Shakuhachi Pitch Chart

Finger Hole 

Key*

7-hole
 

#1
 

#2
 

#3

7-hole
 

#4
 

#5
 Length
(shaku)
 Length
(cm.)
 Range

 Low to High Pitch
   

High


to


Low


Pitch
RO
  TSU
RE
CHI
RI
RO'

1.3
40.0

G

G#

A

B♭

B

C

C#

D

D#

E

F

F#

G'

1.4
43.0

F#

G

G#

A

B♭

B

C

C#

D

D#

E

F

F#'

1.5
46.0

F

F#

G

G#

A

B♭

B

C

C#

D

D#

E

F'

1.6
48.5

E

F

F#

G

G#

A

B♭

B

C

C#

D

D#

E'

1.7
52.0

E♭

E

F

F#

G

G#

A

B♭

B

C

C#

D

E♭'

1.8
54.5

D

E♭

E

F

F#

G

G#

A

B♭

B

C

C#

D'

1.9
59.0

C#

D

E♭

E

F

F#

G

G#

A

B♭

B

C

C#'

2.0
62.5

C

C#

D

E♭

E

F

F#

G

G#

A

B♭

B

C'

2.1
66.0

B

C

C#

D

E♭

E

F

F#

G

G#

A

B♭

B'

2.3
70.0

B♭

B

C

C#

D

E♭

E

F

F#

G

G#

A

B♭'

2.4
75.0

A

B♭

B

C

C#

D

E♭

E

F

F#

G

G#

A'

2.6
79.5

G#

A

B♭

B

C

C#

D

E♭

E

F

F#

G

G#'

2.8
84.0

G

G#

A

B♭

B

C

C#

D

E♭

E

F

F#

G'

*Key is the pitch sounded with all the holes closed.
Finger Hole numbers are counted starting from the bottom of the flute.
Japanese Name of Open Hole Notes: RO, TSU, RE, CHI, RI, RO' (Second Octave)
Open-Hole Pitches listed under each finger hole number assumes that the holes below it are opened as well.
Alternate Pitches are produced by cross-fingering and changing the angle at which the shakuhachi is blown (Meri/Kari). See Fingering Chart.
The fingering charts, while based on the 1.8', shows that any shakuhachi can be played a semitone lower than the nominal key by blowing and holding the flute in the various meri positions: Ro Meri, Ro Chu Meri ["Half Meri"], or Ro Dai Meri (or O Meri) ["Big or Deep Meri"].
Each column represents an interval of one semitone.
Based on the equal temperament system of tuning, some notes designated as sharp (#) can alternately
be referred to by their flatted equivalents. Hence, for example G# is the same frequency as A-flat. For the sake of convention, I have referred to notes using the flat accidental rather than the flatted designation. In fact, they are the same musical note.
In its traditional music, the shakuhachi has a range of approximately 2 1/2 octaves. Some notes above this can be produced
Length measured in centimeters is approximate and can vary slightly with each flute.


Frequency Range (cps/hz) at A=440 at 20° C (68°F)

Range  Note = Frequency Acoustical Society
of America
Octave
Designation:
Helmholtz Octave
Designation
5-Line Staff
Notation
 

High
to

Low


Pitch
C = 523.25 hz
C# = 554.37 hz
D = 587.33 hz
D# = 622.25 hz
E = 659.26 hz
F = 698.46 hz
F# = 739.99 hz
G = 783.99 hz
C5c''   
C = 261.63 hz
C# = 277.18 hz
D = 293.66 hz
D# = 311.13 hz
E = 329.63 hz
F = 349.23 hz
F# = 369.99 hz
G = 392.00 hz
G# = 415.30 hz
A = 440.00 hz
A# = 466.16 hz
B = 493.88 hz
 
C4 c'  
G = 196.00 hz
G# = 207.65 hz
A = 220.00 hz
A# = 233.08 hz
B = 246.94 hz
 
C3 c  

On a piano, the highest note is C8 or c'''''; the lowest note is A0 or A''. Middle C is C4 or c'.
Frequency Range Chart compiled with the help of Bart Hopkin, Air Columns & Tone Holes


Shakuhachi Fingering Charts

Arrow Shakuhachi Fingering Chart - Page 1

Arrow Shakuhachi Fingering Chart - Page 2



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