Endorsements
Endorsements
from Professional Players / Teachers
I
like the Yuu Shakuhachi very much. I like the quality
of this flute for the price.
- Masayuki Koga
Shakuhachi Master and
Teacher - USA
I
would be happy to write a testimonial for the
Yuu Shakuhachi. I think they are the best thing
that's ever happened for shakuhachi beginners in the
USA. Financially and qualitatively they can't be
beat. There is nothing else close out there for
the price.
- Michael Chikuzen Gould
Shakuhachi Teacher
and Performer - USA
I recommend the Shakuhachi Yuu to anyone starting shakuhachi. It's in tune, virtually indestructible, and inexpensive. But most importantly, it sounds really good. I am always relieved when a new student has a Yuu—I don't have to worry about their instrument, just their playing!
- Phil Nyokai James
Shakuhachi Teacher and Performer - USA
What
a surprising instrument is the Yuu Shakuhachi. Robust
plastic, molded into the form of a bamboo root-end,
it certainly looks the part. But the most pleasing
aspect is the tremendous sound; so clear and
responsive. I would have no hesitation in using the
Shakuhachi Yuu in a performance at any level. It is a
must for beginners, and at such a reasonable price,
and as a "second" flute for experienced
shakuhachi players, professionals and teachers.
- Andrew MacGregor
Shakuhachi Teacher and
Performer - Australia
The Yuu shakuhachi offers a very affordable and decent flute that is adequate both for beginners, as a basic entry level flute, as well as more advanced players who are seeking a flute to take to the beach or to the woods or to the desert. The Shakuhachi Yuu is the finest inexpensive flute available at the present time.
- Philip Gelb
Shakuhachi Performer and Teacher - USA
I am a professional musician and I teach shakuhachi in Montréal. I endorse the Shakuhachi Yuu fully. It is a very good student instrument and great back-up for professional shakuhachi players. I also find your Shakuhachi Yuu very handy for a tough task—jazz clubs, outside concerts and cold weather!
-
Michel Dubeau
Woodwind and Shakuhachi Player/Teacher - Canada
Recently
I played the plastic Yuu Shakuhachi for the first
time. And I am really impressed by it. This is an
instrument that I can give to beginning students who
do not yet have a shakuhachi of their own. Now they
can experience how it feels to play a real
shakuhachi, because this instrument is in many ways
comparable with a good quality shakuhachi. The weight
makes it feel like a genuine madake shakuhachi.
Another very good quality for beginning students is
that it is rather easy to produce a tone and the tone
quality is strong and pure. And all this for a rather
cheap price. As for myself, I am very glad to have
found this instrument. Now I can take my shakuhachi
wherever I want to go without having to be afraid it
will be damaged. And also, now I can take a bath and
play my own music...great!
- Kees Kort
Shakuhachi Teacher - Holland
Shakuhachi isn't for everyone, and it's a shame when a beginner has to spend a fortune on a flute before they know for sure if this is what they want to do. With the Yuu shakuhachi the new student can get started without getting a second mortgage on their house! The Yuu has good volume and is not plastic sounding at all. The shape, weight, and balance gives it the feel of a traditional shakuhachi, so if and when one moves to a more expensive bamboo shakuhachi it will be a smooth transition. Since the Yuu Shakuhachi is easy to play and has a very pleasing sound, the beginner will be less frustrated and more likely to stick with it. I think the Yuu is perfect for students to learn the traditional shakuhachi repertoire on.
- Peter Ross
Shakuhachi Teacher - Mexico
I bought my Shakuhachi Yuu in order to have a second 1.8 shakuhachi that I could take with me anywhere without worry. I have been delighted to find that this shakuhachi responds not only with beautiful tone color and resonance, but accurate pitch as well. I love bringing it with me wherever I go and being able to work on my sound while away from home. I recommend the Yuu to both students and professionals. It is a serious instrument at a very affordable price.
