Videos from 29 September 2012 Phoenix AZ Shakuhachi Friends Concert.

29 September 2012 Phoenix AZ Shakuhachi Friends Concert.

Kaoru Kakizakai playing Sanya at 

Kaoru Kakizakai playing Sagariha 

Kaoru Kakizakai playing Shingetsu (Heart Moon)

Kaoru Kakizakai playing Gekkou Routeki

.

Kaoru Kakizakai Performs Amazing Shakuhachi Concert!

KAORU KAKIZAKAI GAVE A SHAKUHACHI CONCERT  ON 29 SEPTEMBER 2012. IT WAS ORGANIZED BY THE  PHOENIX AZ SHAKUHACHI FRIENDS AND HELD IN CHANDLER.

  Beyond the amazing music, I really enjoyed seeing the faces of the audience. I had set up my video camera and was seated off to the side. From my position, it was easy to see the audience's faces. We had a large number of people who'd never heard the shakuhachi before. There was also about half-dozen shakuhachi players in the crowd. The faces went from almost jaw dropping awe and steady fixed gazes to those that had a child-like  glow to their face.
We had a nice turnout and after the concert, Kakizakai hung out and answered questions.


Kakizakai did get to be a tourist while he was here in the Phoenix area. Barbara showed him around and he even met some of the locals.
If you like the sound of the shakuhachi or are just interested in it please check out our web site http://phoenixazshakuhachi.com/ for more information. We have monthly gatherings where everyone is welcome even if you've never seen a shakuhachi, come on out.

Taiko Experience 2012 with Fushicho Daiko Dojo at Japanese Friendship Garden, Phoenix AZ.

I just saw that the Japanese Friendship Garden (in Phoenix AZ) on March 24, 2012 has an event "Taiko Experience 2012" with Fushicho Daiko Dojo (including the opportunity to learn taiko with special ticket purchase).
You can check out their web site at http://www.japanesefriendshipgarden.org

Shakuhachi Fingering Charts

Here are a number of wonderful fingering charts.

 

Tozan Fingering Chart by John Kaizan Neptune : Left part / Right part / Entire

Kinko Fingering Chart from Shakuhachi Society of B.C. : Left part / Right part / Entire

Kinko Fingering Chart from Japan World Music : Entire

Tozan and Kinko (old & new) Fingering Chart : Left / Center / Right

Very simplified chart (only ロツレチリ), can be useful for initiation workshops : Entire

From a posting in the ESS Shakuhachi Forum, http://www.shakuhachiforum.eu

 

Also Check out the Phoenix AZ Shakuhachi Friends web site at http://phoenixazshakuhachi.com/

 

 

Good Looking On-line Metronome

I’ve been trying to build my tempo/rhythm skills. So I thought about going old school and getting a metronome. Then I came across this on line one that looks and works just like a real one.

I’ve tried digital ones but it helps me to have the visual of the the swinging arm.

This site has a few other links and things but big and in the center of the screen is a real looking metronome. There’s buttons down the right side to let you choose speeds from 40 BPM to 200!


If you’d like to try them out here’s their link: http://simple.bestmetronome.com/

Also don’t forget to check out our Shakuhachi group web site at http://phoenixazshakuhachi.com/

Videos from 2012 Phoenix Matsuri Festival.

Kokin Gumi & Friends (Jim Thompson on Shakuhachi) performing at the 2012 Phoenix Matsui festival. Our group met up there to here the performance. Also the Matsuri festival is very cool stuff overall.

Don't forget to check out our web site at http://phoenixazshakuhachi.com/ .

 

Had our February shakuhachi gathering, playing, instruction and party.

We had our February 4th Shakuhachi Gathering at my home in stead of our normal Scottsdale location. We basically had our normal agenda of mentoring and instruction but then we also had a party.

I live up in Cave Creek with an amazing few of mountains from our front porch. The space we used for the instruction was big enough for us to play flute without any issues. The room has great acoustics.  Steve and Howard, two new members to our group joined us. We had 6 players attend our gathering and it felt like everyone had a great time.

We also had some time for those who wanted to show off a bit and play for each other. Howard who normally plays the native American flute did a few songs for us.

My wife Bina made us some food for our party. Yummy stuff!

Go see Kokin Gumi & Friends at the 2012 Japanese Matsuri Festival

The The 28th Annual Matsuri Festival of Japan is on February 25-26. Featuring exhibits, demonstrations, arts and crafts, children's activities, bonsai displays, Japanese food, and 3 stages of live entertainment.

One of the performances if by a group called Kokin Gumi & Friends. Music with Traditional Japanese Instruments including Shakuhachi. Their performance is at 3:30 on the Plaza stage, lets all meet up there and see their performance.

