|
Kunisada 19thC Woodblock
Print
|
Endorsements
of
Tai Hei Shakuhachi
from
Teachers
&
Students
|
"Upon playing my first professional-level Tai Hei shakuhachi, I realized that it is much better than I had imagined it might be. I decided to purchase a professional model Tai Hei shakuhahchi because of the excellent reponse I received from the student model I had. The flute fed me as much information as I was giving it, allowing me to navigate its bore very easily, a reciprocal arrangment. This new flute is even more communicative. It plays and feels great- a quick, full, and even response throughout all registers. I feel humbled by it, to be honest. The pictures on the website really did not do the instrument justice—it is so beautiful. Thank you for making such a wonderful piece. I hope to do it justice over the coming years."
Michael Andrew Doherty
Shakuhachi Student, Durango, CO |
"I have known Monty Levenson for
more than 30years. He has created a unique method for making shakuhachi flutes
using the traditional material of bamboo. I recommend his instruments without
hesitation - especially to beginners - as one of the best shakuhachi available."
Masayuki Koga
Founder and President, The Japanese Music
Institute of America. Shakuhachi Teacher, Composer & Recording Artist.
"Monty Levenson deserves the great
credit for having virtually single-handedly introduced the shakuhachi
flute to America. He has now made an equally momentous step in
bringing the price of quality shakuhachi within the reach of the
average player by perfecting the technique of casting shakuhachi
bores which duplicate those of instruments costing as much as
$10,000 each; he bring the musical qualities of such rare masterpieces
to shakuhachi players of modest means. The International Shakuhachi
Society unreservedly recommends Tai Hei Shakuhachi to all players
- up to an including those at concert levels."
Dan E. Mayers
President, International Shakuhachi
Society.
"I want to thank you for the very
fine flutes which you have sent me during the past year. One of
the biggest problems we face in introducing the shakuhachi to
American students is the high cost of traditional instruments
and the difficulty of ordering instruments from Japan. The consistent
quality of your flutes and their reasonable price constitute a
big breakthrough that now makes it much easier for shakuhachi
enthusiasts in the United States to work with bamboo instruments
and thereby gain an appreciation of a very special and unique
music tradition. I, for one, certainly value the important contribution
you are making!"
Ralph
Samuelson
Shakuhachi Teacher trained
in the classical tradition of the Kinko Ryu under Goro Yamaguchi,
Kodo Araki V & Shudo Yamato. Lecturer & Recording Artist.
"No matter who the maker or what
the price, it is not appropriate to recommend a shakuhachi without
playing on it. I can, however, say this: Monty Levenson has progressed
from being a very fine craftsman of 'home-made California shakuhachi'
to becoming an instrument maker whose flutes are up to the high
standards of the best shakuhachi made anywhere!"
John
Kaizan Neptune
Shakuhachi Maker, Composer
& Recording Artist.
"I would like to address this to all those in America
who have interest in shakuhachi. I am a maker of shakuhachi flutes in Japan
using traditional methods and involved in this craft for over 20 years. When
I played the instruments made by Monty Levenson for the first time, the surprise
and shock I experienced are indescribable. The shakuhachi he makes are truly
wonderful. Their tone color, balance of sound and overall quality are excellent.
If this level instrument were made using the traditional methods, it would require
a tremendous amount of work. The price of such a flute would start at ¥150,000
to ¥200,000. For people in America, it may be hard to believe, but some
shakuhachi in Japan are incredibly expensive. I strongly recommend Monty's shakuhachi
for all players."
Masuda Shuho
Master craftsman of
traditional shakuhachi.
"For the last thirty years, Japanese entrepreneurs
have been thoroughly studying the American automotive industry and its market.
They took an American-made product, improved it, raised the level of quality,
lowered the price, and greatly improved production efficiency.
"For the last thirty years, Monty Levenson has
been studying how to make shakuhachi. He took a traditional Japanese instruments
and discovered a way to improve it, make it more affordable and easier to play.
On a lesser scale, his success story rivals that of any of the large Japanese
automobile companies known to all Americans. Now, In Japan, Monty's instruments
are being more popular and his name more familiar. People recognize quality
regardless of its origins."
Christopher Yohmei Blasdel
Shakuhachi teacher licensed
by Goro Yamaguchi. Author of Shakuhachi: A Manual for Learning.
Recording Artist & Lecturer.
"Monty H. Levenson has always been
one of my favorite people. He is a rare breed - a good and honorable
man. Within the past ten years, I have swung over to the use of
Tai Hei Shakuhachi - an excellent and inexpensive instrument.
For a flute which is normally so expensive, he has provided a
way for many, many westerners to get started on the shakuhachi.
His product also improves every year. Keep up the good work!"
Ronnie
Nyogetsu Seldin
Founder and Grand Master,
Ki-Sui-An Shakuhachi Dojo. Teacher & Recording Artist.