- Marc Berner
Professional flutist/saxophonist - Florida, USA
I am a professional musician and teacher. I play saxophones primarily and flutes as doubles. I own various wooden flutes, from bansuri to 19th century transverse flutes. For a shauhachi, I use a bamboo root end. I found the Yuu website and was intrigued by the price. I thought if it doesn't play well then I could have a shakuhachi for a student or a nice conversation piece. I listened to the sound clip and was amazed at the sound. Is this for real? Well, I received the Yuu, I tried it, and could not put it down. Great tuning, sound and very playable! The balance across the scale is wonderful, no dead notes, everything rings. I did some recording dates on it and it sounded just like my bamboo root end, not better but on par I would say. I took the Yuu to demo at an Asian music class and students were shocked to find out that it was plastic! Since then I've stained and painted it to look like old bamboo and nobody can tell the differerence. I'm using the Yuu more than my other flutes for the simple reason that I now have a good flute that I can take along anywhere and not worry about damage. I have no problems with playing on plastic; my main concern is sound and the Yuu answers that need.
- T. T.
Professional musician and teacher - Philippines
Endorsements
from Customers
This is amazing! I received the flute today...wow. I`ve been playing shakuhachi for nearly 15 years and have bought a lot of them, and never have I been so surprised by the tone, response and tuning. The Yuu is more in tune than my 70+ year old Kawase. It will be a great flute for everyday work, especially jazz and live music in sometimes weird conditions. Give my regards to the maker!
M. D. - Quebec, Canada
Concerning the Shakuhachi Yuu, it is an exellent and robust meditation instrument with a moderate price and a good sound, which I also use for public performances.
I am a professional artist and offer performances in the areas of meditative and experimental music.
R. M. M., Shakuhachi player, meditation teacher, percussionist -
Heidesheim, Germany
I have just received my Shakuhachi Yuu and I am very impressed. My friend and I did a sound test of three different 1.8 shakuhachi: the Yuu, a $500 bamboo flute, and a $2,000 bamboo flute. I played in the other room as he listened, then he played as I listened. Neither of us could reliably pick out the Yuu's sound from the other two bamboo instruments—we were shocked. I will never stop loving bamboo for its dimensional character, but the Shakuhachi Yuu is a fantastic instrument. Thank you for making it happen!
W. C. - New Mexico, USA
I honestly think that there is no finer instrument for one who wishes to begin this path! The freedom from worry about maintenance
and durability combines with the affordable price to make the Shakuhachi Yuu an incomparable value. The more I play it, the more enchanted I am with it and the happier I am that I ordered this from you.
I am convinced the Yuu will remain a faithful companion to me for decades yet ahead.
J . H. - Alabama, USA
I received the Shakuhachi Yuu today, it is so nice. I am a flute maker and I must say that anyone who does not own a Yuu because of the material it is made from needs to ask themselves why? The Yuu surpasses the sound of quite a few expensive shakuhachi I have played. The economical factors and the no worry ABS plastic makes this one of the best shakuhachi out there. I can finally go to the Florida coastline and play a quality shakuhachi without having any worry in my heart about my flute...my music will be unaffected and pure.
J. K. / Flute maker - Florida, USA
I have received my shakuhachi today. Good instrument. Easy to play, good response and tuning. I will surely recommend it to my students and friends! Thanks for the good service!
C. M. - Canada
Many
thanks for this wonderful flute. The tone colour,
balance of sound and intonation are excellent.
Incredible for the price!
R. M. - Bretagne, France
The
Shakuhachi Yuu makes the third addition to my
collection of shakuhachi. And after having had the
chance to play it for awhile, I can unreservedly say
that I am extremely happy with it. I have
already recommended it to a friend as an excellent
beginner's flute. The Yuu plays just as well as my
bamboo flutes and I don't have to fuss or worry over
it so much when going out to play in more rugged
locations. In fact, I carry it with me a lot and
break it out during spontaneous, inspired
moments. I sincerely feel like having the Yuu
has helped me to expand my abilities on the
shakuhachi.
W. R. - Texas, USA
I
have to say that I am very happy with the Yuu. I was
skeptical until another flute maker told me they had
merit. I have used the Shakuhachi Yuu for several
outdoor concerts in the park and I take it everywhere
with me. The Yuu and my other 1.8 shakuhachi are
seeing the sights of Kyoto and Nakajima. The quality
of sound is quite good for the price. I have
purchased flutes for hundreds of dollars more from
established makers that were not half the quality. I
would recommend this flute to the beginner or
intermediate player and especially to the traveler
who might worry about a more fragile bamboo flute. I
am even using the Yuu as a backup on one of the
tracks on my new CD. Thanks for the wonderful
product.
