Taking the first step
Taking the first step
Hello Everyone,
Nothing unique in this introduction post.
But I have taken to the Shakuhachi sound following my interest in NAF style flutes.
I am apprehensive about the level of difficulty associated with controlling this wonderful flute especially since I don't even own one yet.
I honestly don't know how I will get on, what direction I'll go or how seriously I will take it.
I'm reasonably sure though the what ever the degree, I will stick with it. I don't usually quit on my hobbies.
I'm looking forward to posing many questions and I do try to search for the answer first
Initially its bad timing for me as I have another year of part time study ahead but I figured why not get started, there is no time like the present.
There after I will be able to gauge my level of interest much easier but for the time being I am enjoying the resources and plenty of listening.
I am there fore Tenderfoot
Nothing unique in this introduction post.
But I have taken to the Shakuhachi sound following my interest in NAF style flutes.
I am apprehensive about the level of difficulty associated with controlling this wonderful flute especially since I don't even own one yet.
I honestly don't know how I will get on, what direction I'll go or how seriously I will take it.
I'm reasonably sure though the what ever the degree, I will stick with it. I don't usually quit on my hobbies.
I'm looking forward to posing many questions and I do try to search for the answer first
Initially its bad timing for me as I have another year of part time study ahead but I figured why not get started, there is no time like the present.
There after I will be able to gauge my level of interest much easier but for the time being I am enjoying the resources and plenty of listening.
I am there fore Tenderfoot
Dear Tenderfoot
Welcome to the ESS Shakuhachi Forum!
Looking forward to hearing more about your shakuhachi journey.
Tell us more about the NAF style flutes.... Which flutes, how long have you played? And why those?
Just to mention a few of the questions popping up in my mind!
Welcome to the ESS Shakuhachi Forum!
Looking forward to hearing more about your shakuhachi journey.
Tell us more about the NAF style flutes.... Which flutes, how long have you played? And why those?
Just to mention a few of the questions popping up in my mind!
Thank you Kiku,
I have 3 NAF style flutes.
Played other wind instruments for 20 years but I singled out the NAF style that led me here.
I took up the NAF style simply because once it caught my attention by its meditative, ethereal and relaxing feel, it was instantly accessible (both financially and availability) and relatively easy to play.
So I bought a High Spirits flute in E taking to it instantly and get on fairly well. Then came an F sharp.
Deepening my connection I bought a Bb branch flute made here in the UK by Willow Freeman (soundsprofound.com) its truly beautiful and more dynamic than the other 2.
At that point I simply continued my search wondering what I may choose next as there are a lot of nice ones out there.
While searching it became almost impossible to avoid running into the Shakuhachi. I really wasn't sure to start with but it soon got under my skin taking all the aspects that attracted me to the NAF and building on them just as the sound and style(s) of Shakuhachi hit me even deeper than the NAF.
Here I am....
I like Bamboo what ever creations it is used for and I decided to make a side blown flute out of bamboo using the SAC and fetish arrangement used in the NAF style and did so with a degree of success. It's farily simple to pop out a few nodes, create the sac and tone over another node and apply a simple fetish. next I struck lucky tuning the flute. After cutting to length and achieving the key, placement of the bottom hole was mainly guess work with little room for error when you work with out it being engineered. There after, moving up the body for the higher notes its the same risk with tuning but it has all worked out and I have now made 9 or 10 in different keys. I'm not sure how others view this but to me its a nice easy side blown flute with the gorgeous look and sound of bamboo in a minor pentatonic.
I have 3 NAF style flutes.
Played other wind instruments for 20 years but I singled out the NAF style that led me here.
I took up the NAF style simply because once it caught my attention by its meditative, ethereal and relaxing feel, it was instantly accessible (both financially and availability) and relatively easy to play.
So I bought a High Spirits flute in E taking to it instantly and get on fairly well. Then came an F sharp.
Deepening my connection I bought a Bb branch flute made here in the UK by Willow Freeman (soundsprofound.com) its truly beautiful and more dynamic than the other 2.
At that point I simply continued my search wondering what I may choose next as there are a lot of nice ones out there.
