~Instruments for Ritual

Name: Maui Xaphoon

Description: Bamboo Saxophone

Cost: About $45 US

From: http://www.larkinam.com

This is a remarkable instrument in so far as it brings a good quality reed instrument into the price range of the "not so wealthy". It sounds great even though it is cheap being rich and sonorous in tone. I have an expensive soprano sax that I use on stage but have taken to using the Xaphoon instead as it is more fun.

It is a two-octave instrument but beginners will have problems with tuning in the upper octave. It comes with a good instruction set so I'll not repeat it here. Just to say that if you are having problems with it just put more in your mouth. You need a goodly quantity in your mouth to make it work. (OK... you can stop the sniggering in the cheap seats)

It is made from bamboo taken sustainably from the rain forests of East Maui. The length is just over 13 inch's and it weighs practically nothing. The tone is so rich and full that it comes as a shock when you first sound it but you soon get used to such a small instrument sounding so good. However the finger stretch takes a bit of getting used to and if you have tiny hands this could be a problem.

For ritual use you do not need to use many notes but rather pick a couple and play them as drones. (Long held notes) After a time this can become quite trance like, as the sound seems to call directly to the Spirit. It mixes well with drumming, rattles and shakers.

This is a quote from the instructions. "Please take it everywhere. Play to your brothers and sisters in the street in the spirit of melodic bliss. Play in the dark. Seek those special places of magic sound - caves, subways, stairwells, canyons, mountaintops and alleyways. Frighten the demons. Summon Angels. Greet those beings who cannot speak your language. Make a duplicate and give it to your best friend."

In my opinion it is an instrument that deserves to be purchased and used.

~Dave the flute~