Shakuhachi Embouchure - Forming the lips to play shakuhachi bamboo flute by Josen (Jon Kypros)

[@UnderOpenSkies]

I bought a shakuhachi 23 years ago and could never make a sound. I knew it played, the man that sold it to me played it when I bought it, but I was too shy to ask for a lesson. I would come back and try it every few years and could never get a sound until now. After 9 minutes of this video I am making sounds every try now! Thank you so much!

[@wavyleafthistle1830]

I'm so envious of people who can afford music lessons. I feel this instrument in my soul. There is some bamboo growing close by. I think I will try to make a shakuhachi and watch KZbin videos to learn to play it.

[@JosenShakuhachi]

I grew up working class and there was no support in my bamboo adventures but somehow I made it work though many sacrifices. I hope you can find a way to balance everything out so that it works for you

[@TheLategates]

An easier but equally soul stirring instrument is native flute. You might enjoy trying that too

[@AviAdir]

Thank you so much for this video and Embouchure guide! Beautiful and clear! It helped me so much, after so many years of playing Chakuhachi, to finally understand clearly!

[@charaiveti-charaiveti]

these clearly explained lessons (and also beautifully shot) are so much needed. thanks a lot, jon!

[@Invisible_Hermit]

All I can say is WOW Jon! This was truly a great lesson! I've been playing shakuhachi since October, 2019, (started out with the Yuu, now The Bell), and am slowly making progress. I've been using your book, and other resources that I've found online. Needless to say, this lesson is invaluable, and I want to personally thank you for taking the time and effort for making and sharing it with us!

[@JosenShakuhachi]

You're most welcome and thank you for supporting me by getting a Bell Shakuhachi and my book! Also for taking the time to show your appreciation. It gives me a lot of joy and energy!

[@halbr0]

Thanks so much for this. I've long had a couple of straight lightweight "starter" shakuhachis which I managed to get tones out of, and recently acquired a used ca 1950s shakuhachi from a Japanese antiques dealer on Etsy. I was having a lot of trouble playing this new instrument which was heavier and considerably thicker than what I was used to, but after watching your video things improved very quickly. Excellent and very clear instructions regarding playing position and embouchure.

[@TheLategates]

Thankyou. I have received a long awaited shakuhachi as a gift. I look forward to applying this lesson.

[@exupertocabatana3250]

I first got my Yuu a year ago. Got frustrated because I couldn't make a sound. I set the instrument aside for a while. Picked it up again 3 days ago after I viewed Jon's video 3 times. Then practiced the "breaking the seal" for 3 days. Now I can make consistent tone. Bravo Jon. I'll buy one of your Bells. I already have your book.

[@JosenShakuhachi]

That's really great to hear!

[@exupertocabatana3250]

@@JosenShakuhachi - I got your Shakuhachi Bell earlier this year. And I've been practicing everyday ever since. I just love the sound. Challenging but I'm not aiming to be a virtuoso master. I just simply love the sound.And good for breathing exercise too.

[@paulpinet6259]

Hi Jon. I just started learning to play the Shakuhachi. This video really nailed what I was doing wrong. This was very helpful!! I am really encouraged.

[@dkent49]

Thank you, Jon.

[@chris1309013600]

Best teacher ❤ your méthods and tips help me in fews days practice to be able to get Kan sound 😮 , now I will practise more and more to be able to do KAN range with Otzu naturaly on each demand … Many thanks for help you give 🎉

[@Dewingo]

This was super helpful, thank you for taking the time to make these videos!

[@tomifobia]

Thanks, Jon. All best...

[@beingfrank40]

That was a very good lesson! Thank you.

[@joestatuto5287]

Thanks for the information. Appreciated!

[@rockarolla717]

Thank you very much for this tutorial!

[@tachyonimpulse]

Extremely helpful videos, thank you so much!

[@brittain522]

You are an excellent teacher! Thank you so much!

[@Macg75]

Great and clear explanations, thank you!

[@aboutface1012]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@fitordgz]

This is so helpful. Thank you very much!

[@mokuho]

It. works! today I was able to hold the sound more sustained and clear, I hope that tomorrow I will not return to the old habit!🙏😢

[@LuthieriadeBanheiro]

Nice lesson, thanks!

[@mariag4696]

Wow this was incredibly helpful! I'm totally new to this and have been wondering why such a small embouchure is always called for when I can actually get a nice tone from a larger one. I figured I'd better get w the program even though I didn't know why, but couldn't get a sound w a tiny embouchure until after watching this video! (And it was not the first video I watched on this or explanation I read!) Thank you so much for this! Onward!