"Dear Monty,
Just got back to Japan yesterday. Thank you so much for your hospitality
and time, and really number one in my mind, for what you did with
my flutes. My hassun is just so much better! As I prepare to play
a concert scheduled for this weekend where I will play three honkyoku,
I marvel at how much more I am getting out of this flute. It really
has become a mother of an instrument! Monty, you can put your
stamp on it any time. You brought it back from the dead. Again,
thanks to your work."
Bruce
Huebner
Shakuhachi teacher trained
in the classical tradition of the Kinko Ryu under Goro Yamaguchi
and Junsuke Kawase. First non-Japanese to graduate from the Japanese
Music Dept. of Tokyu University of Fine Arts & Music. Author
of a three-volume teaching video on Kinko-ryu shakuhachi.
"With a great passion to consistently improve the
quality of his craftsmanship, I have seen Monty Levenson develop into a superb
shakuhachi maker over the past thirty years. Being a user of one of his shakuhachi
myself as a concert instrument, I clearly recommend his shakuhachi flutes."
John
Singer
Shakuhachi Master of the Kinko
& Kinpu Ryu. Teacher & Recording Artist.
"If Tai Hei Shakuhachi Flutes did
not exist, I would not be able to teach or perform. Whether your
interest is in student or professional grade flutes, there is
no other choice. Montys approach to shakuhachi making is nothing
short of amazing. He has refined the traditional methods with
modern techniques and this, combined with his total dedication
and spiritual nature, allows him to produce instruments that are
unmatched in this or maybe even any price range. These are also
the easiest instruments to care for - which is very important
for beginning students - as well as being virtually indestructible.
Every teacher or student of this ancient art form should have
at least one Tai Hei Shakuhachi in his or her collection."
Barry
Nyosui Weiss
Licensed Master of the Kinko
School. Head of the Kita Yama Dojo. Teacher & Recording Artist.
"Monty, It occured to me that I
could be setting myself up for a letdown, waiting so intently...
No way. I'm 100% satisfied- the 1.6' student shakuhachi is a phenominal
flute, it plays like $1000.-$1500. Color is rich, as is the tone
color. Just about plays itself (OK, 15years of practice helps
a bit). It will probably turn up on my next album as well. Will
start rehearsals with koto in a few days. Well done. This flute
will come to life."
Daniel
Soergel
Licensed Master of
the Kinko Ryu, Teacher & Recording Artist
"There are shakuhachi instruments
and there are end-blown bamboo flutes that are similar to shakuhachi
but are not shakuhachi because of deviations in pitch, sound production,
and/or sub-standard quality of bamboo. These latter flutes may
be fine to doodle on, but I couldn't teach you very much using
them. In contrast, the flutes of Monty Levenson that I have seen
recently are most definitely shakuhachi."
Riley Lee
Grand Master and Head, Chikuho
School of Shakuhachi. Teacher & Recording Artist.
"Thank you! The flute you made
for me is incredible. I did not believe, for the last 20 years,
that I could ever play such beautiful, evocative tones. Last night
taught me otherwise. I played simple pieces and was entranced
by the subtle beauty of the sounds from your Tai Hei Shakuhachi.
It plays all by itself without my conscious effort. I did not
realize that my struggle all these years was based on playing
the wrong flute. Notes and nuances that I used to fight to achieve
simply leaped from the flute. No kidding. I am looking forward
to years of enjoyment and enlightenment. Again, thanks so much."
Joseph A. Laronge
Shakuhachi player. USA
"I am very grateful because it
has been five months since I received my shakuhachi from you.
Since that time I have enjoyed playing on it and am amazed at
the sound it produces. For years now I have been trying to achieve
a true tone on the shakuhachi. I have been told that this goal
would take a long, long time to reach. I tried so many different
ways of playing and could just not understand what I was doing
wrong. Since receiving your shakuhachi, my feelings for the flute
have changed very much. I do not feel so tired after playing,
my mouth is more relaxed, my fingers can feel the shakuhachi vibrate.
I can really appreciate this instrument for its sound and Buddhistic
influence. Thank you again, Monty, for all you have given me."
Greg Matsuura
Shakuhachi player. USA
"I have been playing the flute
you sent to me over the summer (I bought the advanced student
model.). The quality of the instrument is outstanding. I am sure
you get outlandish praise all the time, judging by the quality
of the flute I have now, but I am really stricken by the sounds
that come out of the thing. I have never played a more responsive
instrument in all my woodwind days. The tone and resonance in
their infinite variations are mindblowing. Thank you so much,
it is an endless joy to play."
