Clarification,
For a nice sound, the tongue behind the lower lip is very important. Otherwise, you will have problems to play the two octaves and more.
I’m trying to make one out of PVC but it’s very difficult to make a sound. Can someone explain how to make the notch? I’m not sure how wide and how deep and if I should bevel it.
Google is your friend.
That was really helpful. Thank you.
A Cunparis,
Moi aussi, j’ai commencé avec des tubes en PVC. Pour que ça fonctionne bien, tu dois prendre un tube d’une épaisseur de 1 mm, ensuite l’encoche doit être en demi-cercle avec une profondeur de 10 mm (quelque soit la largeur). Pas besoin de biseau, un léger ponçage sur les bords de l’encoche et c’est tout. Comme je le disais plus haut dans les messages, c’est la manière de souffler qui importe le plus.
Pour avoir plus de puissance, l’énergie du souffle ne doit pas être absorbé par le corps de la flute, c’est pourquoi je suis passé à l’aluminium d’une épaisseur de 2 mm.
[Translation: I also began with PVC tubes. For that to work well, start with a tube of 1 mm thickness. Then the notch should be semi-circular with a depth of 10 mm (whatever the width). No need for beveling. Lightly sand the edges of the notch, and that’s it. As I said to you in my above post, the blowing technique is what matters the most. For more power, the energy of the breath must not be absorbed by the body of the flute. That is why I switched to 2 mm aluminum tubing. - MTGuru]
… (whatever the width) 
I measured one at 11mm wide and 10 mm long. The depth was 10 mm and the width was 11mm. Hope this helps.
Did not know that. Thanks for the tip. I wonder if this applies to shak and rim blown. I am going to try it. I always pushed my tongue to create an initial seal. Do you leave the tongue in this position?
I play Shakuhachi and I would say not. For me most of the work is in the tension and shape of the lips. With my tongue I work on getting the rear of it out of the way to create a more resonant mouth/air chamber (what my teacher taught me…). But try it and see what happens. I believe Eric says on his site that the technique is more transverse flute-like…but try it and tell what happens…
I am going to try it on a quena style, a rim blown and a shak. I have a tendency to agree with you about the shak.
Thanks for your input.
This is the question of a total ignoramus - what is the difference? I ask because I’d love to learn to play shakuhachi just from the expressive sound of it.
Yes, of course, my mistake. Thank you! Corrected.
Are you serioulsy calling me names? I hope not.
I don’t see a question mark in my post other than this one.
Oh, 
You are calling yourself names. You shouldn’t do that. The shak is very difficult for me. Im’ not good at it. The quena is notch or v. the rim blown is just that a rim. a shak as a specific mouth end. Google how to make. There is a guy in California http://www.navaching.com/shaku/shakuindex.html with all you ever want to know about a shak. Learning how to play is a different story. Hard as it can be. I would venture a guess that you really need a teacher for shak.
Sorry if I got the wrong message.
New video to show that the transition to the octave is not difficult :
Just want to say that from the clips it sounds way more interesting than any low whistle.
If there is a European tour please count me in. I’m based in Glasgow.
I’ve never played a rim blown type flute.
Nothing new? Looking forward to more thoughts/feelings on the Open Whistle…
I thank “Skyspirit” for the comment but since I do not know who has the instruments, and where they are ?
Question to “Retired” (organizer of the Open Whistle Tour )
Is it possible to have more regular updates?
Thanks.
Hasn’t gotten to me yet
Pat Plunkett
I was just tracking them down yesterday - Oleorezonator is going to send them to Tommy today, and then they’re off to Plunk 111.