8 Hole Shakuhachi Dongxiao Bamboo Flute C/F Key Zen Instrument

I love this flute. It is extremely well made and the tone quality is excellent. I have no trouble playing the first and second octaves and am sure with more practice and skill I'll be able to increase the range accessible. The mouthpiece being akin to what you would find on a Shakuhachi is a bit challenging compared to a fipple style flute like a Recorder or Native American style flute. Be sure you're up for it. If you can produce sound by blowing on the rim of an empty glass soda bottle you should be ready to give one of these a try. Unlike a Shakuhachi which normally has 5 holes, this has 8. There are 7 on the front and a thumbhole on the back. It makes the chromatic range of this much easier to access than if you had to rely on half holing or note bending. I personally think the combination of 8 holes and a "Tang style" (Xiao from the Tang Dynasty era are the ancestors of the Shakuhachi) mouthpiece gives the greatest range of any of the wooden world flutes. You have the full chromatic range plus the ability to bend notes up and down and utilize all of the various techniques usually unique to Shakuhachi playing. The flute I received was actually the key of F (middle C root note) rather than G (D4 root). It also happens to be 1/2 step flat.

This instrument has a beautiful sound and is very expressive! It combines the melodic capabilities of the 8-hole xiao with the pitch-bending abilities of the Japanese shakuhachi. The workmanship is extremely good. Shipping was fast.