Since 2014, I have been making bansuri flutes in the North Indian style (as in India). At this time I do not make Carnatic style flutes. The bansuri is a transverse flute of South Asia made from a single hollow shaft of bamboo. The 2 main sources of inspiration for me for making bansuri are my flute teacher Deepak Ram and the flute maker simply named Anubodh.
Since 2018, I have been influenced by Scottish music, hobbit & lord of the rings, penny whistle music, whisper folk, reggae and others. I designed several flute in the key of D. I really enjoy playing modern music in the style of penny whistle on a bass sounding (long) D bansuri. To compliment this style of flute playing I created a style of music notation that coordinates the vowels of the words in the songs with key notes in the musical phrases. I am sharing some of that music notation on this site. (((Placeholder- add link to list of files or something like that).
My philosophy on bansuri is that they are both an important cultural and spiritual symbol & tool. The physical vibration of music can help each of us connect to the seemingly invisible realm of energy, universal consciousness or God. Everyone I have met that plays bansuri finds it to have meditative and spiritual qualities. That is what attracts me most to making and playing in bansuri. The bansuri has a tremendous range of tones and notes that makes it an ideal instrument for playing classical South Asian music. It is often said that bansuri is the instrument that most mimics the human voice. In addition, the bansuri is a work of art on many levels, the natural visual beauty of bamboo or reed, the beauty of the sound/tone/melody, and when the bansuri is played together with other instruments the experience of listening and playing is magnified manyfold.
Flute Making Steps:
I make concert tuned bansuri that sound and look beautiful. I see each flute as a work of art and as having its own personality and spirit. I invest 4 to 8 hours in making each flute depending on the size of the flute and number of bindings. The most time consuming steps are burning holes, wrapping the bindings and fine tuning. Here are the typical steps I go through in making each flute:
1) Initial Setup- I use only premium materials. I order many specialized materials: bamboo (Assam or Kerala reed/bamboo) from India direct or US importer, binding thread, finish to protect binding, cork, polishing cloths, specialized files.
– Machined my own steel burning rods and made a workbench.
– Made a mini steel forge that can quickly heat steel rods for burning.
2) Meet in person, via skype, or via phone to discuss what each person is looking for. Then I will custom make a flute based on each person’s need. I also have a few number of flutes already made that I anticipate may be needed.
3) Clean bamboo with light touch of rubbing alcohol, sand paper, and polishing cloth.
Initial cut of bamboo to size for 6, 7 or 8 hole flute based on tuning of all holes closed.
4) Cut and shape custom cork from extra select/ premium natural cork. Refine cork shape based on fit.
5) Burn blowhole.
6) Finetune placement of cork.
7) Progressively burn each tuning and tone hole moving from end of flute. Work with 5 mm. rods and progress up to an 11mm rod as needed.
8) Carefully check tuning of each burned hole against electronic tuner and a reference flute that is perfectly tuned.
9) File and sand holes to finetune sound.
10) Sand outer edge of holes to stop windy sound, remove sharp edge and smooth all holes.
11) Sand and round ends of flute.
12) Use a polishing cloth to buff the flute.
13) Select binding color and add bindings.
14) Coat bindings with finish to protect them.
15) Lightly mark via burning the key of flute and makers name/symbol on flute
Care and Maintenance of Bansuri:
– Avoid exposing the flute to cold air or playing in cold air. That is what can crack the flute.
– Oil every 6 months. I prefer Indian mustard oil. Use sparingly. There should be no residue.
– Wipe inside of bansuri after playing. I use a wooden stick with a paper towel wrapped around it. I have heard a straight tuba swab is good too.
– Do not put a flute that has just been played inside a sealed container. It can promote formation of bacteria or mold. Let it dry first.
– Never leave the flute on the floor, bed or other place where it can be easily broken.
– Please refer to Anubodh’s bansuri site for more detailed care and maintenance. http://www.anubodh.com/bansuricare.htm