Belonging and the shakuhachi...

                          Back in the late 2000's when I was more formally introduced to the shakuhachi, there were not many resources for study where I lived nor much on the internet as yet. So after finding a teacher in Larry Tyrrell, I searched for any organizations or clubs, groups that might help me to progress. Not much was out there till I found the International Shakuhachi Society as well as the now defunct Shakuhachi BBQ forum. Eventually Facebook and various other groups and forums started to appear for me and I happily joined all I could! Fast forward to my first shakuhachi matsuri in Seattle where I was able to meet other players in person and attend workshops by Kaoru Kakizakai, Ralph Samuelson and my former teacher, Larry Tyrrell. 

     This was an amazing experience of learning and belonging that would prove a powerful motivation to continued study and embracing of all the aspects of this beautiful world! Most of us want to belong, to be part of something with others who are of the same mind and soul. And while I was a beginner then, and still a beginner now (even after fifteen years playing, I'll always be a beginner) and embrace that joyously! Since that event in Seattle in 2014, my adventure has progressed to an amazing degree. With the shakuhachi world now so much more at our fingertips due to the internet, Facebook, Instagram and tech...it is easier than ever to BELONG!! The various concerts, festivals and online events make it better than ever!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

A new piece and the World Shakuhachi Festival

                  Musical adventures can be so much fun yet sometimes be as frustrating. Last month was just that for me as what was continuing as a delightful path for my own learning abruptly changed with my going back to self study and research. My teacher and I have parted ways due to not being the right match, and that is OK!  Not everyone is a good match for such dynamics and finding the right one continues.

In the meantime, something else presented itself that same week: winning a scholarship to the World Shakuhachi Festival in Texas this April! One thing I never expected, and that was being chosen for this delightful privilege of attending and learning of my favourite instrument! 

 As I peruse the site for this event , my excitement grows in what will be on tap. Workshops, concerts, open mic options as well as meeting so many players and friends! I'm afraid I might be quite the fanboy while there, relishing the opportunity to be around the amazing people and friends I've listened to and chatted with for many years! Some of these incredible players are who inspired me to learn and embrace the shakuhachi!

 In the meantime I have been contemplating which shakuhachi piece I want to learn next. While I have been learning Sanya Sugagaki since December, I honestly am not all that in love with it. It is not a bad piece, not at all . It simply doesn't call to me as one of the compositions I want to learn right now. Also...it is not a real easy piece to learn. So I have looked over what calls to me and will choose soon. Now, I need to practice!!!  🙏

Link to the WSF site!!

https://wsf2025.com/

                         

Ah, the mind and its trickery!

                     As the new year begins, challenges remain in full force and view as far as my shakuhachi journey goes. My last lesson with Sensei Araki was splendid and I learned a lot , especially some tips that will help my melon. Ok, my brain. One source of struggle for me has been the Kinko ryu notation and wrapping my head around it. If I were coming to Kinko as a beginner and fresh in learning, it wouldn't be as much a struggle. But my first teacher as well as subsequent instructors and lessons were rooted in other notations such as Tozan and Myoan. Or different styles of print and handwritten notations. So...when the kinko style was shown to me for reading and practice, my mind melted.  

This score is of Sanya Sugagaki by Satō Seibi and one of a few of this piece I have. When I first saw it, sure...I recognized some of the notes and markings but also was puzzled by many others. This became an instant question for sensei as I was not grasping it. He mentioned perhaps writing the notes down the way I know how from the previous years of instruction. A good idea as this was going to take time. And as I age, this mind is not as sharp as it once was!

Fast forward a month and I've SLOWLY been learning the new notation. It is not easy and this is a challenge for me as a shakuhachi student. I can easily play by ear and fortunately, this is a positive thing when learning shakuhachi as opposed to some instruments. The nuances, ornamentation and dynamics of tone are very important in shakuhachi play and interpretation. Especially tone and colour. This makes my situation a bit better as I pick up on pitch and variations easily. And also a good reason to have a teacher.

Above is the original notation and beginners sheet I started with way back in 2010. Quite a change to go from that to the Kinko notation. So, my new goals this month are to learn the Kinko notation the best that I can and also learn Sanya Sugagaki as well. 🙏