Kan - How to play the higher sound of the shakuhachi Japanese bamboo flute by Josen (Jon Kypros)

flutedojo.com
Josen (Jon Kypros), shakuhachi Dai-Shihan 'Grandmaster'
In this video, I demonstrate how to play the often illusive, higher sound of the shakuhachi called Kan. I give close-up views of the lips and the "Hara" or abdomen. The Hara is truly the heart of shakuhachi playing. It works together with the lips to get every sound possible on the shakuhachi. For example, to get Kan we typically generate more power from the Hara and focus it at the lips with a smaller opening. Here, I also give an exercise I came up which I named "Climbing the Ladder of Kan". It's helped many of my students to play Kan and improve.
Intro 00:45
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Closeup view of each note in Otsu and Kan
RO 02:29
TSU 03:08
RE 03:26
CHI 03:38
HA/RI 03:48
I 04:02
Meri notes in Kan 04:14
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Demonstration of power used for Kan - 04:32
The "Hara" or abdonmen 06:01
Hara close-up - 06:24
Exercise "Climbing the Ladder of Kan" - 07:53
Outro - the importance of the Hara, the heart of shakuhachi playing - 10:59

[@Comedyinc1002]

This is exactly what I've been looking for. No one ever did a tutorial for Kan so far. Thank you so much!

[@jacebeleren1703]

I've been struggling with getting good kan tone for the last months, this couldn't be timed better! Thank you, John!

[@kjell159]

We meet again.

[@rsomazzi]

Wow, the first 2 minutes of this got me to producing my very first Kan notes. What a feeling! I have not been able to break this barrier in a long time but today is a good day! I can't produce a consistent Kan note but I am getting there. Thank you!

[@chris1309013600]

That is the great advices vidéo i needed to understand how to kan …❤❤❤ thanks 🙏

[@kjell159]

I know this isn't really advice but after a while it starts to feel a bit like second nature. Like you can feel the difference in pressure of the air column otsu vs kan. Like you don't have to put too much thought into it, nor use extra air. In the beginning you might tend to do that, use extra air, but you'll develop it more and more, kan can be very dynamic, also in the softer range. Tsu dai meri in kan can be full of character while subtle and softer in volume at the same time. The embouchure difference is very subtle, a little upper lip movement I guess. I like to imagine higher octaves as 'filtering out the root note', so the first overtone becomes the new 'tone'. But I guess shakuhachi is timbrally a bit more complicated then that. I sometimes visualize the hara as well, it's useful advice. Anyway, to Jon, great video! :)

[@Invisible_Hermit]

Tremendous lesson, thank you so much! I've been practicing with my shakuhachi Bell that I purchased from you while utilizing the lessons in your book. I've been doing the otsu exercise on page 29, working on getting my sound as clean as possible and also reading the notes. This video has really encouraged me to move on to kan, which is still quite challenging for me. Thanks so much for this wonderful tutorial. I practice Zen Buddhism, so I know exactly what you mean by the hara. I must engage that more in my playing.

[@JosenShakuhachi]

Thank you for supporting me by getting a Bell Shakuhachi! I hope it's going well

[@dillonsnyder1172]

This was quite effective. I went from being completely stumped for about a week, to being able to push Ro into Kan a couple times with this video. Now to climb the ladder, Thanks!

[@JosenShakuhachi]

That's awesome!

[@hervedesormeaux1478]

Thank you so much ! What is incredible is that after watching the beginning of this video, I took my Bell shakuhachi and the miracle happened! I got there almost easily and I have this kan that was driving me crazy! Maybe my Bell recognized its creator! 😂😂😂😂 Seriously thank you again 🙏

[@JosenShakuhachi]

Hahaha! that's really nice to hear. My favorite thing when I used to teach was helping people to make their first sound.

[@stalex35]

This is extremely useful and helps to understand alot of what should be going on

[@MrInterestingthings]

I love this . It's relation to culture and spiritual practice will really be enlightening .

