The Shakuhachi flute is a traditional bamboo flute in Japan. It is usually made from the butt(root)end a piece of Japanese Timber Bamboo (P. bambusoides) It is a vertically played flute with four holes in the front and one in the back. According to tradition the shakuhachi was first created in China in the ninth century and transmitted to Japan in the 13th century. It was used by the monks of the Fuke school of Zen Buddhism.

One of my favorite bamboo musical instruments is the didgeridoo. Althought the traditional didgeridoo is made from a hollow piece of wood bamboo is an ideal material. I've made quite a few of these to give away to friends and I've managed to learn to make a decent sound but I can't even come close to the "circular breathing" which is a technique to play continuousley, without a break for breathing! I've put up some instructions here to make your own.