Since the last post on this blog, my shakuhachi practice has slowed due to so many things. Then I realized how often I have typed that same whine over the last few years.
Why?
Seriously, why is it so hard to practice and keep up with this beautiful instrument and play more? Well, as an extrovert with distractions and shiny things easily overtaking me, there is no wonder why I cannot progress!! Discipline!!! That is what I need most of all. How do I maintain that?For two years, between 2014 and 2016, I kept a daily log/journal of my practice times, what I played, songs, etc. And I was pretty good about that, sometimes skipping a day or two. But I never seemed to really progress past the same three or four songs and daily Ro or Tsu exercises. Granted those are very valuable and necessary. My budget isn't able to afford lessons again so I'm still on my own. If I could just keep from being distracted. The shakuhachi is a part of me. A bit of my soul, my mind and heart. And whether in simply meditative play, or learning piece of honkyoku... it is not something that will be disappearing from my life. Being part of the shakuhachi community is also huge for me, though as of late I have not been delving into that, things being a bit of a mess in the busy sense. Therefore, something needs to change if I have any hope of progressing. A few possibilities:
Mindset.
Why do I HAVE to learn songs and classic Japanese shakuhachi pieces? Well, I DON'T have to but they are an essential part of the repertoire and really need to be played.
But, that does not mean they are a daily goal. I have toyed with the idea of transcribing classical Western piano pieces into shakuhachi music, though sure, some notes need to be adjusted due to scale.
The photo at left truly calls me. We need to stop and take in our surroundings and be happy. Sometimes that means just blowing Ro or any other note we like, practicing breath control or meditating on the sounds, the connection with the soul, the heart. <3 This....this is what I will try to do. Not push myself so that I get discouraged. Enjoy, relax...play.
Breathe
My focus has always been on trying to learn songs. But there have been MANY teachers, if not all, who focus us on breathing for the first lessons. In fact, a few have had their students do this for the first entire year before learning more. This, I believe, is sound and solid advice. And , definitely good for the player, whether in performance or meditation.
So, like lat time, I will be keeping a diary and journal of my playing, breathing/playing Ro or any other note to lengthen my breath. This admittedly worked well for me last time and I was able to get to a full minute in playing without taking a breath. though in songs, this was not necessary.
Enjoy!
The playing of the shakuhachi means different thing to every player or listener. As a musician of a variety of instruments over the years, none has captivated my like the shakuhachi. And the joy, the feelings and soul that it brings me are truly magical! Why make it a drudgery?I'm not going to be some professional performer, nor even a busker on the corner. Though I admit the latter sounds fun if i get good enough. But, "getting good enough" is what i need to discount and not concentrate on. Just have fun, enjoy and move on at your own pace!
In final, the new year approaches and again I start with a list of "goals" to accomplish. None of them are absolute and that...makes me happy. Just be. Live. breathe. Enjoy!! <3 <3 <3
