Does anyone know where to get bamboo to try making flutes?
I recently played a Chris Dawson flute and thought it was really great.
I have an idea to give it a go, may not happen but thought I’d ask the question.
I’ve not done any cane flutes in years. I can understand the attraction. The cane Olwells I have owned were truly wonderful instruments. I only know of one commercial supplier but they sell here in the USA. There are likely others I do not know about.
http://www.one-world-trading.com/flutes_BansuriBamboos.shtml
Otherwise, makers I’ve talked to go out into the wilds to cut and then season and harden their own material. Arundinaria Gigantea is a species some use over here - also known as river cane.
There are some bansuri forums out there too. You might ask on one of those. Bamboo specialists are all over the place. They can be fun to chat with. There are a couple near me but they are not thinking about flutes just cultivating the bamboo. But I am sure if you look around a bit you might find a grower that has some cut stock that is usable.
Feadoggie
A local garden centre supplied me. They had some big (10ft+) “structural” plants for sale with some dead stems. The gave me a stem for free as it was dead … it was only going to be pruned out anyway 
Take a fine-toothed saw with you and cut on the node. Heavy-duty secateurs or loppers can crack the cane for some distance, as I found out!
UK Bamboo Supplies Limited
Unit 8,
New Place Park
Framfield
East Sussex
TN22 5RH
Tel - 01825 - 890041
http://www.ukbamboosupplies.com/
https://app.box.com/s/05du3g47xatp35c2krve 1990s recording (Wilkes eight key)
https://app.box.com/s/oh3givl2xfuhe74fnutp (Holmes McNaughton PI eight key)
This is an email an American friend sent me on Sunday about the treatment of bamboo flutes by American border officials:
“This was my life,” said musician Boujemaa Razgui in December, referring to the 13 handmade flutes that he played professionally, “and now they’e gone.” Arriving in New York City from Madrid with the 13 woodwinds in his checked luggage, he was shocked to discover that US Customs had destroyed them without notice because “wood” is a restricted “agricultural” import. Unsophisticated agents had apparently regarded them as mere bamboo. Razgui plays all over the world, including, since 2002, with the Boston Camerata ensemble saged by the city’s Museum of Fine Arts."
Scary, ey?
Best wishes,
Keith.