432Hz Theory and Shakuhachi

There’s a pervasive New Age theory which claims that the 432Hz sound wave is superior to any other sound. Let's look at this in the context of nature in the form of bamboo shakuhachi. Like the Japanese craftspeople of the Edo period, I craft one-piece jinashi and jimori shakuhachi (see, Jinashi and Jimori vs. Jiari). This means that nature in the form of bamboo decides much of the Hz/pitch for the root note RO, to which all the finger holes are tuned to match ('in tune with itself'). Sometimes this might result in a shakuhachi in which A4 = 432Hz, or 438, or 440, and so on. In this way, nature in its infinite variety provides something for everyone; a flavor to please every palate.

For example, my antique Edo period shakuhachi from the 1700's is in tune when A4 = 438 Hz (pictured below). If we open up our minds and embrace nature’s variety there’s literally everything to gain. With that said, if someone prefers 432 to 440, which is fine, they often simply just like deeper sounds. In which case, I recommend a deeper pitched, longer shakuhachi. I encourage people to embrace this variety from nature.