Shinobue Intro 3: Basic Technique

[@ItsCassius]

Many people are falling in love with this instrument due to 'A Life Sent On' from Xenoblade Chronicles 3. I myself am considering picking one up (I mostly play percussion) because of it.

[@MarkusGuhe]

Interesting. Yes, there were already a few comments mentioning the game. Shinobue goes great with wadaiko (if that's your kind of percussion ...)! 🙂

[@ItsCassius]

@@MarkusGuhe I'm very traditional with my acoustic guitar (though I guess it changes from percussion to stringed depending on what I feel like playing). Wind instruments weren't my immediate go-to because I'm quite frail and shy away from anything that requires breath control, but I also feel somewhat motivated to challenge myself.

[@MarkusGuhe]

@@ItsCassius That’s quite understandable! Just a thought: I’ve heard that some people use shakuhachi not so much as a musical instrument but more as a tool to improve their breathing/breath control/lung capacity. (I’m not sure about shinobue though.) Maybe it’s not necessary to aim for ‘properly’ learning the instrument? (Whatever ‘properly’ would mean anyway ...)

[@captainpadraig2288]

I received my Shinobue today. I hope I'll learn how to play it thanks to your videos. Right now I'm struggling to place my lips correctly, but I managed to make few sounds. Thanks for your videos ! (And thank you Xenoblade for making me buy this instrument)

[@MarkusGuhe]

Fantastic! Well done! 👍 Getting the first sounds is the biggest hurdle in making a start, so that’s already good progress! I’m happy you find the videos useful! 🙂

[@robertmiller4847]

Hey, I'm not the only one here because of Xenoblade! Yay!

[@MarkusGuhe]

@@robertmiller4847 No, you’re in good (numerous) company! 😄

[@robertmiller4847]

@@MarkusGuhe Now if I could just get a sound out of mine, haha. Going into my fourth day with the shinobue and I can't get more than a faint whistle so far.

[@MarkusGuhe]

@@robertmiller4847 Well, that’s a start! Maybe you can improve by finding a better spot for the airstream to hit the utaguchi. Just play (any) long note. While you’re playing, slightly change the position of the flute, the strength of the airstream and the size of your embouchure (it probably helps to make it bigger). If the tone gets stronger, try to go bit further in that direction; if it gets weaker, try something else.

[@kosle579]

Many people ask me, how to make a sound of shinobue/yokobue/ryuteki. After that video I will direct them straight to you. Very well explained Thank you

[@MarkusGuhe]

That's great, thanks! I'm glad the video is useful for you! 🙂

[@couragedraws]

I am another person who was inspired to start playing the Shinobue after experiencing A Life Sent On from Xenoblade Chronicles 3! Your video is very helpful. I appreciate your kind and calm attitude. It makes me feel less stressed out about the difficulties I am encountering being a beginner. I just recieved my Shinobue, but I can only play the first note (without any holes pressed down) and I get very dizzy very easily. I was worried that becoming so dizzy so quickly was bad news for me, but the note at the end of the video about dizziness also gave me some peace of mind. I am not new to "woodwind" instruments, but I am new to those categorized as "flutes" (requiring the correct embouchure.) Rather, I play the soprano and sopranino recorder, ocarina, and tin whistle. So playing the shinobue is incredibly difficult! I am not used to the idea of embouchure at all. But I really don't want to give up on it because I fell in love with the sound so hard; I feel like I just can't give it up! I am glad I found your video. I expect to be watching it again and again as I continue trying to make more sounds and build my stamina. Thank you so much for making these and in so much detail! I will be sure to subscribe!

[@MarkusGuhe]

Thank you so much for your kind comments! It's much appreciated! 🙏 From what you say, you already have the most important ingredient: Wanting to improve! The most important thing now is to do some regular practice every day, even if it's just short. I'm sure you'll improve quickly!

[@couragedraws]

@@MarkusGuhe update: I HAVE MADE AMAZING PROGRESS!!!! :D I decided to commit myself to playing at least five minutes every day and I improved so quickly! 1st day: couldn't even make a sound 2nd day or so: Could barely make a sound; only note I could manage to play was the first note in the scale; couldn't always get it to come out, then Started being able to play the first note easily 3rd day or so: Was able to play the second note! 4th day or so: Able to play first note with ease; second note is also much easier to play! Able to sometimes play the third note! 5th day or so: Sound is becoming slightly less fuzzy at times, starting to work out a fuzzy attempt at the fourth note and onwards 6th day or so (approximately) (Today!) : I MADE A HUGE BREAKTHROUGH!!! I realized how comfortable i was getting with the shinobue, that i was getting dizzy less quickly, and my dizziness was not as severe! I practiced for much longer today and was able to actually start playing a (very fuzzy) beginning of the song! Then I figured that the shinobue probably can go up another octave like the recorder if played properly, so I took some time adjusting my embouchure and was able to go up a whole octave and continue a few more notes of the song! and when i started i could not even make a noise!!!! I am so proud of myself! Thank you so much for having encouraged me! It gave me the strength to keep trying! I'm gonna keep practicing every day!