G. B., Shakuhachi maker/musician - Arkansas,
USA
I
received the shakuhachi today. Thank you, thank
you! It is as good as you advertised it. The tuning
is perfect, it plays easily and sounds great. I have
been looking for such an instrument, but have not
found anyone that sells one until I found your site.
Best wishes for your prison dharma ministry. May many
people in prison or out be freed from the prison of
their mind.
A. T. - Massachusetts , USA
As
a beginner to the Shakuhachi, I was a little confused
over the many different types available and the large
sums of many they can cost. After trying a reasonable
quality bamboo 1.8, I discovered the Shakuhachi Yuu.
Despite being cast in a plastic resin I found the
flute really looks the part and is much easier to
play than any bamboo flutes I have tried. The sound
is authentic and I have felt more impulse to pick it
up and try to play it! All round great idea; robust
for travelling, easy to care for, and great sound.
J. C. - Paris, France
...
got it within 1.5 days after shipping in perfect
shape. Really like it and have been playing three
hours a night since. My playing has come along
amazingly since I've had it...very easy to play and
sounds great. Thanks much!
G. L. - Washington, USA
I
received my Yuu yesterday and quickly found out that
the Yuu is truly a most wonderful, quality musical
instrument. I have read in books and on the internet,
that getting a sound from the shakuhachi can be a
daunting task for some. However, this was no problem
for me, within minutes I got a sound from the Yuu and
even later started playing some melodies on it. I
can't praise the Yuu highly enough. It has a quick
response, superb tone and possesses that plaintive
sound unique to the shakuhachi. And because it is
practically indestructible I don't have to worry it
will crack when I take it with me on my summer
vacation to play in nature. Thank you for bringing
this incredible, affordable flute to shakuhachi fans
worldwide, thus enabling beginners like myself to
partake in the magick of this ultimate
solo-instrument.
H.H. - Kopavogur, Iceland
This
flute is fantastic. It is the best value for the
money shakuhachi available in the UK - even when you
factor in British import tax on musical instruments.
You can quote me on this if you like. It is
completely playable in all registers and compatible
for formal study in traditional Japanese music. I am
very happy with all aspects of it and will probably
start decorating it with modeling paints to further
enhance the bamboo look.
S. M. - United Kingdom
I
have been practicing the shakuhachi for several years
now. I have found the Yuu flutes to be a wonderful
alternative to taking a more expensive instrument
with me, when I might otherwise feel it to be more
prudent to leave my expensive model home and thus be
flute-less. So whether I'm bouncing down the coral on
my bike or hopping on an airplane, I have no
hesitation to throw a flute in for those spontaneous
desires that crop up to blow a little Ro. The Yuu
flute has much sound I've yet to discover and is very
durable.
J. C. - Micronesia
When
I received my Yuu, I was not expecting anything very
great. But the more I played it, the better
it seemed. I am delighted with it. I think it is the
best $86 I have ever spent in my life! My teacher
also realized right away how good it is&mdashhe
asked me to get two for him on the spot.
C. T. - Massachusetts , USA
About
the Yuu Shakuhachi. It plays well, like a $1500
shakuhachi. It has the right weight, shape, feel,
color, and pitch. The price is wonderful. As for the
sound, it is clear and very bright, a very Western
sound; I would say that it has a dense and compact
character, thus making it clear and bright,
optimistic maybe. Maybe this kind of sound is really
what the world needs in these days of
turmoil. For the money, perhaps it is the best
flute to begin...a great way to begin and also very
durable to take any place, even the desert for any
level player. I think there is a definite difference
in the timbre of the sound from the ABS pipe to the
bamboo, which is more open, porous, and resonant, but
there are many positive reasons to play the Yuu
Shakuhachi as well. Playing it can be very
satisfying.
M. B. - California, USA
I
am indeed quite pleased with the Yuu Shakuhachi. The
quality of this instrument was so much better than I
expected. This instrument is certainly great for
beginners like me because you know that you are
getting an instrument that is versatile, plays well
and travels well. I really wanted to learn to play
the shakuhachi, but was not ready to spend thousands
of dollars to obtain a flute just to begin my
learning. The Yuu is really a great instrument and
quite affordable - a truly excellent choice for
beginners and also for those who want to travel with
their shakuhachi. Further, the New England climate
can be quite extreme and dry at times, and I never
have to worry about climate or weather damaging this
flute. Thanks so much - I am quite pleased with the
Yuu!
P. K. - Connecticut, USA
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