Learn to play the Shakuhachi
In this course, you will learn to play Shakuhachi. We will start with an introduction to the flute and explain how the instrument is put together and played. You will learn first to get a sound out of the flute and then how to place the fingers on the flute.
Once a sound is created, we will learn the name of the notes and how to write them as well as read them.
We will then learn to play each of the five basic notes with the fingering and then create melodies with just a few notes.
Once you can play the 5 notes, we will move to the higher register. Higher register notes are harder to play. Make sure you don’t overblow and just tighten the embouchure only not the whole jaw and mouth. Put pressure on the lips as if you are trying not to let any air come out until a tiny opening opens up. It will take some time, so don’t rush through the course, go slowly and go back a step back if need be until you get the notes. It won’t be perfect of course, but you should be able to slowly have your embouchure stronger and the muscles will get more attuned and able to give you the opening you want.
Feel free to email me if you are having a hard time at one point and need extra help or pointers.
You will learn to do some simple exercises and play melodies.
After playing melodies on both register and the five basic notes, we will learn how to bend a note and lower it by a half step. This will be followed by some exercises. Once this is mastered, we will go deeper and learn different techniques such as vibrato and lowering notes by a full tone.
We will put stress on playing each note clearly and strongly and listen to your own playing more carefully. You will learn some techniques on how to better your sound and get rid of common bad habits. You will learn to play in tune and be able to play melodies of different styles with more confidence.
Introduction to Honkyoku (meditation music) and the basics of it. This will give you a better understanding of a new concept that we will introduce which is ” Ma” or space. Ma is used especially in Honkoyku playing.
Ma is basically a space between two notes. It is not rhythmical but it is something that you feel within a musical phrase, it can be slightly longer or shorter depending on the melody
We will focus on writing and reading Japanese Shakuhachi notation in comparison with Western notation.
We will progressively learn to play more complicated songs. This will lead you to the different courses we have for you.
We are in the process of creating more lessons for beginners and intermediate and advanced
We have some flutes available for purchase should you be in need of one go to our page at Taikoza (dot com)to purchase a flute, there will be a photo of them with a price list
Lesson 1
Discover the Shakuhachi.
This is for those who have tried to play it before and who have difficulty getting consistent sound.
It is also for the students who have just gotten a flute and want to try to play the Shakuhachi. You can go to lesson 11 and practice long tones as well to strengthen those muscles.
Lesson 2: Learn to play Ri, Chi and Re
Students will learn to play some basic notes.
Lesson 3: Learn to play the five basic notes and play a song
Learning the Japanese notation will help you play and read Shakuhachi music.
Learn simple melodies playing the basic notes. If having difficulty playing one melody line in one breath, you can at first take several breaths, just try to stay and keep the tempo.
Lesson 4: Play Tako Tako Agare
Learning the Japanese notation will help you play and read Shakuhachi music. Learn a folk song: Tako Tako Agare ( Flying a kite).
This course will help you gradually play more intricate songs. Make sure to read the document on how to create sounds and the importance of the jaw.
Make sure to study each song thoroughly before moving on to the next song. Notes should become easier to play, a strained note with cramped lips. Make sure each note can be played with relaxed lips. No stranded notes or abrupt changes from one note to the other should occur. Make sure to correct that before moving on. Virtually the Higher notes should not be more difficult to play than a Re. If you have difficulty playing certain notes - start again from the notes you feel comfortable playing and slowly go half step or one step up or down and make sure each time the notes is not cramped or feel it is played with very different tone quality. Patience, time and intelligent practice will lead you to a strong base and playing.
NOTE on Shakuhachi score:
the horizontal short lines ( - ) after a note are breath marks ( where you can take a breath). At first as you run out of breath you can take more breaths in between).
Lesson 5: Learn to play Haru No Kouta
Let's learn a song that is a little. more intricate: Haru no Kouta simpler version. Amn original song by Marco Lienhard NOTE on Shakuhachi score:
the horizontal short lines ( - ) after a note are breath marks ( where you can take a breath). At first as you run out of breath you can take more breaths in between).
Lesson 6: Learn to play Edo no Komoriuta
You will be able to play another folk song, this is a lullaby from Edo ( the old Tokyo).
Note on higher RO or notes. Make sure you revise the previous lessons. The Higher notes are achieved by putting more tension on the lips (do not tense up your whole face- mouth should have a space inside the mouth, shoulders relaxed) I imagine the breath is starting inside the mouth and not from the end of your lips).
From the first notes we played, the Chi, to play the Higher RO, you will need to put some more tension on your lips and thin them out so that the embouchure ( the size of the hole from where the air comes out becomes smaller).
To play lower notes from CHI, you have to do the opposite the lips will slightly relax and the opening will ever so slightly open up.
NOTE on Shakuhachi score:
the horizontal short lines ( - ) after a note are breath marks ( where you can take a breath). At first as you run out of breath you can take more breaths in between).
Lesson 7: Children Song and Chu Meri
Another original Song from Marco Lienhard. It is inspired from a Japanese Children's song.
When you play melodies, you might need to take extra breaths
NOTE on Shakuhachi score:
the horizontal short lines ( - ) after a note are breath marks ( where you can take a breath). At first as you run out of breath you can take more breaths in between).
Lesson 8: Taking care of the flute
Let's talk about how to care for your flute and make sure you know how to clean it and keep it from cracking if it is made out of bamboo. We will have another lesson about repairing a cracked flute.
Lesson 9: Urashima Taro and learning to play different registers
You will be able to play a more complicated song and play new notes. Also, try out octave and play between high and low register.
Breaths can be taken when necessary at first, but little by little try to take a breath after musical phrase and not in the middle of a passage - naturally if you were to sing the song you would take breaths after a musical phrase as well.
NOTE on Shakuhachi score:
the horizontal short lines ( - ) after a note are breath marks ( where you can take a breath). At first as you run out of breath you can take more breaths in between).
Lesson 10: Learn to read notations used in Shakuhachi music
This is a lesson to help you read and also write Japanese Shakuhachi notation.
This is very important to be able to read traditional music and if you want to compose important to learn how to write it as well.
Japanese has a very specific order of writing the letters and characters.
This is a 5-minute practice to play the Long tone and note RO.
This is to strengthen your lip muscles. It will allow more easily to play the other notes. The higher and lower register will be easier to play. You need to work those muscles to be able to control the notes more easily.
The practice of basic notes. Try to play the lower and then the Higher register as well. Notice how the lips embouchure opening needs to get smaller as you play the higher notes.
Some instructions on how to repair a bamboo flute- it can be any bamboo flute by the way. It might take some practice to do it but it isa great fix for your prized flutes.
Thesis fue repair for the Shakuhachi it is the same, it will be easier as its a larger instrument, so use slightly thicker. nylon fishing line and make the ties a little wider.
Related Courses
