G'day Ella,

The problem in talking about Chinese bamboo flutes is that they cover a huge territory - literally and metaphorically. It is dangerous to generalise. The ones that I bought (mainly in the '70s and '80s) were made as working instruments and were not tourist trade souvenirs ... but many instruments that turn in the West were.

They often look quite decorative, but have not been made carefully to either a local tradition or Western standard tunings. On the other hand, some instruments that turn up cheaply may be of virtuoso standard in their own tradition - but only suit that style and music. You just don't know until you try the instrument in question.

Alison: I'd love to see the pix when you get your hands on a digital camera (or scan in a couple of paper prints). Given enough time I might even get out to the wild western suburbs and see them in the bamboo.

Regards,

Bob Bolton