Concert Indian Bansuri Flute
Concert grade bansuri in every scale, cut and tuned from seasoned bamboo by Sarfuddin in Delhi and in our own workshop. Each flute is checked against a tuner before it ships.
Choosing yours
Concert flutes are longer and more precisely bored than basic instruments, with a fuller tone and a more even response across the range. They are the flutes for serious Hindustani practice.
Scale decides everything else. Bass flutes in A, G and F have wide finger spacing and give the deep meditative voice associated with classical performance. Medium flutes in C, D and E are reachable for most hands and are where most players build technique.
Seven finger holes is standard for Hindustani classical, since the seventh extends the lower range. Six hole flutes suit folk playing. We can supply either.
Length tells you more than the scale name. A 30 inch bass and a 14 inch medium are entirely different instruments to hold, quite apart from how they sound.
Care and climate
Bamboo splits in dry heat. Keep the flute away from radiators, heating vents and direct sun, which is where nearly all damage comes from.
Oil the bore two or three times a year if your air is dry, with almond or mustard oil on a cloth pulled through. Let the flute dry after playing rather than putting it straight into a closed bag.
Hairline cracks can often be bound and saved if caught early. A flute split along its length is finished.
Questions we get asked
What makes a flute concert grade?
More precise boring, better seasoned bamboo and a more even response across the range. The difference is most obvious in the lower octave and in how the flute behaves at volume.
Which scale for Hindustani classical?
Bass flutes in A, G or F are the classical concert scales. They demand a wide finger stretch, so many players build technique on a medium E or C first.
Six or seven holes?
Seven for Hindustani classical, where the seventh hole extends the lower range. Six for folk playing. Both are available on request.