Category: Shakuhachi

  • Failing

    I have become a student again, in two very diverse disciplines – playing Shakuhachi and knitting. In both cases I have a recurring opportunity to experience failure. In Shakuhachi playing I am getting comfortable playing the in the first register – sounds that are first experienced when blowing the instrument. I am still only an…

  • I Shakuhachi – February 13, 2010: Trap

    Choice to Trap Trap to Struggle Struggle to Awareness Awareness to Patience Patience to Playfulness Playfulness to Freedom

  • I Shakuhachi – February 11, 2010

    … a theme I have visited in the past, it came to me again… so I let it play out

  • I Shakuhachi – February 4, 2010: Transition

    This Shakuhachi recording seemed to go from peaceful to stormy…

  • I Shakuhachi – Feb 1, 2010: Begin

    I recorded myself playing Shakuhachi yesterday and today. I wanted to share with you today’s recording.

  • Playing Bamboo Leaves

    During my first Shakuhachi lesson my teacher moved two fingers through the air in a way that described a shape of a bamboo leaf. He suggested I try to play tones accordingly – starting from silent, growing fuller and stronger and then fading out slowly and gently, almost if the sound never comes to an…

  • Tears

    In my memory there is an inspiring description of crying. I do not recall where this came from, if I read it somewhere or if someone told it to me. When there is an intensity inside that we cannot contain – it overflows and manifests as tears. It is an experience of something that cannot…

  • Sound & Silence

    As a Yoga practitioner I have experienced being both student & teacher. As a student I have learned that it takes years of persistent practice to assimilate, realize & appreciate teachings. I have heard my teachers repeat ideas over and over, many times over the years, and I am still in awe every time my…

  • Recess, Progress, Excess

    A part of me wishes I could tell you (and myself) that over the years I have practiced Yoga (on the mat) consistently. But that is not the truth. I’ve been through periods of consistent & intense practice, periods of erratic practice, and periods of no practice. I have observed numerous patterns in the development…

  • Shakuhachi Notation

    Yesterday I had my first official Shakuhachi lesson (though it is our second time communicating). When I first purchased a Shakuhachi I also ordered a guide (book and CD) that includes instruction on reading notation. I couldn’t figure it out – and it was rather disappointing – especially because I was told it’s fairly easy!…

  • Making Stuff

    Taking snapshots is not something I do often. This week it happened numerous times. I am learning Shakuhachi music notation – and I drew these pages which contain the symbol and name of each note. I practice by looking at each one as I play each note separately. It’s coming along nicely. At the same…

  • Tsuru no Sugomori

    Played by Kifu Mitsuhashi Tsuru no Sugomori from naha Jaja on Vimeo.

  • Parting from my first Shakuhachi

    I am parting ways with my first 1.8 Shakuhachi, I am putting it up for sale. [slidepress gallery=’1.8-meditation-shakuhachi’] When I first purchased it (from Monty Levenson) I was looking to get acquainted with a Shakuhachi – I had no idea then, that it would take on a key role in my daily practices. It has,…

  • I Shakuhachi – October 8, 2009

    This morning I made first recording of a meditation session with my new Shakuhachi. I was inspired to record by yesterday’s discovery of Daniel Johnston. When I first listened to it I got some idea of what a full and projecting sound is (compared to the previous instrument) – I didn’t play any louder or…

  • Learning Curves

    Shakuhachi is a challenging instrument to play because it only has 5 holes. The range of notes you can play depends on subtle variations of blowing technique. One of the challenges a beginning player faces is playing higher octaves. I can’t do this yet – but I do play around with it all the time.…

  • My New 2.4 Shakuhachi

    A couple of days ago I met my new Tai Hei 2.4 Shakuhachi and the meeting was surprising and, well… intimidating. When I first saw it I was sitting in a car – so I didn’t have a space to hold it properly – which just amplified my initial impression of “It’s huge and I…

  • Kakimaze Pilot Playing Shakuhachi

    I found this image here. It’s the last one on the page and it is labeled “Kamikaze pilot playing shakuhachi – 1943″. (Courtesy of Tom Caperton)

  • I Shakuhachi – August 19, 2009

    Another Shakuhachi recording – this time from late at night. When the initial phrase came out it completely took over me. click to play

  • I Shakuhachi – August 13, 2009

    Today, for the first time, I recorded myself playing Shakuhachi (~ 9 minutes). Play Recording

  • Eternal & Present

    The Shakuhachi is quickly becoming an integrated part of my yoga & meditation practice. Sometimes I play it before practicing, usually when I a feel unfocused. Other times I play it after I practice to get a sense of where I am. It is both a bridge from present to eternal and from eternal to…