Age issues...

From: Peter Ross (peteross@cloudhandsmusic.com)
Date: Sat Nov 03 2001 - 14:32:17 PST


Hi Stav,

38 is young. Definately not too old to learn to play shakuhachi. I
have students in their 50's and 60's. Not a problem unless you want to
be a top professional. This is true of all musical instruments. Much
personnal enjoyment and satisfaction can be gained from learning at any
age.

As to how long it takes to learn honkyoku etc. it is different for each
person.

But in 2 to 3 years you should be able to play folk songs and classical
pieces and perhaps some honkyoku pieces. You can play for you friends
much sooner than that.

Good luck,

Peter

Stav wrote:

I am a 38 year old who would like to study the Shakuhachi.

Is this a realistic idea for someone my age or do you need to start
studying
this instrument at a very young age to achieve any level of competence?
My
hope is not to be a master musician - but to play well enough to
entertain
family, friends and, of course, myself.

Are there musicians on this list who found the shakuhachi in mid-life
and
who accomplished a degree of competence? How long did it take you? How

many years of study does it realisticly take to play solo honkoyoko
(sp?)
music well enough to be pleasing to the ears?

-- Peter Ross
http://www.cloudhandsmusic.com
206-587-7262
206-364-2341 FAX



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