Re: Is the shakuhachi addictive ? & other sundry stuff...

From: Ronald Seldin (nyogetsu@panix.com)
Date: Sat Jan 17 1998 - 05:18:59 PST


Dear Grahem,

REPLY:

On Sat, 17 Jan 1998, graham ranft wrote:

> HI ALL!
>
> I have now been playing shakuhachi for about 4 months or so and am
> finding that it is becoming addictive. Does anybody else find this.
> If so, why?
>
Definitely!...because it speaks to our souls...

> I am also working on Eb more than the other meri notes. I'm using
> western note names here as I am learning Chikuho notation and I think
> most of this list are using Kinko or Tozan. I intend to learn Kinko
> notation.
>
> Does everyone else find Eb especially otsu fairly "fragile"? I am also
> practicing deep-meri on low D and now get a good C# and a very weak C
> natural if I really push it down. Any comments?

One thing you may want to think about is that the Eb (TSU-MERI for Kinko
& Toazn), as well as other MERI, are played softly...If you try to give a
true MERI as strong a volume as you would give a KARI, then it will
inevitably come out sharp...Think soft (not weak!)...As far as the C
natural (TSU-DAI-MERI), it truly is a difficult note, but will get better
with practice..
>
> Does embouchure adjustment - thin airstream? wider airstream? less
> pressure? help?

Yes...But no absolute formula...It depends upon your own unique
embouchure...Experiment...You will find what works for you..
 
> I wish I could import some of our summer weather. Its 32c now and
> climbing to 35c.
>
> For now...be happy and well!
>
> Graham at Canberra, OZ.
>
> emailto: ranftg@internet.net.au
>
> Watch this space soon to be renewed but you can find a pix of me at:
>
> http://users.interact.net.au/~pran/index.htm\26
>
Gambatte (persevere!!),
Ronnie Nyogetsu Seldin

email: Nyogetsu@panix.com
website: http://www.earthweb.com/seldin



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