There is so much more to see and do all day. check our there web site at http://azmatsuri.org.... Also it's FREE! You can also check out Mark Zemnick's site for photos from last year. http://markzemnick.co... . Again so much cool stuff to see. I'll be there most of the day and hope to see you at the Kokin Gumi performance.

The International Shakuhachi Society Info

 The International Shakuhachi Society is a world forum for people interested in the Japanese bamboo flute. It enables players, teachers, composers, ethnomusicologists and hobbyists to share information with a wide and sympathetic audience. On average they have over one hundred full time members.

Check out there web site at: http://komuso.com/top/index.pl

 The site contains special features and tools for members to track their collections, create Bio Pages, and list Events. We are working towards allowing members to contribute to many portions of the site.

The society focuses on the following topics:

The history of the Japanese musical instruments shakuhachi, koto, and shamisen.
The history of the Komuso monks.
The history of music compositions: Zen music, classical chamber music, modern music.
The notation and playing techniques of the various schools.
Information about musicians and recordings.

Are you looking to meet other players in your area, access additional content, or contribute to the site? Then consider becoming a member. Dues keep the site alive and growing.
This site is a catalog of historical information, not a store. To purchase a shakuhachi or recordings, or find information about current musical events please visit our Sites & Events tab. We cannot advise you on where to find copies of recordings or sheet music since we don't know either. Unfortunately most are out of print. Your best bets are Shakuhachi.com - Meijiro.
For an ongoing discussion of shakuhachi related topics check out the Shakuhachi Forum.
The information at this site has been compiled from various texts and contributions of our members. We have done our best to keep the information accurate but there are probably many errors and omissions, both historical and philosophical. With our member's help this site will constantly improve in quantity and quality.

Our Next Meeting Saturday 4 February!

Our next meeting that will be on Saturday the 4th of February should be a lot of fun!

Reminder, we'll be having it at my home not at the SNAP location. Also after we get done with out flute playing and instruction we'll be having our first group party.  So even if you can't make the 10:00 AM start of the instruction please come to the party at noon.

Since it will be a party, music is always welcome. If you've got an instrument you enjoy playing, any instrument at all, bring it along and lets have some fun. Maybe we can try some improvisation between the shakuhachi and other instruments.

Two weekends ago I went to Boyce Thompson Arboritium for a class to make a didgeridoo. It came out realy well and others are welcome to try it out.

Hope to see a lot of you there and of course bring a guest if you'd like. The more the merrier.

Shakuhachi: Kominato Akihisa and the Music of the Universe

Kominato Akihisa is a young virtuoso on the shakuhachi, a Japanese bamboo flute. In the hands of a virtuoso like Kominato, the shakuhachi can express a wide range of emotions, almost like a human voice in song. By bringing a spirit of innovation to the rich traditions of this historical Japanese instrument, Kominato has delighted audiences around the world. In this video, Kominato introduces the history and diversity of the shakuhachi, and performs a special piece accompanied by piano.

Our Next Meeting is January 7th at 10:00 AM

Hello All,

Our next gathering of the Phoenix AZ Shakuhachi Friends will be this Saturday the 7th from10:00 AM to about noon.

Come one, come all and check it out. As always we'll be at SNAP Scottsdale neighborhood arts place.

December’s Gathering Updates

We had our Monthly gathering of the Phoenix AZ Shakuhachi Friends this Saturday, December 3rd at the Scottsdale Neighborhood Arts Place.

There was just a couple of us there this month but we still had a wonderful time. We started working on a new group piece called Hamachidori which translates into English as Song of the Seashore Bird (Plover).

Hamachidori
(Beach Plovers)
Year: 1919
This piece was composed for Shakuhachi by Hirota Rutaro

The words:
On the beach beneath a blue moon night,
birds cry out, searching for their parents.
They emerge from the land of waves.
Their wet wings the color silver.

Such grief from these birds, crying in the dark.
Crossing the sea, seeking their parents.
They disappear into the land of night.
Young beach plovers with silver wings.

Shakuhachi Workshop

The Phoenix AZ Shakuhachi Friends has the great honor of Internationally recognized shakuhachi master and scholar David Wheeler (Kansuke II) providing an all day Shakuhachi workshop.

David will present a basics workshop for everyone, a couple of level-specific mini-classes, and even private lessons.

Saturday December 10th at 7:00 PM at the Scottsdale Neighborhood Arts Place
4425 North Granite Reef Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85251

Specific start and finish times will be posted shortly. If you’d like to attend please let me know so I can insure we’ve got handouts for you.

