Before long, ALTUS flutes have gained enormous international recognition, and the increased demand enabled Tanaka to return to Japan creating his dream of his own workshop in the midst of the Japanese Alps in Azumino, near Matsumoto in 1990. The first ALTUS flutes were built in Tanaka’s small workshop in Taiwan, which he regularly visited as an adviser to the K.H.S. Tanaka‘s affable collaboration and friendship with the London virtuoso William Bennett led to the invention of the „Bennett-Scale“ giving ALTUS flutes their characteristic precise intonation. His extensive experience as a flute maker and and his enthusiasm for the European flute manufacturing tradition (Böhm, Lot, Hammig etc.) merged in the development of the ALTUS flute. Thoroughly, he investigated all the factors influencing the sound of the instrument, since every cut, file stroke and material combination provoques a change of sound.Īfter having spent five years of training in manufacturing flutes at the Muramatsu company, followed by work in senior positions with Miyazawa and Takumi, he finally created his „own flute“ in 1981, working patiently after hours in focused isolation. As a gifted flautist, Tanaka has developed from early on –during his flute studies with Toshio Takahashi – a genuine interest in the sound qualities and technical aspects of his instrument As a flautist, the construction of the head joint became his first fascination. Altus provides the most unique variety of flute tubing and materials in the world today.Shuichi Tanaka, founder of ALTUS, is one of today’s most amazing flute makers emerging from the Japanese flute manufacturing tradition. By combining old world craftsmanship with modern alloys and tubing construction, an incredible range of flutes can be tailored to the specific needs of any flutist.
The Altus-Bennett scale was carefully designed to provide effortless intonation, impeccably tuned harmonics, and exceptionally balanced registers.Īltus leads the way in providing an unprecedented array of tubing and material choices for the needs of discerning flutists. This was the first Altus flute, built in 1981. Speedy Tanaka and William Bennett shared an admiration for Albert Cooper's vision of updating and modernizing the traditional flute scale, creating the Altus-Bennett scale - a new standard for flute design.
Tanaka designed an innovative modern flute rich in expressive tone colors, with ample capacity for resonance, accurate intonation, and mechanical strength. Artist Series flutes feature handmade silver-plated mechanisms well-known for their hardness, strength and durability without sacrificing exceptional fluidity. With Bennentt's influence and the inspiration of the finest vintage flutes, Mr. The two men had much in common including their respect and admiration for the vintage flutes of Louis Lot. Tanaka met British flutist William Bennett. He is an artist, musician, engineer, businessman, and most notably a master flute maker. Shuichi Tanaka, the founder of Altus flutes is a man of many talents.