[@MarkusGuhe]

​@@couragedraws That's a fantastic story - thanks for sharing it! 🙏 Indeed, just by practising every day you'll make progress. Of course there will be bumps in the road: days with a lot of dizziness, days where there's no sound at all. But the important thing is to pick up the flute the next day again. There will also be periods where it just stagnates (at least it doesn't get worse. 😉) You will get better in the long term! 💪

[@josephuscio8304]

Another great video. Thank you from all of us out there!

[@MarkusGuhe]

Thanks, I’m glad you like the video! 🙂

[@these_wild_hearts2573]

Thank you! Just started today and made my first tone thanks to your video!

[@MarkusGuhe]

Thanks for letting me know; that's great to hear! 🙏

[@Fusorf]

Perfect tutorial thank you, started practicing today! This will be a fun adventure

[@MarkusGuhe]

Thanks for the nice comment! 🙏 Hope you enjoy practising!

[@colinhoult9938]

These are really great videos. I'm hoping you will do one on playing the higher octaves soon, which is something I really struggle with and it's hard to find songs that are just in the lower octave. Thank you for creating and sharing these videos.

[@MarkusGuhe]

Thanks! Great to hear you like the videos! 🙂 A video on the higher octaves is on the list, but I'm not yet sure when I'll get around to it.

[@nihonbabe]

Great video!! I have been playing taiko over 30 years and learning to play the Shinbone has always been on my bucket list. Well, the time in NOW!!!! I like your video, very well explained and demonstrated!!! I am looking forward to watching the next video!!!

[@MarkusGuhe]

Thanks; I'm glad to hear that! 30 years - wow! I still have a bit to go for that! 🙂 I hope the videos are useful!

[@LibrosyTrascendencia]

Thank you so much, from a chilean that is here in Japan. It happened everything that you say, perfect timming with the dizziness ahahah Thank yo again.

[@MarkusGuhe]

Thanks! 🙏 I'm glad to hear this is helpful for you!

[@vVAstrAVv]

Second tutorial i watch. First ome where i produced a few doots. Still no idea how to do it but its thanks to your vivid detail :3. Ill try some more tommorrow

[@MarkusGuhe]

Nice work! 🙂 I'm glad to hear the videos are useful!

[@hostilestar]

i play the western flute for highschool band and its kind of a struggle to get used to the shinobue because i dont know any fingerings these videos are a lifesaver though!

[@MarkusGuhe]

Thanks, I'm glad to hear that! 🙏 Just watch out for some differences as well (like no tonguing in traditional Japanese style!) 🙂

[@rafaelokamoto3962]

I'm learning a lot from you! Thank you and good work! By: Brazilian Taiko Lover. OBs: I don't speak english very well. 😅

[@MarkusGuhe]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you like the videos! It seems there's quite a bit taiko community in Brazil! 🙂

[@wade4452]

Low to high, what notes are each hole in lower regester, please. You said Bb lowest note. I would like to build one.

[@MarkusGuhe]

Shinobue are either not tuned or tuned. If you have a tuned flute (uta), the lowest note depends on the length and the basic note the flute is made for. 'All holes closed' is actually about a third lower than the 'basic note', so on a C flute it'd be A (more or less anyway). The flutes are then tuned to a major scale starting with the basic note.

[@SeviNG]

This is really helpful, thank you very much! Do you need to put some sort of oil occasionally, like camellia oil to protect the outside of a bamboo shinobue?

[@MarkusGuhe]

Thanks, I'm glad to hear the video is helpful for you! 🙂 There is no need to put any oil on the flute; it actually may make it quite slippery and harder to hold. You should just take care that the instrument doesn't dry out, because then it may crack. I did a video on how to take care of your shakuhachi, and the parts on cracking apply just the same to a shinobue. So until I get round to making the corresponding video for shinobue, you may find that useful.

[@SeviNG]

@@MarkusGuhe Much appreciated, keep up the great work! Looking forward to future videos. I was pleasantly surprised that the shinobue as far as fingering goes, is almost the same as tin whistle, making it easier to learn both at the same time.

[@MarkusGuhe]

@@SeviNG Thanks! More videos are already planned. I never tried the tin whistle, but good to know! 🙂

[@fullmetal-animator]

I've been thinking of trying out the Shinobue. Would a six or seven hole be best for beginners?

[@MarkusGuhe]

Great! If by ‘hole’ you mean finger holes, 7 is the standard, so would be best. If you mean flute length, I’d recommend 6-hon over 7-hon.

[@soundofflutes5107]

What is scale of this flute?

[@MarkusGuhe]

It's in a major scale.

[@soundofflutes5107]

what tones does it have?

[@MarkusGuhe]

I'm not sure I understand. It's tuned to a major scale. Depending on the base note (corresponding to the length) you get the notes. By half holing you can play any note on the chromatic scale.

[@soundofflutes5107]

I am flute maker and i like sound of this flute and wont to make one of this flute For tuning i need scale Like in key A an nex tones on flute holes (A C D E...?)

[@soundofflutes5107]

Native American flute key A have z holes and frst hole when you blow flute have C next D next E nex G and A This i need for Shinobue flute if you can help me ... i was looking on net and didne't find ...i hope you understand now

[@stoikusu5084]

German Beer Rules! 😄

[@MarkusGuhe]

Well done young Padawan! 😄