Shakuhachi Lesson #11 How to Play Shakuhachi, Your First Sound

Shakuhachi Master Shawn Renzoh Head describes his technique for teaching students how to make their first sounds.
For one on one private lessons, go to ShawnHeadMusic.com and send Shawn a message. He teaches lessons on Skype, Zoom, and in the Houston, Texas area.
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[@paulfreeman3427]

I have just started out on my journey with this beguiling instrument and your videos are helping me so much. Thank you for your generosity of spirit and your clarity of instruction! Thank you Shawn!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

You are so welcome!

[@Cyfix15]

Man, it's taking me a long time to be able to just make a sound.... Shakuhachi is much more difficult than I anticipated.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

It is a very tough instrument at the beginning. What kind of flute do you have and are you a member on the discord?

[@medotaku9360]

@@TairyuShakuhachi there's a discord?

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

@@medotaku9360 yea there is

[@hooligans7618]

@@TairyuShakuhachi I’m having a really hard time making a sound, any advice? First woodwind instrument. Also what is the discord

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

@@hooligans7618 Without hearing you play I wouldn't know. But I would recommending signing up for my membership course where I go into more detail on making sounds. Discord is a community application where you can meet other shakuhachi players do voice and video chat and get advice there as well

[@MsCacaguete]

I came to Japan for work and I’ve always been in love with the sound of shakuhachi, even before coming here. I got a second hand one (I know, not the best decision, but I don’t have that much money 😅) and this will be the perfect quarantine activity haha. I hope I get better and get to upgrade my instrument! Looking forward to this journey!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Haha, wonderful! I hope you can make some great sounds. You can always take lessons with me if you need some extra guidance. Have fun!

[@indigoblue9342]

Omg, I just got my first strong sound!! Thank you so much!!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Yay!!! Keep going!

[@zoidsfan12]

I saw the video you were featured in recently and decided I would love to learn this, I was recently at a zoo where they were selling African style flutes and my family was perplexed trying to figure out how you play it, the hole you blow into was similar just take away the big opening and only have the small cutout the shakuhachi has, always interesting how different cultures have similar styles of instrument. I have always loved the sound of what I now know is the shakuhachi, so I will be saving so I can buy one and try playing myself. To me the sound of these being played has a very calming and zen effect, I have struggled with string instruments and though I use to play percussion it's not really my thing. Hopefully over half a lifetime of choir experience will aid me in being able to find the sweet spots to be able to play this flute. The vocal chords are wind instruments after all.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

This is awesome. All of this... Love. Looking forward to hearing your amazing shakuhachi sounds in the future.

[@soggyrice02]

Thanks for a professional vid

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

[@ponzyu]

You’re so cool,Linfamy and you should film more together!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Thank you so much. Honestly, I had so much fun with linfamy. We have plans to do more :-)

[@ponzyu]

You’re welcome! :D I can’t wait to see u film with him

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

I do my best to see all and hear all. :-)

[@ponzyu]

:D

[@solacellee]

i play xiao, but i js got my shakuhachi today. i made my first sound after a few minutes, but playing the other notes is difficult, ill have to keep attempting, thank youu

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Keep up the great work! If you want more in detail lessons, consider signing up for my KZbin Membership program. Over 150 Lessons There. Go to www.shawnheadmusic.com/membership to see the full catalog of lessons.

[@mokuho]

It works! Thank you 🙏!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

You are most very welcome.

[@revetastogne]

Very nice intro melody!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Thank you!

[@natespringer9934]

This looks extremely interesting and I've been wondering if you have any tips for finding and purchasing a shakuhachi, I will be going to Japan soonish and was wondering if it'd be better to go and purchase one in person or online, thanks a ton for making videos about this topic!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Yes. I have a video coming out soon

[@natespringer9934]

@@TairyuShakuhachi Awesome thanks a ton!

[@lawrencegoh70]

Thank you. This is very helpful as I'm learning an 8 hole "shakuhachi".

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Whoa, 8 hole shakuhachi. Nice

[@raass9316]

Hey thanks for great video, can you teach me how to make one ?