James Joyce
Woodwind player. USA
"It took some time but now that
I finally have my own computer it became possible for me to thank
you for my beautiful instrument by sending this mail. It's been
three years now since I got my 2.4 pro.rootend model and I must
say it's all that I hoped for: perfect pitch, good soundbalance
between notes, ability to easily play a whole variety of great
colors, good soundprojection together with great looks (I have
to thank mother nature for that though you've chosen this piece
of bamboo). As a professional percussionist I've been using the
shakuhachi whenever there was space for it, so I took the instrument
to different theaters in the Netherlands and Germany; we even
played a tune at the North Sea Jazz Festival( the largest indoor
jazz festival in the world) this year!. Apart from the professional
side it's a perfect tool for meditation and breathing exercise
and since spiritual growth is my main drive in this life, the
shakuhachi became an beloved companion along the way. Suffice
to say that I'm very grateful for my bamboo flute and I hope that
people around the world will keep on finding peace and inspiration
in playing on and listening to the beautiful bamboo flutes that
you make.
Ignas te Wiel
Professional musician. Switzerland
"Well it's really quite amazing. The 1.8' arrived yesterday in the evening
and I played it for two hours. What an experience. Such a beautiful instrument.
The range is enormous—from the so soft and velvety hushed tones of stillness
to a full throated cry, a whirlwind of energy with a mind of its own! Over
and over, I lost myself in the sound, in the playing only to suddenly be stopped
short by what was happening, particularly the wonderful vocal quality of the
sound. I love the softness of just breathing into the flute but also get totally
absorbed from playing loudly and juggling with those amazing effects and surges
of vibrations at higher volume. Chaos never sounded so good. It really does
feel and sound alive. How do you do it? I suspect that you are some sort of
magician.
"I am more familiar with the size
of the 1.8' and am taking a while to get used to the bigger 2.4'. But when
I picked up the 2.4' after playing the 1.8', the same fluency and confidence
started to emerge—and the deeper tones and resonances are lovely. The
Kan register on both flutes is so easy to play softly and to shade, but also
has its own characteristic energy at higher volumes. And I can play the first
three notes of the third octave as well on both flutes—very sweet. I'm
just amazed and a bit dazed by the experience.
"Thank you so much. I feel so pleased
that I decided to buy these flutes. They are remarkable and already teaching
me so much. For example, I found myself playing wonderful muraiki when all
my attempts in the past just didn't happen. What an incredible sound! As Masayuki
Koga says in his book, you need to play from the heart. With your instruments
this is so easy as it feels as if there is a direct channel from my heart
centre to the flute. At times, whatever I was feeling was coming out through
the flute—a truly uncanny and beautiful experience where boundaries
dissolve.
"So, thanks for everything. I really
appreciate your wonderful art and the magical qualities of your flutes. Thank
you!
Ken Tyler
Shakuhachi player. United Kingdom
"Yesterday
evening the shakuhachi arrived safe and sound. What an instrument! I am
amazed and delighted.The photos didn't do it
justice. It far exceeded my wildest expectations. I like everything, the
colour, the beautiful inlaid bindings, and especially the shape. It is incredibly
responsive and a pleasure to play. The low "Ro" is superb, pianissimo or fortissimo with equal ease and clarity. Now the onus is on me
to do justice to such a wonderful instrument. You can be sure that it will
receive the care and respect deserving of a shakuhachi with the spirit of
Masuda Shuho, and the heart of it's creator, artist/craftsman extraordinaire,
Monty Levenson.
The two-part shakuhachi bag is equally well-made and beautiful, a perfect
match for my new shakuhachi.
"I am grateful beyond words.
A million thanks for everything."
Chris Rose.
Bangkok Thailand
"Well it has been two weeks or so since I received the shakuhachi
you made for me and I can't put it down! At the ripe old age of fourty
seven,
and having been around the world a few times, it takes a lot to truly impress me.
I must say the the shakuhachi you made me has gotten my attention. From
the moment I received my well wrapped Fedx box until now long after I
have
opened it, I have been impressed.
"I love the hard caring case, the cloth storage bag and of course,
the instrument; your attention to the entire process from wrapping, shipping
and craftsmanship is over the top and you should be congratulated. Some
friends were in my home and saw just the black cloth storage bag you made,
one thing lead to another, after seeing and hearing the shakuhachi
they couldn't belive that it was hand made here in the United States, in
the old world tradition, I think they have been bitten by the shakuhachi
bug!
I am looking forward to a very long friendship with
you, your workshop and another shakuhachi! Thank you again, so very much
for your attention to detail and the piece of art work!
Gasso!
Jack Detjen-Creson
Mill Valley, California
"I
have just received a root end 2.8 from Monty. It is a truely wonderful
instrument with a rich tone that
seems almost infinitely mallable from a breathy, hollow sound to a reedy
buzz and and with a great dynamic range... I don't want to put it down!
Jolyon Pyne
Bedford, England
Jinashikan
Endorsements
Shakuhachi
Repair & Restoration Endorsements
Hogaku
Journal Review of Tai Hei Shakuhachi Flutes
SHAKULUTE:
Shakuhachi Headjoint Endorsements
Tai Hei Shakuhachi Homepage
Main Menu