Robert asked for, “a post dedicated to the fine art of the shakuhachi embouchure!” so here we go! Writing about embouchure is a bit like trying to describe smell using color, but I gave it my best…

Third installment of shakuhachi technique under the microscope…

We will return to our regularly scheduled Brogcast on Saturday.

“Basically, the rule is we articulate melodic lines when descending—never ascending, with one exception…”

I’m (hopefully) going to address—and maybe expand on—the second part of Mark’s excellent question first: That of rhythm and tempo.

“…I believe there is real value in the process of imprinting the nuance into one’s core understanding of a piece of music. When we sing a song we’ve committed to memory, it is far more evocative than when we read words off a page…”

“The process of measuring in shakuhachi construction is called tōwari-ho which is a method of dividing by ten which determines the distance between the finger holes versus the length of the flute…Making an instrument without this system creates an unbalanced instrument. The pitch will continue to sharpen as the finger holes are opened, thus severely limiting the player.”

Cupboards are bare, so I’m posting a chapter from my dad’s thesis on Kinko-ryu shakuhachi honkyoku. Enjoy!

The truth is, in traditional music, transmission is the most important aspect for someone like me. As much as I enjoy playing concerts, and as important as performing is to me, those moments are fleeting; handing down the history and technique gives my ancestors the chance to live on through anyone who chooses to adopt those styles and techniques.

of my debut in 1988 (like, 10 years ago, right?)

The story of the Mystery Duet…

“The old scores are hard to come by, and aren’t particularly cheap. I’m also partial to my own, especially the ones with my father’s marks in them. I’ve spent a good portion of the last year scanning in my scores and trying to clean them up so I can read them and thus teach them to others.”

A bit about the process of taking a professional name…

I know quite a bit about my grandfathers; my grandmothers? not so much…

Of Kodo II, Tsuki no Kyoku, and more…

Answers to last week’s Questions!

“Was there a question in the back?”

East Meets West in the Battle for Musical Notation Supremacy! Just kidding. I just suck at reading staff notation.

Even a thatched hut
May change with a new owner
Into a doll’s house

—Matsuo Bashō

My dad would say…at best, you’ll be 80% of your actual ability, so practice with that in mind. Some small bit of uncertainty will balloon into a chasm of despair on stage.