The Maui Xaphoon
Each individual MAUI XAPHOON is handmade by Xaphoon inventor Brian Lee Wittman in his small workshop in Hawaii. The bamboo for the instruments is directly cut on the island of Maui from one of the fast-growing bamboo forests, stored and later processed into the Xaphoons.
Due to its natural bamboo material, the MAUI XAPHOON is more individual compared to the STANDARD XAPHOON. This means that while the key is of course the same, the tones are somewhat different. For example, sometimes they tend more in the direction of the clarinet and sometimes more in the direction of the saxophone. The sound is more natural, perhaps also somewhat warmer than the Standard XAPHOON.
Lowest sound c'
key of F
two octaves
chromatic
a' 440 Hz
tenor saxophone reed overblows the clarinet, first overtone occurring at the twelfth
Maui Xaphoon -C-
The MAUI XAPHOON C is the original Xaphoon.
For a long time, it was the only type of Xaphoon that was manufactured and is the first patented instrument of this sort.
Above all, I recommend the C XAPHOON for the interplay with string and keyboard instruments, C or F flute. The C instruments are somewhat shorter than the B Xaphoons, which is an advantage for smaller hands. The MAUI XAPHOON C can be learned well starting at about six years old including alone. On this instrument, the pitches of C, F, and Bb major as well as a, d and g minor are the easiest to play.
Lowest sound b'
key of E flat
two octaves
chromatic
a' 440 Hz
tenor saxophone reed overblows the clarinet immediately in the duodecimo
Maui Xaphoon -B-
I recommend the Bb-XAPHOON especially for playing in ensemble with other “Bb instruments” such as most reed or brass instruments. Many jazz pieces are written in Bb keys. The following keys are easiest to play on this instrument: Bb/Eb/ Ab major and G/C/A minor.
The Bb XAPHOON starts a whole tone lower than the C instrument and the tone is even more sonorous and full.
Click here for the sounds of the Xaphoon and learn from the scale of the xaphoon.