Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

pagacks wrote:

I often read about undercut. I assume it applies to holes. What is it exactly? How is it done, with what tool? How shallow or deep or to what degree? On which holes? What is the effect or the objective for it?

Undercutting is widening the area underneath the hole. It is, essentially, making the hole bigger. It can be done with files, sandpaper wrapped around a dowel or by using dremel bits and drills. It can give the tone more volume and presence as well as more fluid playability. It can give the second register better articulation. It also raises the pitch. How much to undercut depends on the voice of the flute, the width of the bore, the tone color and pitch desired and probably many other things.

More about undercutting here.

KL

Interesting subject, I undercut or bevel the inside of the hole, it makes a lot of difference to the volume and smoothness of the note. It shortens the depth of the hole and this has an effect on 'turbulence' in the bore. I use a fipple file initially then smooth the bevel with fine files and sandpaper 1200 grit. I use this bevel to help balance each hole with the rest of the holes so that they all have similar timbre and volume. I also undercul to assist in tuning each hole. Undercutting on the upper side will raise the pitch.

Kel.