Shakuhachi Introduction 3: The First Instrument

[@FerronBlackmoore]

I know this video is a little older now and you might not see this, but I just ordered a shakuhachi yuu and am extremely excited to receive it! I’ve always loved the sound of the flute and was hesitant to take the plunge to order one because of the cost, but the yuu is really affordable and sounds great! Your videos have been a huge inspiration to me, I wish you all the best and hopefully I can sound as good as you in the coming years of practice!

[@MarkusGuhe]

Hi Brandon, Thanks for your comment; it's good to hear the videos are helpful! 🙂 With enough practice and a bit of guidance there's no reason you wouldn't be able to create a great sound! Good luck on your shakuhachi journey!; let me know how you get on!

[@origamist757]

Спасибо за такой подробный обзор🙂

[@kathleenebsen2659]

Thank you for making this very informative video. I’ve always loved the serenity that the instrument brings to me. Learning to play this seems like a real option. Thanks again.

[@MarkusGuhe]

You're very welcome! 🙏 Just take the plunge - it's not so scary! 😉

[@V1C10US]

Mind blowing that traditional bamboo shakuhachi are more expensive than many guitars.

[@MarkusGuhe]

I a way I guess, but if you consider that’s it more difficult to find good raw material and that it’s not possible to use much automation in the making it’s maybe not quite so surprising any more …

[@alexcarter8807]

Shakuhachis seem to be on about a par with the trumpet family which is trumpet/cornet/flugelhorn. They are cheap compared to violins. And convention "silver" flutes can get surprisingly expensive.

[@MarkusGuhe]

@@alexcarter8807 Indeed. The only aspect that I think makes shakuhachi a bit more pricey is that you'll probably want more than just one instrument, and that shakuhachi are more likely to crack than that a violin body splits. But even so, I think it's not not a very expensive instrument.

[@jacebeleren1703]

I'd say, try to compare apples to apples. A guitar made in a factory, while a good instrument, isn't the same as a shakuhachi made completely by hand by 1 person. If you compare a handmade guitar by a luthier and a shakuhachi, you'll see that the guitar is the more expensive one indeed.

[@jacebeleren1703]

A really nice and well-made video! I am currently waiting to audition 3 bamboo jiari instruments to upgrade from my Yuu and wooden flute. I was still considering getting the Hoshi Arashi since i thought it was going to be much better than the Yuu i already have, but i think that purchase and comparison will have to wait for the future. Thanks for everything you do, Markus!

[@MarkusGuhe]

Thanks; I'm glad it's useful for you! As I said in the video, I don't think you'd get anything from the Hoshi that you don't already have with the Yuu.

[@OmegaRacer]

Hi I'm thinking about getting a Yuu. How would you rate it for a complete beginner?

[@jacebeleren1703]

@@MarkusGuhe Actually, i just got a Hoshi Arashi after selling my Yuu, and i would say the Hoshi Arashi is MUCH better in every aspect except the weight. Better tone, easier harmonics, easier meri notes, MUCH better RO.

[@MarkusGuhe]

​@@jacebeleren1703 I'm glad you found an instrument that works well for you. I hope it's clear from the videos that there is no 'one best shakuhachi' for everybody; it's really about the pairing of player and instrument. (My earlier comment was simply that most players would see Yuu and Arashi as being quite similar in construction, playability and price.)

[@jacebeleren1703]

@@MarkusGuhe That's what i'm saying, they might be similar in construction and price, but the playability is on a whole another level on the Hoshi Arashi (and the player who sold it to me agreed with me as well, m y teacher hasnt tried it yet though)

[@chicoryarkar114]

I'm starting to learn shakuhachi Thank you so much 🥰.

[@MarkusGuhe]

You're welcome 😊Good luck on your journey, and just get in touch if you have questions!

[@slayer5332]

if only my uncle was as cool as you

[@MarkusGuhe]

😂 Maybe he is - deep down? Or he just need to start playing the shakuhachi! 🙂

[@Chris-zi1oo]

If only thousands of men were as cool and competent as you!