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Unfortunately no. :-(

[@DisasterAuntie]

Thanks for this video! I play transverse Western flutes (Böhm flute, after its creator, Theobald Böhm), and the arthritis in my left hand has made it painful, nearly impossible, to play due to the way the left forefinger has to curl backward to support the flute, then forward to press that first finger key. I've been wanting to find a headjoint that would allow me to continue to play my flute, but in a position that's much more comfortable for my left hand, and I think a shakuhachi-style head would give me the best of those worlds -- IF they're blown in basically the same way. Which, thanks to your video, I now realize they are! So I'm about to go looking for one, but I thought I'd ask first if you have a suggestion for where I might find one? Whether or not you do, though, just know that you've helped me out a LOT.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

www.shakuhachi.com/Q-HJ-Endorsements-Shakulute-1.html

[@DisasterAuntie]

@@TairyuShakuhachi Oh, goodness, thank you! Just what I'm after!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

@@DisasterAuntie :-)

[@eduzenmetal]

Good morning Renzo! I'm a beginner in shakuhachi, and I have a lot of trouble getting the notes, especially the higher ones. I've tried to follow several tutorials, and watching this video of yours, I even managed to produce a note with all the holes open, however, I can't always. This is normal? I think maybe I don't have the necessary anatomy in my embouchure to be able to play the shakuhachi correctly. I would appreciate it if you could give me some guidance. A hug!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Yes that is normal. As you train more your sound production will become more consistent. Continue practicing each day consistently .

[@eduzenmetal]

@@TairyuShakuhachi thank you, Renzoh 🙏 I'm doing it, and will go on!

[@xpndblhero5170]

This is something that looks like I could actually make one and learn in my spare time... Not for any reason, just because I like to round my edges as a person. Do you make them yourself¿?

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

I did try once but we don’t talk about that.... not a pretty sight

[@xpndblhero5170]

@@TairyuShakuhachi - I'm guessing that the sound that came out was like the voice of a God.... Beautiful but not for human ears. 🤣

[@AlexDiesTrying]

Found a Shakuhachi 2 days ago in a cardboard box labeled: free stuff. I have managed to make a sound but hitting the right spot is not yet easy. Does it make a big difference that it's a cheap instrument with no inlay at the top? The edge is not exceptionally sharp.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Yes it does! Huge difference. Every shakuhachi is very different.

[@AlexDiesTrying]

@@TairyuShakuhachi Huge regarding sound or regarding ease of play? Because I am pretty forgiving when it comes to sound.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

@@AlexDiesTrying both

[@lasworld8364]

Hi sir, I wish to get a flute like yours, is there any way to help me? 😔

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

yes I can! please email me from my website ShawnHeadMusic.com

[@lasworld8364]

@@TairyuShakuhachi oh I seen the price for those flutes, I wish to have one and learn it. But didn't expect that much to be the price. I can't afford one right now. Thank you for help. I'll try in future if I can get that much savings to get a flute. 😔

[@iaindj]

@@lasworld8364 I just found shakuhachi flute in Facebook market for 50€! I couldn't believe my luck

[@Цигункитайскаямедицинаиглоукал]

Yeeeeah! Got it) Thank you Sensei )

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

You are very welcome.

[@KaiAustinOfficial]

Been trying 15min now, not one sound 🤣

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Trust me when I say, you are not alone.

[@KaiAustinOfficial]

@@TairyuShakuhachi after 30 min took a break and left it for the rest of the day. It's night now and sitting in bed and I actually produced sounds! Ugly sounds but still sounds🤣 I actually found out I don't have to press the shakuhachi hard to my chin and also I don't really have to blow hard.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

@@KaiAustinOfficial Huzaaaahhh! That's great!

[@KaiAustinOfficial]

@@TairyuShakuhachi Although sometimes I don't get sounds the second time even though I feel like the position is the same haha Also, When I blow and have sound, if I close the bottom or the one above or together, the tone stays the same oO don't tell only certain combination produce a different sound lol

[@iaindj]

Same here got my shakuhachi today , trying all ways but no sound yet.

[@happyiglu]

so regular tuning of a shakuhachi is D?

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Yes, standard shakuhachi is 1.8 which is a D pitch

[@happyiglu]

@@TairyuShakuhachi thank you sir!

[@ichan15234ichan]

where do you buy one? thanks

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

www.yozan-hikichi.shop/index.html?tsuka_conv=JPY&lang_id=en