Shakulute Anyone? Play a Flute like a Recorder

[Gandalfe]

I purchased this Shakulute which is Bamboo Head Joint for Silver Concert Flute

By Monty H. Levenson of Tai Hei Shakuhachi, it achieves many of the tonal dynamics of a Shakuhachi and adds a new pallet of interesting tonal colors, for concert silver flutes. Using the flute fingerings you already know, you can play the flute in a vertical forward direction. I should have this purchase sometime next week to play with.

Read more... (http://gandalfe.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!51AA828BCB20646!2639.entry)

http://i12.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/ba/f8/9760_3.JPG

[pete]

Interesting. I can say, from the MP3s, that I hear a lot of regular flute sound. It also sounds a bit hard to control.

I'll be interested in hearing about your experiences with it!

[Gandalfe]

I expected to hear a more recorder like sound and liked the hybrid sound that sounded more like a flute to my ears than a recorder.

[Gandalfe]

Well the shakulute (http://gandalfe.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!51AA828BCB20646!2639.entry) arrived but it was harder for me to play than the flute. So the maker of the shakulute is making me a recorder-like mouthpiece for my Gemeinhardt flute.

It should be very interesting and I'll try to remember to report back when it is finished. But so far the specs are silver joint with ebony grenadilla wood mouthpiece. Adjustable thumb piece for the right hand. Instrument played in the vertical (vs. horizontal) position.

Why? Because I am spending so much time learning to play the clarinet and polish my saxophone playing that I couldn't really justify the extra time on flute. Oh, and that 50 hour a week job doesn't help much either.

[pete]

Tell Steve that he's working you too hard and you need a vacation.

Looking at the pics of the folks playing the thing, I can understand that the embochure is difficult. However, if you can get a recorder-type headjoint, I'd almost be interested in getting one. However, I think a used Yamaha WX-7 and a used sampler are a tad cheaper ....