Dear shakuhachi friends,
I must apologize for not clarifying some of the terms in my report of
Yokoyama-sensei's lecture. A few people asked me what "RO-buki" means----
As we all know RO is the first note on a shakuhachi, with all finger holes
closed. "Buki" is the Japanese verb stem from "fuku", which means "to blow".
Therefore "RO-buki" means "to blow RO", without meri (flat) or kari (sharp).
In Yokoyama-sensei's style, the practice of RO-buki, specifically in the
otsu-no-RO position, as the starting point of shakuhachi playing is very
important. It prepares the embrochure for the demands of the music about to
be undertaken. There are various forms of RO-buki that one can practice to
develop blowing technique and dynamics. The following are some that I've
learned through the years, and (can also be practiced with all the basic
tones of the shakuhachi). If anyone knows anymore, please let us know!
1. "Bamboo leaf"--which is starting out as quietly as possible, then
gradually getting louder and louder and gradually trailing off to nothing
again.
2. "Tsuzumi" (Noh drum, which is the shape of two triangles connected at
their tips--here start out with a blast of air (e.g. muraiki) and quiet down
to almost nothing and then ending on another muraiki.
3. "Sankaku" (triangle) or "kusabi (wedge) buki" --just one side of the
tsuzumi where I start out as quiet as possible and increase volume to
muraiki. And
4. "Snakebite" (another kind of kusabi-buki) --one side of the tsuzumi where
you start with muraiki and trail off to nothing.
5. Also play as quietly as possible till the end of your air.
6. Another excercise I picked up from Minoru Sumimoto in Vancouver is
practicing long tones while facing in the wind. It helps in developing
control of your embrochure. More esoterically, I also do long tones with the
wind while sending good thoughts to people. In winter practicing long tones
waist deep in the cold ocean water is a good shugyo (spiritual practice) for
me. (100 long tones is all my body can take!)
To get a nice, powerful, big sound, pretend there is a ping-pong ball in the
back of your mouth while you blow. Blowing at the proper direction is
important to get proper pitch. Many people develop the habit of blowing
downwards so they are too flat most of the time and limit range of motion
for hitting meri.
Note: Using kubi-furi (vibrato with neck) or any kind of vibrato, while
doing RO-buki excercise is discouraged by Yokoyama-sensei.
Sincerely,
Al
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