What should I look for when buying a student or professional bansuri?

A student bansuri and a professional bansuri differ in the bamboo and in how finely the holes are tuned; the key is a separate choice. Makers cut a concert bansuri from dense, even-walled bamboo, seasoned so the tube holds its pitch, and tune each hole against a reference note. Lower keys need longer flutes: a G-natural bansuri in the Horniman Museum's collection is 650 mm long. Ask your teacher which key suits your hands.

KalaSudha sells student bansuris and concert-grade flutes from established makers in India. Ours suit the learner on a first raga and the performer playing a full alap. Ask us for a quote, or for a flute made to order.