Enjoying practice!
Enjoying practice!
Sometimes I feel frustrated by the slow progression of learning the shakuhachi, though I fully realise that it is necessary and "What's the hurry"!!! I just thought I'd share something with other beginners who are always asking about books and stuff. I have spent a month away and decided to take one book with me for practice and decided on "Shakuhachi Workbook" by James Nyoraku Schlefer.
The exercises in the book become for a beginner, and perhaps non-beginners, a really satisfying workout and a musical end in themselves. Playing simple tunes is fine but the exercises allowed me to explore the actual notes as an end in themselves, and I found myself listening more intently, without the "distraction" of trying to play "a tune". I found this liberating.
Just a thought!
The exercises in the book become for a beginner, and perhaps non-beginners, a really satisfying workout and a musical end in themselves. Playing simple tunes is fine but the exercises allowed me to explore the actual notes as an end in themselves, and I found myself listening more intently, without the "distraction" of trying to play "a tune". I found this liberating.
Just a thought!
Sometimes one doesn't have the focus or head space to work on music and these technical exercises are a great refuge. I love working with Jim's practice pieces.
Hi Felix,
I agree with you, the workbook is so great. I shall revisit my workbook, 'The Practical Shakuhachi', by James Nyoraku Schlefer. I could memorise some of the exercises too.
I wanted to share with you some of my enjoyment; the lecture by Junsuke Kawase Sensei on Qigong and the Shakuhachi, I have a video recording from the WSF 2008 collection. Something I rarely do is rest before practice, but what a great idea. Rest, watch the recording, light incense and enjoy.
When I can't get away!
I agree with you, the workbook is so great. I shall revisit my workbook, 'The Practical Shakuhachi', by James Nyoraku Schlefer. I could memorise some of the exercises too.
I wanted to share with you some of my enjoyment; the lecture by Junsuke Kawase Sensei on Qigong and the Shakuhachi, I have a video recording from the WSF 2008 collection. Something I rarely do is rest before practice, but what a great idea. Rest, watch the recording, light incense and enjoy.
When I can't get away!
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