how to play shakuhachi

The first in a series of free instructional videos for shakuhachi Japanese bamboo flute by Jon Kypros of flutedojo.com

This video covers the basics but also has some finer points on posture and shakuhachi specific embouchure that experienced players may find useful. For more on correcting poor posture visit Esther Gokhale's website https://egwellness.com/

Category:

Music

Tags:

• instruction
• instructional
• shakuhachi
• flute
• japan
• japanese
• instrument
• bamboo
• jinashi
• jon
• kypros
• play
• embouchure
• breath
• breathing
• posture

[DrVoltage1]

I just can't seem to get a correct sound with this instrument. I'm a drummer so this is my first wind(ish) type instrument and am a total beginner. My big question is; How much air pressure do you need to create a tone. I understand you don't want to blow all your air at the same time, but do you want a "fierce" wind, or can you have a light wind in order to create the beautiful harmony?

Also Thank you so much for taking the time out to teach us!

[FluteDojo]

@DrVoltage1 Hi! My Dad is an old school drummer from the 60's :) You can create a tone with almost no air pressure in the mouth but it will be a light or soft sound. "Fierce" might be windy? The air stream remains smooth like a pressurized stream of water VS a waterfall. You can play with a wide range of pressure in the mouth. Each note and each flute responds to different levels of pressure, there's a max and a minimum. I've run out of character space, feel free to email me!

[azraelllll]

2 years ago, I tried to play shakuachi at least ten times during the Japanese musical class, and I couldn't get a sound out of it !

[peyruckus]

Thank you so much! This has helped me to make my first (good) sound with this beautiful instrument. Though it is tedious, I am hopeful. :)

[thaflinger]

Jon, thanks so much for making this video. It seems there are very few free shakuhachi resources for English speakers. I just got my first shakuhachi a few days ago. Right now I'm learning mostly through experimentation. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's also nice to benefit from the experience of more seasoned players. Please keep it up!

[chickenbento]

Very nice. 分りやすい説明だった。I've subscribed and I'm looking forward to the next in your series of videos. By the way, where did you begin to study?

[FightDBZ]

Really good tutorial, can't wait for the rest.. I have a side blown Shakuhachi actually, so it's a little different, but this is still very helpful, Thanks!