TUNING

Here I introduce how to tune the instrument. This is how we do it in the Pro Musica Nippon taught b my teacher Miyata Kouhachirou, who is the group's lead shakuhachi player.
It is best to tune the shakuhachi in either Spring or Autumn, when it is not too hot or too cold. The best temperature for tuning is around 20 degree C.
I tune my instruments at 442 hz.

《Where to tune》
Tuning is most effective wen done on the upper side of the hole. To raise the pitch, whittle away the upper side of the hole. To lower the pitch, apply a little putty on the upper side of the hole. I always use wood putty. It is rare to find a shakuhach which is already in tune.

RAISING THE PITCH

When you whittle away the upper edge of the hole to be tuned, never cut against the grain of the bamboo.

Photo 1. whittling away the top edge of the hole

Photo 2. whittling away the bottom edge of the hole.

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LOWERING THE PITCH

Following photographs ,
(1) Use the tapered spatula
(2) Spread the putty on paper
(3) Apply a small amount of putty on the spatula
(4) Apply a small amount of putty on the upper side of the hole
(5) Using the rounded end of the spatula,
(6) Scrape off the excess putty from the inside of the instrument.

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