon the unique qualities, distinctive coloration, and relative rarity of the bamboo used for each individual flute. 

For complete information go to Bamboo & Other Materials Used to Make Tai Hei Shakuhachi. 

Acoustical and Performance Qualities 

While very important to me as a maker, the daunting and labor-intensive effort required to access bamboo suitable for shakuhachi pales compared to the endeavors required to produce a well-playing instrument at the highest level. While the Precision Cast Bore technology I innovated has revolutionized the process of fabricating and replicating interior bore profiles for jiari-style instruments, it is still and will always be impossible to mass-produce a quality shakuhachi. 

This point deserves to be emphasized. Unlike makers of woodwind instruments such as the recorder, 19th C. European Baroque flute, oboe, and clarinet, amongst many others, the shakuhachi maker is limited by the natural form of bamboo. While the interior bore of the shakuhachi may be worked to perfection, only God or Gaia—depending upon your perspective—makes the outside of the flute. Inserting the five tone holes in a shakuhachi connects the meticulously fabricated interior bore of the flute to outside surface of the bamboo. These finger holes represent Grand Canyons of acoustical space that become part of the bore profile, thereby rendering the instrument distinctive and far different from the gauge flute used as template. Hence, variations from a high-quality gauge flute upon which the maker models his instruments will consequently vary to a significant degree with each new shakuhachi made. Even with the consistency provided by the precision casting technology, each and every instrument produced is acoustically different and must be "fine tuned” for resonance response to approach the tonal qualities exhibited by the gauge flute. In this process minuscule amounts of physical alteration of the bore—plus or minus 0.01 mm.— can have radical consequences on the acoustics and sound production of the instrument. Adjusting the bore of a shakuhachi is a meticulous, time-consuming process aimed at balancing tonality of the one-hole frequencies, resonance response, and sensitivity for all of the notes in both octaves of the instrument. It is a challenging and often frustrating process which as often ends in failure as success. Herein lies the secrets to creating superior instruments and might be considered the greatest challenge faced by the shakuhachi maker. 

For complete information on this process, go to Precision Cast Bore Technology and PCB Story. 

That being said, the short answer to your questions is as follows. Professional model Tai Hei jiari shakuhachi are all made from specially-selected root-end madaké bamboo whose interior bores are adjusted to a very exacting standard. Both bamboo aesthetics and performance of the shakuhachi factor into the grading process and are balanced against each other to determine the final pricing of the instrument. Only when this final phase of the fine tuning process is completed, can the price of the instrument be determined.

The Student, Advanced Student, Teacher and Master models of Tai Hei Shakuhachi are graded with these considerations in mind and appear to have benefited greatly over time from extensive research into woodwind acoustics and innovations in the craft process. The Student and Advanced Student models are made from madaké or Torachiku bamboo cut above the root and fine tuned to a commensurate level. Torachiku (Tiger Bamboo) is a special variety of black bamboo I was very fortunate to obtain from horticulturists on Shikoku Island in Japan where it originates. This bamboo is distinguished by its mottled color and beautiful variegated markings. The three Professional models are all made from root-end madakè bamboo whose bores are adjusted to a very exacting standard, the degree to which depends upon the grade of the instrument. Each level of Professional flute is subdivided into three grades. The highest-quality Master models tend to be culled, as well, from the many flutes that are produced in the workshop.

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