[@ffederel]

I'm a bit disappointed my Yuu is out of tune. Ro, Tsu, Re, Chi, Ri are Db, E, Gb, Ab and B respectively. The Ri is what bothers me the most because switching from Ri to Ro or Tsu (in kan) doesn't sound quiet alright. 😢

[@MarkusGuhe]

I'm sorry to disappoint you, but it's not the flute it's you! 😉 You'd have the same problem on any shakuhachi. When starting out it's very common to play in a very low position, because it's easier to make a steady tone when the lips are closer to the blowing edge. Being a half-step low is typical. Raise your playing position. The video on meri/kari might give you a general idea of what to do. Good luck!

[@ffederel]

​@@MarkusGuhe Thank you for the tip and for the very prompt answer! 🙏 I believed it was the flute because even kan notes were out of tune following the same pattern. I just tried keeping the lips further away from the blowing edge and could indeed produce the correct notes. Thank you again. Will watch your meri/kari video again. 💐

[@MarkusGuhe]

@@ffederel Glad I could help!

[@Whiskey0880]

Another great video buddy. Do you feel the Yuu and Hoshi Arashi are more breathy instruments? Due to the material they are made off? Plus i'm surprised the Arashi is even more weighty than the Yuu. I have a Yuu and it's a damn sight heavier than my other 2 bamboo shaku. Oh plus if you're interested, i just bought my most recent shaku on Amazon for about 180 pounds made by johnson? A 1.8 in the Tozan style. It might be another good option for doing a review on, and a possible option for begginers. Thanks again for doing more videos on the shakuhachi 👍

[@MarkusGuhe]

Thanks; I'm glad you like my videos! My Yuu is just 10g heavier than my bamboo shakuhachi (which is on the heavy side). But the Yuu is 410g and the Hoshi is 500g, so that's quite a big difference. I've not yet seen these 'Johnson' shakuhachi. They seem to be made of bamboo, and in my experience so far, bamboo flutes at this price point are neither easy to play nor well tuned, so I'm sceptical but always more than happy to be proven wrong. I'd be curious to hear about your experience with it! In particular if it turns out to be a good alternative to the plastic/resin ones!

[@Whiskey0880]

@@MarkusGuhe i very much do! I find myself more and more going down the shakuhachi rabbithole on youtube, absorbing as much info as i can. I must say, that piece of plumbing did work surprising well! Ahh i see i see, my first shakuhachi weighs 210g, and the newest johnson one is 300g. Is weight an indicator of quality perhaps? Should all good bamboo flutes be within certain weight range? Hey i was very sceptical too as to how both would play. The newest ones holes are not aligned, and the back is off centre to the right. the slip does say it's made from madake, and though both flutes seem quite decent, i'm no expert, so perhaps in contrast to a proper shaku, these are but shadows. I am confident both flutes can pass the tests you showed with your own.

[@MarkusGuhe]

@@Whiskey0880 The weight of a shakuhachi is not a sign of quality per se, but instruments with a thicker wall will produce a louder, more stable tone. So, if you want to be heard at the other end of a big concert hall that's useful. But there is no 'right' shakuhachi. It really depends on what tone you like and what type of music you want to play. My comments are really only suggestions based on experience for beginners to make it less frustrating when you start out. I'll also not comment on the quality of a shakuhachi without having it tried myself. All I'm saying is that producing good madake shakuhachi at this price is difficult, because just the raw material is usually more expensive than this. Then counting (and paying for) the many hours of a skilled maker ... But maybe they have figured out a business model in which they can do it. (But I would be very surprised if that were possible ...) In the end the important thing is that you like to play the instrument. Everything else is just talk.

[@Whiskey0880]

@@MarkusGuhe well i appreciate any and all advice you have given Markus, and as you say, all that really matters is that i enjoy making music with these flutes, and i most surely do. Again i really appreciate you taking the time to give me good feedback and answer a few questions. I look forward to seeing more of your vids 👍

[@MarkusGuhe]

@@Whiskey0880 Thanks so much! Just let me know if you have any other comments, questions, suggestions!

[@RAMAKAVYA]

very interesting... very usefull!! thank you for do it! regards from italy..

[@MarkusGuhe]

Thanks - I'm glad you find it useful! 🙂

[@alexcarter8807]

If that last one, the shakuhachi arashi, is actually heavier than the Yuu, then wow. What did they make it out of, copper pipe? The Yuu is quite heavy!

[@MarkusGuhe]

Haha, it's not a huge difference, but it's enough to notice it.