Bamboo Dreams An Evening with the Shakuhachi Japan's Bamboo Flute Transcends Time and Space

> The Shakuhachi is Japan's traditional vertical bamboo flute with five finger holes. It is an ancient instrument, yet due to its versatility, it has a uniquely contemporary appeal with a broad-ranging repertoire that transcends the constricts of time and space.

> Internationally recognized shakuhachi master and scholar David Wheeler (Kansuke II) will be presenting a concert of solo pieces, introducing and performing works of secular and spiritual music spanning 400 years from the classics of the 18th and 19th centuries to modern works of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Saturday December 10th at 7:00 PM at the Scottsdale Neighborhood Arts Place
4425 North Granite Reef Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
Sponsored By the Phoenix AZ Shakuhachi Friends http://phoenixazshakuhachi.blogspot.com/

Shakuhachi glossary 101

Here’s some basic 101 shakuhachi glossary terms. More to come!

• Atari To strike a finger hole
• Furi A rapid meri/kari head dip.
• Kan Upper register
• Kari Blow by putting the chin up, to raise the tone
• Komi Buki Big breath, the pulsing characteristic of playing.
• Meri Blow by putting the chin down, to lower the pitch.
• Muraiki Blowing so as to create a windy, roaring, effect
• Nayashi To begin pitch meri and rise to standard pitch
• Otsu Low register
  Suri Glissando
• Suri age A slide upwards
• Tsuyutoshi Cloth for wiping the bore
• Utaguchi The sharp blowing edge of the shakuhahi
• Yuri Vibrato

Ipad Zen Brush Shakuhachi Notation Images

Hello All,

I’ve been working with a program on my ipad called Zen Brush. Very cool program and I created these shakuhachi notation characters with it. Little by little I plan on doing a whole set of Kinko notation characters.  More to come…….

 

 

    

 

 

About our August Shakuhachi Gathering

Along with the 2 people from our Meetup group there were also 3 others who were going to attend and several  maybes. We ended up with 4 players and had a great time. We used the Honkyoku piece Choshi to talk about reading notation, fingering and styles/schools of shakuhachi playing. We also talked about types of shakuhachi flutes. My wife even made us a Asian noodle salad for lunch. Great time!

Our next gathering will be on the 24th of September. Hoping to see a few more new faces!

The Core Spirit of Shakuhachi

by Yoshinobu Taniguchi

The spiritual core of shakuhachi manifests itself in what I will call the yureru oto, [Translator’s note: a dynamic fluctuation of the tone] which also mirrors the essence of Zen. Nowadays, most sects of shakuhachi – Tozan, Kinko and current Meian, among others – have forgotten this exquisite yureru oto, which exists in the space between the notes and is what compromises the soulful sound of the shakuhachi.

One must not attempt to play the notes of a shakuhachi song “accurately” or “skillfully”. Playing only the precise pitches prescribed by the notes on the score leads to boring, soulless playing that neither expresses the spirit of the music nor the heart of the player.

Instead, the traditional lifeblood of the shakuhachi is to let each note vary subtly within its permissible scope. This expresses the soul of wabi, sabi, and ma, and leads to the yureru oto. [Translator’s note: wabi can be thought of as an austere, refined beauty, sabi as a solitariness combined with age and tranquility, and ma as timing, or the delicate interval or emptiness which exists between the sounds.] Playing only the average pitches will extinguish these elements, and the soulful sound of the shakuhachi will be lost.

Expressing the sounds that exist between the notes is also the traditional lifeblood of the shakuhachi, and is what helps give rise to the yureru oto’s exquisite reverberations.

It takes a long time and much effort to develop these qualities in one’s playing. During this time, trial, error, and original experimentation are key to success. Five or ten years may pass yielding little progress but much frustration and confusion. At the point your heart and soul become free, however, satori, or “enlightenment”, is experienced, and you think “Ah! It was so simple all along!” At this moment, that which was hidden becomes obvious, and that which was difficult becomes easy. The player and the sound become one, resulting in a deep, profound sound that resonates in the spinal column and touches one’s soul.

Every sound of the shakuhachi can be expressed in a multitude of ways depending on the brilliance of the player’s soul. Thus, all life is study, and this study is dynamic and alive. Your experience of the shakuhachi’s sound never stops evolving.

New Shakuhachi (Japanese Bamboo Flute) Hobby Web Site

Charles Koeppen who setup the Facebook group called Shakuhachi (Japanese Bamboo Flute) Hobby Group now has a new web site called Shakuhachi (Japanese Bamboo Flute) Hobby Pages. The link to his new site is http://shakuhachi.atspace.cc/
His site is well organized and has a lot of good information. It’s worth checking out.