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

Tai Hei Shakuhachi Japanese Bamboo Flutes

Tai Hei Shakuhachi Japanese Bamboo Flutes are made by Monty H. Levenson.

I have several of his flutes and they are quality flutes each and every one. There 2 levels of student flutes and Professional versions.

You can also find shakuhachi accessories, playing guides & book, sheet music, recordings / CDs and flute making craft manuals, books & videos.
http://www.shakuhachi.com/

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/

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.

Michael “Chikuzen” Gould, master Shakuhachi performer and teacher, Profile/Bio

Michael Chikuzen Gould studied the Shakuhachi (Zen Bamboo flute) in Japan for 15 years under renowned masters Mr. Yokoyam Katsuya and Mr. Taniguchi Yoshinobu. He earned the title of Dai-Shihan or Grand Master in 1995. He returned in 1998 to teach at wittenberg University and the University of Michigan. Gould is currently based in Cleveland Heights, Ohio where he teaches privately when he’s not touring. Gould has published several Cds and instructional books for teaching shakuhachi. On his latest Cd he is accompanied by Buddhist Shomyo chanting. He has toured extensively in the U.S. and Japan, and is currently teaming up with Chieko and Kuniyasu Iwazaki for a two week concert tour.
 

 

About Lessons: Chikuzen Studios offers individual shakuhachi lessons and occasionally sponsors workshops and retreats. For details about the types of lessons offered, see:

• Lessons via Webcam
• Private Home Studio Lessons
• Bed & Breakfast Home Intensive Study
• Camps or Retreats

Beginners as well as experienced players are welcome.
Contact Michael Chikuzen Gould to arrange a lesson or get further information.
http://www.chikuzenstudios.com/

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.

New Shakuhachi Forum

There’s a new Shakuhachi forum. It’s called the ESS Shakuhachi Forum. The ESS Shakuhachi Forum is a place to interact with the world shakuhachi community on a variety of shakuhachi topics.

The link to this new forum is http://www.shakuhachiforum.eu/index.php

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The old forum http://shakuhachiforum.com/  is now an archive only site. Posting has been disabled but the archives are available to all.