Long shot--anyone have info on an "Okraulo"??

Toby

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Mar 5, 2002, 1:15:05 AM3/5/02

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I recently picked up an Okraulo, which is a hybrid between a normal metal
concert flute and a Japanese shakuhachi. It is keyed like a concert flute
(with metal body) but held vertically, and in place of the normal headjoint
is a metal headjoint which ends in a shakuhachi-like blowing edge. The
little info I have is that they were an attempt to allow shak players to
play Western music without having to relearn the embouchure, and were
briefly made in Japan about 70-80 years ago. Any further info or links would
be greatly appreciated. I keep coming up blank on searches.

TIA,

Toby

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Tribal Wind

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Mar 6, 2002, 10:42:24 AM3/6/02

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Wow..very interesting, where did u pick up such an obscure instrument?
i play some skak,but mostly Other types of bamboo flute,, would love to see
a picture of one of these things

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Toby

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Mar 7, 2002, 1:14:30 AM3/7/02

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I'll try to take a couple of pix and upload somewhere accessible. Strangely
enough I found it in a local pawnshop (outside of Tokyo). I knew of its
existence only because I once saw a picture of one in a shakuhachi history
book and have since always wanted to see one in person. I used to regularly
haunt the antique markets and shops in search of interesting instruments but
never came across anything like this. There are several shops in Tokyo with
antique instruments on display but no Okraulo there either. Then the other
day I happened to stroll through this local shop that I haven't been to for
awhile, and tucked back among the porn videos was some flute-like thing
wrapped in plastic bags. I nearly dropped my load when I saw what it was.
They were asking 14800 yen ( a bit more than $100 US) but dropped the 800
yen because it was tarnished.

To be honest it plays a lot more like a flute than a shak, and I am going to
need to repad it as the moths have had a field day with the skin and felt
over the years in the lower pads, but yes, an amazing lucky find. It is in
all but mint condition.

I also play a lot of bamboo flutes--quenas, shinobue, bansuri, etc. One of
my faves is the Ifugao nose flute from the Philippines--nice sound but hard
to do melodies with only three fingerholes and a very limited "embouchure"
:~}

I'll let you know when I upload the pix.

Best,

Toby
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Jean Burgess

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Mar 18, 2002, 10:59:27 PM3/18/02

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Please post the pics URL to the ng when you have them up. Very interesting -
I am so jealous - my little collection of flutes doesn't look so great after
all

--
Jean Burgess

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Cheryl Morrison

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Mar 19, 2002, 10:02:41 AM3/19/02

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"Toby" <zdft...@ggol.com> wrote in message

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Toby

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Mar 22, 2002, 10:03:20 AM3/22/02

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It's in for a (hopeful) repad (non-standard pad cups--hope my tech can
locate some pads). When it comes home I will take some pix and post.

Toby
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