[@JosenShakuhachi]

SO glad this helped! The opening is incredibly dynamic though it seems most people struggle with making it smaller. Probably because smaller is harder to align and get a sound

[@statanne1]

thank you very much

[@pajamasflannel]

This should be helpful (not to mention if we get a heads up on soon to be available Bells!)!

[@JosenShakuhachi]

Writing a newsletter email as we speak, still working each day to bring them back. Crazy process but getting there... :)

[@CarolinePearsall]

so beautiful!!

[@alexanderbeeloo]

Thank you for this video! Such a nice intro as well, do you remember which piece it is?

[@kyreshlcsw2229]

This really helped

[@KaiAustinOfficial]

I must be the exception, been blowing for 20 min in all kind of ways, not one good sound lol

[@JosenShakuhachi]

"Slippery like an eel!"

[@smonson78]

Everyone pretends anyone can play this instrument, but it seems the reality is it's down to the size and shape of your lips.

[@JosenShakuhachi]

​​@@smonson78lutes like shakuhachi without fipples like recorders are some of the most difficult instruments out there. With that said, I've seen people with all kinds of lips play shakuhachi really well. The only things I can imagine that would prevent someone from ever being able to get a sound at all would be injuries, including paralysis of some kind, or a "birth defect". However I imagine they'd still maybe be able to get a sound but maybe never the most refined booming sound possible.

[@markboudreau1410]

Oh, you are SO not alone!😕

[@Dracomidori]

That's right, my own sound shape is different of yours that I envy very much! I made hard effort but I have only my own sound! And it depend of the shakuhachi your are using I think!

[@misopeachy]

I made a sound for a split second and had a mini dance party lmao 🎉🎉

[@hallelwolf]

Hi Jon, I am new to talking about Shakuhachi, but I researched to try to understand the differences between them, but I still have doubts and if you can help me I will be very happy, I am intending to buy a model without utagushi, if I am correct the name would Hotchiku be right? What is the difference between the shakuhachi (Hotchiku) key in #B to key #D on the pentatonic scale? Does the mouth of a Shakuhachi need to be fully aligned with the cut that is made to make the Hotchiku curve? My intention is for meditation and I would like something for beginners, to practice and in the future to invest in other sizes. There are two questions I have to acquire one. Thank you very much

[@JosenShakuhachi]

Hi, Typically what are called hotchiku don't have an inlay at the edge. Did you find something? Facebook shakuhachi groups can be a good place to hunt

[@christiantorre.musico2470]

Hello I'm looking for a shop where I can buy a shakuhachi .. Where I can choose size key etc.. Thanks in advance for ur time

[@JosenShakuhachi]

Hi, online you can try mejiro. They're in Japan. In person really only in Japan

[@Markanthony256]

Hi Jon, excellent recomendations, do you know where can i buy a shakuhachi?

[@JosenShakuhachi]

Hello, I offer one called the Bell Shakuhachi

[@pollyon]

will this work for side blown(transverse) flutes too?

[@japphoenix4939]

can you make a tutorial about muraiki technique sir thank you!

[@JosenShakuhachi]

Try hissing like a cat or snake :) Have this tongue position when you play

[@mokuho]

1-no inchar mejillas 2-que los labios no sean empujados por el aire 3-pequeña abertura en los labios

[@Joyful_noise_]

So helpful- thanks very much! Beautiful rendition of the beginning of Tamuke too😌- and a stroke of luck that you used a piece I am trying to learn for your embouchure study- especially for that Tsu Meri 🧐😊

[@JosenShakuhachi]

You're most welcome! More to come. Keep in mind that on a bigger shakuhachi the embouchure also tends to be a bit bigger. I was playing a 2.6 at the beginning, 1.8 at the end. Generally a smaller opening will help the more gentle meri breath to stay together and solid. A lot of the time people try to play meri with too much power from the gut. Best advice is to try a gentle warm breath for meri. Next would be to make sure to shade at least more than half the hole (use a mirror to see). Then lastly making sure to lower the head enough. We can also push the lips outward to help with meri but it's difficult for most people to do.

[@Joyful_noise_]

@@JosenShakuhachi Oh- I hadn't considered the flute size on embouchure but that makes a lot of sense. And thank you or the Tsu Meri tips - Much appreciated.

[@voldy3565]

No matter what, I literally can't make ANY noise on it. Could be the instrument itself, thought, since it's 3D printed.

[@sely39shiga61]

I can't blow my shakuhachi 😭

[@TheVillageidiotsavan]

Me too....just got mine yesterday.....

[@raddyxx]

A wonderful and helpful explanation - however I find your eyes so beautiful that I find it hard to watch your lips :-)

[@JosenShakuhachi]

I need some sunglasses ;)

[@nieterscody9089]

Like it but you talk too much show more