OK, I'm a total lurker here but I must give my two cents.
I am a trained classical saxophonist. I strongly prefer not to call it the
"sax" because I think it sounds coarse and disrespectful. However, that is
me. If someone else wants to call it sax, hey fine. I can't judge their
intentions behind language usage; I have no idea if they are intending to be
coarse or disrespectful, or if they are just being affectionate, or some
other reason. It is not up to me to judge. It is also not ABOUT me so I
should not judge.
I decided long ago that it is a musical instrument, a vessel, not an animate
object with an ego. Sensei is a human being with ears and should be called
by his/her respectful title; my saxophone doesn't much care, at least as far
as I know. I do it more disrespect by insisting that someone call it by its
full and proper name and being weird if they don't call it the right name,
than I would if I didn't give it my best, physically, mentally, and
emotionally, every time I picked it up to play it, no matter what the
listener decided to call it.
Then again, I met a very well known Zen priest who preferred to be called
Ed. So, I mean, you just never know.
We can never know the intentions of another person. I prefer to concentrate
on my own right action.
Putting on flame retardant suit and going back to lurkville.
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Ross [mailto:peteross@cloudhandsmusic.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2004 4:05 PM
To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu
Subject: Re: [Shaku] It's a shakuhachi, not a shak!
>Keep 'em honest, Peter! Wrote in my weblog a while ago, about someone who
>asked me at a show whether my insruments were "sukiyaki" flutes-- so it
>could get a lot worse!
>
>Hope you're enjoying Costa Rica; I'll email you later.
>
>Romy
I've heard them called snag-a-hoochis!
>
>
>
>> Hey Rob,
>>
>> I don't have a problem with the ideas you express in your letter
>> (below). I didn't read Brian's original letter, but it sounds like
>> you're getting a lot from playing and studying the shakuhachi.
>>
>> I just wanted to point out that a lot of the players and teachers
>> think it's really lame to say "shak" instead of "shakuhachi". It's
>> real annoying in fact. It's not a shak; it's a shakuhachi. Just
>> like you're teacher is a "sensei" and not a "sen" or a "sei". It's a
>> type of "dumming" down of the tradition we all respect and love
>> (obviously including you).
>>
>> Thought you and others might want to know this.
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> Peter
>>
>>>Hi Group,
>>>I originally sent this only to Brian, but since I hear so often that
>>>shak players can't afford our instrument. I thought I would post it
>>>to the list. I hope you are not offended Brian.
>>>
>>>Hey Brian,
>>>
>>>Sometimes it's how you frame it. I have two fine shaks. Ronnie got them
>>> both
>>>for me. My wife used to hold the same beliefs till we had a good talk
>>> about
>>>it. My case:
>>>
>>>The Shak does nice things for me and for you, (honey)
>>>
>>>My blood pressure goes down when I play (documented) - a good thing.
>>>
>>>When I am finished playing - I am in a good mood - good for our
>>>relationship.
>>>
>>>I become creative when I play and think of new business ideas - more
>>> revenue
>>>another good thing (documented)
>>>
>>>When I travel, I take my flute - Instead of going to bars or watching TV,
>>> I
>>>play, also good things.
>>>
>>>I play during breaks at corporate retreats e.g. Nike, Cigna, Pfizer etc.
>>> and
>>>all my lessons are tax deductible (my shaks are as well.) A good thing.
>>>
>>>Because of my playing we have expanded our circle of friends, including
>>>Ronnie and Yoshio, people we would never have met. More good!
>>>
>>>Our daughter takes an active interest in music, and plays her violin with
>>>me. She travels with me to my lessons and camps, and its our father /
>>>daughter "talk time - a very good thing.
>>>
>>>You have something to tease me about - squeaky sounds etc. (good for
>>> you).
>>>
>>>When I travel to lessons, you have your own time. I choose early Saturday
>>>mornings so she can sleep in! And I am back in time for fun with the
>>> family.
>>>Another good thing.
> >>
> >>The Shaks don't go down in value, and in fact they go up. Not true with
> >> some
> >>of our other investments (don't go here if inappropriate!) (very good).
> >>
> >>When Yoshio comes and plays a concert, all your friends get to come and
>>> they
>>>enjoy it and keep asking when he will return. Good for them and us.
>>>
>>>Because of a Yoshio concert, we raised enough money to demolish the old
>>>Slaughterhouse where the teenagers used to do drugs, and you got to make
>>> the
>>>dedication of the park speech! (a very good thing).
>>>
>>>Lastly, buying flutes and paying for lessons helps keep this instrument
>>> and
>>>this wonderful music alive. If it weren't for us, an entire genre would
>>>become extinct. We are all asked in many ways to support the arts by
>>> making
>>>charitable contributions etc. Why not support the art by being part of
>>> the
>>>art?
>>>
>>>Now that I think of it, Yoshio has a great 1.6 for sale hmmmm.
>>>
>>>Yu didn't ask for this but here is some unsolicited feedback. Never begin
>>>your thoughts with the word "unfortunately." I find it causes me to give
>>> up
>>>too quickly. You are not investing in an instrument, or a piece of
>>> bamboo,
>>>you are investing in yourself, and making yourself better helps us all.
>>>
>>>Hope this helps.
>>>
>>>Rob McNeil
>>
>>
>> --
>> Peter Ross
>> http://www.cloudhandsmusic.com
>> APDO 542-4100
>> Grecia, Costa Rica
>> Central America
> > 011 (506) 494-5170
>> _____________________________________________
>>
>> List subscription information is at:
>> http://communication.ucsd.edu/shaku/listsub.html
>>
>
>_____________________________________________
>
>List subscription information is at:
> http://communication.ucsd.edu/shaku/listsub.html
-- Peter Ross http://www.cloudhandsmusic.com APDO 542-4100 Grecia, Costa Rica Central America 011 (506) 494-5170 _____________________________________________List subscription information is at: http://communication.ucsd.edu/shaku/listsub.html
_____________________________________________
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