This last weekend was one I shall never forget. On Saturday evening, at a large party of friends and companions, music lovers...I was able to play my shakuhachi. The only time I have ever played around more than a few pals was at last years Seattle Matsuri and that was with other players. So this was a big deal for me and one that will never be forgotten. After some other bands and groups played their music, mostly rock and pop tunes, the noise levels had to drop considerably due to a ten o clock ordinance in the area I live. The bands before me were awesome and played on this stage pictured. My good friend Patrick is the bassist in this photo.
After they were finished, this gave way to fireplace/firepit styles of performance and playing. Acoustics were great and so I began with some improvisations on honkyoku pieces as I have not yet learned them in their entirety. Nonetheless, I'm decent at improv and can move around the shakuhachi well enough to sound ok. Perhaps not to well accomplished shakhachi players but I thought I did rather well to be honest. In addition to playing I was able to speak a little about the instrument and music that's usually played . Answered some questions and played a bit more. Many of my friends convinced me to give public playing a try. So I did and am happy with the results. Now, to PRACTICE more and get my butt in gear as I have not been progressing well this summer.
There is a good possibility I will be going to San Francisco this November and I would simply LOVE to meet Masayuki Koga and even have a lesson if possible. Will have to do some research into if he does that and perhaps meet up with other players. I have one week but only a few days to spare. So this will be fun to see what shakuhachi related things I can dig up in that beautiful city!
Where can I go to see anything shakuhachi related? Japanese stores,cultural centers and places to enrich my time in SFO. Off to do some research.