While searching it became almost impossible to avoid running into the Shakuhachi. I really wasn't sure to start with but it soon got under my skin taking all the aspects that attracted me to the NAF and building on them just as the sound and style(s) of Shakuhachi hit me even deeper than the NAF.
Here I am....
I like Bamboo what ever creations it is used for and I decided to make a side blown flute out of bamboo using the SAC and fetish arrangement used in the NAF style and did so with a degree of success. It's farily simple to pop out a few nodes, create the sac and tone over another node and apply a simple fetish. next I struck lucky tuning the flute. After cutting to length and achieving the key, placement of the bottom hole was mainly guess work with little room for error when you work with out it being engineered. There after, moving up the body for the higher notes its the same risk with tuning but it has all worked out and I have now made 9 or 10 in different keys. I'm not sure how others view this but to me its a nice easy side blown flute with the gorgeous look and sound of bamboo in a minor pentatonic.
Hello Tenderfoot, welcome on this forum!
Before discovering Shakuhachi I played the NAF during one and a half year.
To begin, the other members will give you their opinion, I advise you Shakuhachi Yuu (in resin ABS).
Its price is accessible, it is a good instrument of study, the sound is good, and we can take it everywhere without caring about weather ! That will give you a first impression of this instrument.
If then you realize that Shakuhachi, it is your thing, you can invest more in an instrument in bamboo. (it is only my opinion).
It does not have been very for a long time since I play (three years), then I could not give you of very informed technical advices, but your experience of wind instruments, should, I think, make you the a little less difficult task.
It is what I wish you.
Welcome in the magnificent world of Shakuhachi!
Before discovering Shakuhachi I played the NAF during one and a half year.
To begin, the other members will give you their opinion, I advise you Shakuhachi Yuu (in resin ABS).
Its price is accessible, it is a good instrument of study, the sound is good, and we can take it everywhere without caring about weather ! That will give you a first impression of this instrument.
If then you realize that Shakuhachi, it is your thing, you can invest more in an instrument in bamboo. (it is only my opinion).
It does not have been very for a long time since I play (three years), then I could not give you of very informed technical advices, but your experience of wind instruments, should, I think, make you the a little less difficult task.
It is what I wish you.
Welcome in the magnificent world of Shakuhachi!
Welcome to the forum, there's a growing shakuhachi community here in the UK so you may have someone near you who can give you some pointers in the flesh, as it were!
Best of luck with your endeavours
Best of luck with your endeavours
Thank you both for your replies...
Very useful thoughts on The Shakuhachi Yuu and indeed knowing there is a growing community here in the UK.
Enjoy your evening Guys
Very useful thoughts on The Shakuhachi Yuu and indeed knowing there is a growing community here in the UK.
Enjoy your evening Guys
A suggestion in passing…..forget about Western notation and start as you mean to go on with shakuhachi notation. It's all there.
Mostly…..enjoy the trip 'cos it just gets better and better!!!
Mostly…..enjoy the trip 'cos it just gets better and better!!!
Many thanks for that thought. I will approach with a clean canvas and pull in any relationship rather than expect similarity and try to make sense of differences.
Hello and welcome.
The NAF is in my top 5 of instruments for improvisational playing. It’s a great instrument for people that just want to play music without having to study much and get an expressive sound to boot. I know most people prefer to stick with the minor/major pentatonic scales, but the NAF can even do chromatic notes, which really opens up musical possibilities. I own a Solo G flute made for me by the Kiowa flute keeper and then a G/F# set of resin flutes for all-weather and band playing.
Shakuhachi has a steeper learning curve, but will give you more range and expressiveness.
Good luck on your journey.
The NAF is in my top 5 of instruments for improvisational playing. It’s a great instrument for people that just want to play music without having to study much and get an expressive sound to boot. I know most people prefer to stick with the minor/major pentatonic scales, but the NAF can even do chromatic notes, which really opens up musical possibilities. I own a Solo G flute made for me by the Kiowa flute keeper and then a G/F# set of resin flutes for all-weather and band playing.
Shakuhachi has a steeper learning curve, but will give you more range and expressiveness.
Good luck on your journey.
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