[@josuefox]

Thank you very much. I was interested (still am) in shinobue but your shakuhachi videos gave me interest lol .. But yeah that's so expensive compared to entry level shinobues ... I may check the Yuu version to try but why plastic is so expensive. It's like they make them expensive to avoid us thinking it's cheap intrument about quality ... Do you know GLASS FIBRE SHAKUHACHI 1.6 "GEN" BY DAISUKE KAMINAGA ?

[@MarkusGuhe]

My pleasure! 🙏 Well, even for a Yuu there is quite a bit of manual labour involved in making a shakuhachi. Sorry, I don't know the 1.6 GEN. But as a general comment, if you can, it is always better/easier to start on a reasonably good 1.8 ...

[@josuefox]

@@MarkusGuhe Thank you for your message ! Now I am fighting about where to buy it ahah , Mejiro , mejiro with zenmarket or mejiro with buyee ... Calculating total fees with VAT ... I wish they sell from Europe ... (Mejrio uses DHL which are awful with fees)

[@MarkusGuhe]

if you're talking about the Yuu, I don't think there's a commercial retailer here in Europe. If you like I can sell on one of my workshop Yuus, which is usually cheaper than if you just order a single instrument from Japan/US. Just send me an email if that may be of interest to you.

[@josuefox]

@@MarkusGuhe Oh ok, going to send you an email now

[@MarkusGuhe]

Great, just found it in my spam folder. Just sent you some info. 🙂

[@asiahall9229]

Is the shakuhachi yuu a good option for tiny hands? I had the dreaded cheap bamboo shakuhachi that I bought from Amazon and although the sound was actually quite good for the notes that I could play, I couldn't play all the notes because my fingers were so tilted from stretching to reach the holes (my hands are also very stiff/inflexible). I really admire the sound and look of the yuu, but want to make sure I'll be able to play it before investing!

[@MarkusGuhe]

Well, without seeing your hands I can only speak generally. I have not yet heard that somebody wasn't able to close all the holes on a shakuhachi. It is true of course, that the holes are comparatively big and the flute is quite a bit larger than a shinobue. If anything, the holes on the Yuu are probably on the smaller side. With some practice your fingers will also become more flexible. It took me a few months, for example, to be able to play comfortably on a longer shakuhachi.

[@asiahall9229]

@@MarkusGuhe Thank you Markus! I did order the yuu, and it feels already much more comfortable than the cheap bamboo one I was using. I definitely need to practice a lot so my fingers won't be as stiff (they are getting sore) but I think I found my learner's shakuhachi! I'm very grateful for your recommendation!

[@MarkusGuhe]

@@asiahall9229 You’re welcome! 🙂 It should help if you gently stretch your fingers before/after playing and do other gentle exercises that warm up the muscles & tendons a bit. This may take a few weeks or months, so don’t push yourself too hard!

[@alexcarter8807]

@@asiahall9229 If your hands are too small to be comfortable on a standard 1.8 shakuhachi, you can get a smaller size like a 1.5 or even a 1.2, they are out there and are particularly suited for playing minyo, which are folk/children's songs, which are lovely little tunes.

[@robertderijcke1130]

Well Markus, it's a pity it shows on your face that you don't really like the hoshi arashi... What's the problem of this flute coming in a box? They just like to do things differently than the others... And that you don't read chinese is your problem, not theirs... :-)

[@MarkusGuhe]

I'll leave it to you to interpret my face, with my voice I made a quite balanced review, where I point out strong and weak aspects of the Hoshi. As I make clear in the video, in my opinion it's a good but maybe not the best option for a beginner's instrument. I'm sure many people like the flute, which is great (no irony here). As long as it gets them starting to play, anything is good.

[@user-ri3nc9zp4v]

no china！ this is a Japanese shakuhachi ok? do you know?

[@MarkusGuhe]

Sorry, what do you mean? The shakuhachi is a Japanese instrument. The Yuu is produced in China, the Hoshi Arashi is made in China, the PVC flute I showed is made in France.

[@mirojoan8014]

@@MarkusGuhe The Yuu isn’t made in japan? If its true, what is the diference “produced in china” and “made in china”? Is produced equal the plastic made in china, after that the yuu manufacture in japan?

[@MarkusGuhe]

@@mirojoan8014 Oh, sorry, I made a mistake: As you say correctly, the Yuu is produced in *Japan*, the Hoshi in China. Thanks for spotting that!