Hello and Thankyou!

[Paleoaleo]

As a budding flutemaker, it was fantastic to find Bamboocraft and even better finding this forum. I run an on line discussion forum called PaleoPlanet (http://p081.ezboard.com/bpaleoplanet69529) (which is a gathering of people from around the globe who share an interest in prehistoric technologies and skills).

Many of us are using bamboo for various things (the bowmakers use it for bows and for their arrows, the atlatlists use it for making their flexible spears, the music makers use it for flutes, and other things, the container freaks for making containers to keep tools, earth pigments, etc.

We recently started a musical instrument forum and while it is a small group, we have fairly lively discussion. Lately, the primary focus of discussion has been bamboo flutes, the different properties of various subpecies. It was during a search about bamboo and its cousin, Arundo donax, that I stumbled upon Bambooforums. I immediately rushed "home" to PaleoPlanet to provide a link to my music making friends there.

Sorry for the long, drawn out intro! I have a couple of questions and some photos (if I can figure out how to post them):

Does anyone have experience with Black Bamboo (sorry, I don't know the species name) for flutes? I recently acquired my first batch, and had bad experiences with it cracking.
Edit ... Reply in this thread: Black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) for making flutes? (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2403)

Also, are any of you using Arundo donax for flutes? It is an introduced pest here in S. California, and it is very abundant. I find that it makes excellent flutes, but hear from others that they do not like it very much. So I'm on a mission to find other Arundo flute makers so I can compare notes!
Edit ... Reply in this thread: Arundo donax for making flutes? (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2404)

Thanks for putting up with my longwinded intro, etc.

Here's a "River-Cane" N. American style flute that was made by my friend Lenny. It has a stunningly beautiful sound:

http://photos.imageevent.com/paleoaleo/usefulplantsofcalifornia/websize/Rivercane%20flute.jpg

Here's two Arundo donax flute blanks:

http://photos.imageevent.com/paleoaleo/usefulplantsofcalifornia/websize/Flute%20stock%201.jpg

One bamboo (top) and one Rivercane flute:

http://photos.imageevent.com/paleoaleo/miscimagesforinternet/websize/New%20Flutes%20march%202006%20001.jpg

Here's some of my early flutes made from Elderberry (sorry, not bamboo!):

http://photos.imageevent.com/paleoaleo/usefulplantsofcalifornia/websize/Imgp1734.jpg

And finally, a bunch of different things I've made in rough replication of various prehistoric artifacts - among them an Arundo transverse flute and a bamboo container for holding my bone needles:

http://photos.imageevent.com/paleoaleo/miscimagesforinternet/websize/Group%201.jpg


Tom
California, USA

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Tom,
Thanks for writing!
Bamboo has played such a vital role in areas where it has been plentiful that it has been suggested that there should be a separate 'Bamboo Age' as the uses bamboo obfuscated the need in some places to develop bronze and iron technologies.

FYI we're a pretty laid back site here, though with a high readership, so allow your questions some time and they will be answered.

Cheers,
Mark

[Paleoaleo]

Thanks Mark! I look forward to hearing from others and learning from those here on the forum. Thank you for the welcome as well!

Tom