Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

A teacher teaching shakuhachi, hopefully honkyoku. And what does it mean to you, Jon and John?

John wrote:

What a cool resource it would be to develop a library of reference lessons.  Imagine how future generations would cherish teachings from masters who have passed.

I think many of the classes from the various shakuhachi festivals have been recorded. That might be a place to start.

Yes, there is an beginner's instructional DVD for shakuhachi other than Huebner's.    It is offered on Ebay and is a 100% Japanese product,  meaning No English!    However, for those who do not wish a teacher Internet or live,  this will probably get you through a few simple Japanese folk songs and through the fundamental notes and the high ( kan ) octaves.   Most beginners' wish for a close-up image of the basic fingerings and an audio sound matching the note played for musical reference, so here it is.  It also shows a close-up of the teacher's embouchure.  This DVD seems to be a basic How-To for the Japanese beginner.   In this case,  where another thread on the forum explored the Japanese method of teaching mostly by imitation,  you will be unless you can speak a modicum of Basic Nihongo ( Japanese colloquial speak ).   The teacher seems to be a Tozan player and the video and the production quality seems just average,  but I feel it would help most average new players with no other recourse.   The cover has the Japanese characters for Shakuhachi,  dvd produced by Far East Island Record DVD Series, Studio Ongakukan, by Takashi Chino.    A little man in a white dress shirt and black pants up to his chest is playing a shakuhachi in a verdant green bamboo grove on the cover.   ISBN4-925074-87-3      COO73

mrwuwu wrote:

In this case,  where another thread on the forum explored the Japanese method of teaching mostly by imitation,  you will be unless you can speak a modicum of Basic Nihongo ( Japanese colloquial speak ).

This earlier thread was what got me thinking about this.  Other threads mention students would sometimes sit and listen to other students sessions with a teacher  to try to further their own studies.   Perhaps I've a case of wishful thinking that a library of such teaching sessions could be built up.

John wrote:

What I meant was a kind of long view, not merely a substitute for one on one lessons, but something with the idea of preserving the styles and methods of master teachers for future generations of students to study.

I think this preservation is already occuring since the masters (almost all) have students, and advanced students who are getting deep into the teachings.

Anyway, recordings are a way to be certified that after some years, and about some generations before the transmitions, the disciples do not put words over masters words, or sounds over sounds...

No, video lessons can not substitute for a teacher; rather, besides supplying a potential means of income for the producers and teachers involved in their production, they could be explications on the finer points of playing.  Imagine if John Coltrane, or Amadeus Mozart had had digital video available within their own homes.  I"m certain they would be a treasure trove of musical knowledge if they were employed for instruction--what a cool resource, I agree!!  Any teachers out there have any digital video equipment nearby?  One last question, why aren't there any of these already?

edosan wrote:

Mike Raftery wrote:

One last question, why aren't there any of these already?

Because, frankly, it's not a very valid idea. Just sayin'.

Why, I ask you, aren't there heaps of recorded lessons of other classical music traditions?

The only useful way to apprehend those fine points you're referring to is through a one-on-one exchange.

Don't burst their bubble, man!

Anyway Beethoven has announced he's about to start Skype lessons.

edosan, there are heaps of recorded music lessons available, maybe not all orchestral instruments,  and in just a cursory glance of one page from google I saw an extensive number of instruments being taught via video. 

Can you attempt to describe what is being taught in one to one, it is a non-verbal teaching? Something being transmitted mind to mind.  Is it a zen thing?

Supply and demand, Jim, no doubt. I'll look into getting a copy Samuelson's video and use it as a cross reference with Huebner's.  Its the new digital age, so who knows what we come down the pipe

How to guides sound good to me, Jon, that's what I thought you were inquiring about in the first place.  It seems they are no where to be found at this time.  Why horrific decisions? Hyperbole or fear?  Why not the current generation have a chance to study with these masters?

Mike Raftery wrote:

...Why horrific decisions? Hyperbole or fear?  Why not the current generation have a chance to study with these masters?

Hi Mike,
I've wrestled with this for a while now. I offer mp3/video lessons because of my chaotic schedule. If a student can wait a week or two  (or three ), they can have a lesson that can be viewed over and over again.

See here:

http://www.vimeo.com/10034542

(I inadvertently referred to Tsu as Chi in the middle of the video. It was early )

I thought about making them all public, but it doesn't seem fair to the students who paid. I welcome input on this dilemma.

Jim Thompson wrote:

Ralph's breakdown is in print form. No video. It is available in volume  II of the International Shakuhachi Society's Annals.

And unless you have someone to show you how to do it, it's pretty much useless...

       JUST SAYIN'