[@adamli9767]

another great demonstrate! thank you very much

[@chengu834]

what a great tutorial! Can't appreciate this enough

[@daviddiamond2415]

Nice lesson. Often, after playing Boehm concert flute for a while, I lose my Shakuhachi embouchure. Your video helped make things explicit, so that I can double more consistently. Thank you.

[@JosenShakuhachi]

You're most welcome! I had a student for many years who had played concert flute for decades before shakuhachi. She experienced similar troubles switching. I'm really glad this helped you!

[@katherineelliott9374]

Thank you so much for making a video of how to do this. Very much needed and appreciated!

[@larelekman]

Thank you Jon for the very useful and friendly videos. I just finished reading your great book "Your Shakuhachi Journey", and really enjoyed it. Now I'm learning to play consistent Kan notes using the "Climbing the Ladder of Kan" exercise, and other great tips from your videos and books. Arigato gozaimasu from Finland!

[@JosenShakuhachi]

Hi! I still need to reply to your thoughtful email! You're most welcome :) Thank you for buying my book too!

[@einarjungmann273]

You are my hero

[@markbarnett592]

Nice clear video, thankyou 👍

[@nishantmudgal4434]

Sounds Like A Traditional Japanese Piece😀

[@poitersdelarosinides1833]

Thank you for this wonderfully informative video. Is this the bell? It looks beautiful.

[@JosenShakuhachi]

Good eye! That is a Bell :)

[@RAMAKAVYA]

thank you..

[@MarceloKramer1]

Amazing, Jon! Thank you for sharing. I need to buy a Shakuhachi. Any suggestion where would be best for a budget/good one? Peace out! :)

[@mdent6233]

I second this question. I’ve been looking into getting one but I have no idea where to start.

[@jacebeleren1703]

John's own Bell shakuhachi is what you would be looking for. A similarly priced alternative thats great for studying would be the Shakuhachi Yuu.

[@MarceloKramer1]

@@jacebeleren1703 Hey, man. Thank you. I was checking his SH, but looks like they are not available now. I am not familiar with names/brands, pretty new to it. Just an admirer of its sounds for decades now, but never really thought about actually play it until last year. However, can not afford the actual price right now. Hope to get one in my hands some day. Thanks again, Jace. :)

[@jacebeleren1703]

@@MarceloKramer1 No worries, wish i could be more useful. The cheapest quality shakuhachi you can get is the Yuu, which is a plastic ABS replica of a really good instrument, endorsed by most teachers , for 150$. But, it's quality is SO much more than it's actual cost, you'd be surprised as to the actual value-for-money. Look it up when you re ready to start studying ;)

[@MarceloKramer1]

@@jacebeleren1703 I was just checking their webpage. Thank you so much for the indication. Gonna work towards getting one soon, they look just perfect for beginners and still been great overall. Then, be on the line to get one of Jon´s Bell in the future. Great help, Jace. Cheers! =)

[@MrHyde1920]

Gassho from Colombia

[@patrickpaipai2118]

i see!!! the muscles on lips is getting tense when you play

[@JosenShakuhachi]

Exactly! I'm glad you see that. It keeps the cheeks and lips from getting pushed outward which steals power away from the air

[@Shakuhachi_no_niisan]

Same as jet nozzle.

[@eidokun]

Is this the same as bending notes on a harmonica?

[@JosenShakuhachi]

Hi, This is different technically as the face gets closer to the edge in addition to changes in the breath. I forget but I think harp is just the breath(?)

[@chrisss3233]

Head go brrrrrr ➡️⬅️➡️⬅️➡️⬅️➡️⬅️➡️⬅️➡️⬅️⬅️➡️⬅️➡️⬅️➡️⬅️➡️⬅️➡️

[@JosenShakuhachi]

Haha! Trying to get all of the camera angles ;)

[@KaiAustinOfficial]

After yesterday making nothing but air sounds today I actually produce sounds. An ugly monotone out of tune sound but still haha