Video - playing at a local cultural festival
Video - playing at a local cultural festival
I thought perhaps some of you might be interested to watch this. Many teachers and students in my town got together to play at a Culture Festival. We played two songs, "Seiga" and "Yamazato no haru".
This was my first real public performance, and even though I was nervous, I was okay because no one could hear me playing individually
https://vimeo.com/91418054
Please comment - I am curious to know what you think about it!
This was my first real public performance, and even though I was nervous, I was okay because no one could hear me playing individually
https://vimeo.com/91418054
Please comment - I am curious to know what you think about it!
Thanks!
I am standing under the last kanji character 祭 on the green sign (at the back, the only female shakuhachi player, have a ribbon in my hair).
I am standing under the last kanji character 祭 on the green sign (at the back, the only female shakuhachi player, have a ribbon in my hair).
I think you guys sound good! 
As you sad yourself, it is not the type of performance where it is possible to hear each person.... but these events are wonderful for performance practice. Although the audience may not hear so much, there is also to some degree a pressure to play well in the group. You you make a mistake the others in the group will notice. So it is not just easy!
These kinds of pieces performed by a lot of amateur players has helped the shakuhachi survive. They were one of the reason for what is today called "The first shakuhachi boom" around Tashō era. So you are performing part of important history!
As you sad yourself, it is not the type of performance where it is possible to hear each person.... but these events are wonderful for performance practice. Although the audience may not hear so much, there is also to some degree a pressure to play well in the group. You you make a mistake the others in the group will notice. So it is not just easy!
These kinds of pieces performed by a lot of amateur players has helped the shakuhachi survive. They were one of the reason for what is today called "The first shakuhachi boom" around Tashō era. So you are performing part of important history!
That seemed like a pleasant concert. Why are all the shakuhachi players, except you, men? Did you have to dress like them to blend in?
I mean no disrespect however I am shocked at how the musical instruments seem to be assigned by gender.
I mean no disrespect however I am shocked at how the musical instruments seem to be assigned by gender.
I didn't dress the same to blend in with the men! I dressed the same because that's what the shakuhachi players had to wear! 
I'm certainly no expert, but in my limited observations in a small country Japanese town, most of the people who begin to learn shakuhachi are men aged between 50-70, who are looking for a new hobby. I think for that particular generation of Japanese, it's still considered an instrument that men play. However some of the younger players I've met are female. Similarly, koto players are usually women. Shamisen seems to have a greater mix of men and women.
I'm sure someone can provide details on the historical assignment to genders.
And to continue my anecdotal observations, the majority of players are older. Not many young people play it - some people I've spoken to don't even know what it is or what it looks like. And most people express shock if I mention that I'm learning it - it doesn't seem to be a very popular instrument, sadly.
I'm certainly no expert, but in my limited observations in a small country Japanese town, most of the people who begin to learn shakuhachi are men aged between 50-70, who are looking for a new hobby. I think for that particular generation of Japanese, it's still considered an instrument that men play. However some of the younger players I've met are female. Similarly, koto players are usually women. Shamisen seems to have a greater mix of men and women.
I'm sure someone can provide details on the historical assignment to genders.
And to continue my anecdotal observations, the majority of players are older. Not many young people play it - some people I've spoken to don't even know what it is or what it looks like. And most people express shock if I mention that I'm learning it - it doesn't seem to be a very popular instrument, sadly.
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