Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

Lorka · 2008-08-20 17:23:04

Hey all,

after a so so kind of practice, I gave up, then noodled about playing on the couch. Then something odd (for me) happened.

my second octave was running sweetly and then, without much more air, but mostly just by altering/tightening the the lip muscles, I managed to get up to chi (or whatever its called) in the 3rd octave. I did kinda push it a bit, but it was 3rd octave for sure. Granted I was cheating, and was mering, with chin lowered, but still. I never got that far before today. And I had no one to share it with, so here I am babbling about my minor development along the path of shakuhachi.

My head was spinning afterwards, like that buzziness/headrush smokers sometimes get (I used to smoke before shakuhachi). 3rd octave also made my fingertips tickle which felt kinda weird but nice.

Next lesson I'm sure I will be struggling with 2nd octave as usual and Gishin will smack me, but I'm pretty pleased to make it finally to the elusive 3rd.

Oddly, it did not sound so ear-splittingly disturbing as I thought it would. I figured it would sound like a squirrel getting hit with a hammer, but it was strangely reasurring somehow, like the view from the top of summit.

Anyways, just thought I'd share. If I told my girlfriend I just made 3rd octave chi, she would look at me like I was on crack and say "yes dear, that's wonderful."

Last edited by Lorka (2008-08-20 17:26:59)

Moran from Planet X · 2008-08-20 21:31:20

Lorka wrote:
Next lesson I'm sure I will be struggling with 2nd octave as usual and Gishin will smack me ...

Well, since "Miscellaneous Shakuhachi Related" is not Gishin's officially moderated forum, as his "Zen and Buddhism in Shakuhachi" forum is -- any of Gishin's stick-hitting would be considered Assault & Battery and therefore under the jurisdiction of the International Shakuhachi Police CSI unit. I'm told they patrol here regulary.

Lorka wrote:
... but I'm pretty pleased to make it finally to the elusive 3rd ... Oddly, it did not sound so ear-splittingly disturbing as I thought it would. I figured it would sound like a squirrel getting hit with a hammer, but it was strangely reassuring somehow, like the view from the top of summit.

Was it like finding harmonics or overtones instead of "hitting" or "making" notes? (What shakuhachi were you using? Not that it necessarily makes any difference, but it would be interesting to know.)

Lorka wrote:
... If I told my girlfriend I just made 3rd octave chi, she would look at me like I was on crack and say "yes dear, that's wonderful."

You get that much attention when you say something like that to your girlfriend? ... Amazing!

jdanza · 2008-08-20 22:20:12

Lorka wrote:
... If I told my girlfriend I just made 3rd octave chi, she would look at me like I was on crack and say "yes dear, that's wonderful."

Chris Moran wrote:
You get that much attention when you say something like that to your girlfriend? ... Amazing!

I think my girlfriend takes the prize for Zen response. When I read her this thread she smiled and said: "I would ask you to take out the garbage"

Last edited by jdanza (2008-08-20 22:21:42)

Lorka · 2008-08-21 08:20:05

Hey Chris and Jdanza,

I'm not too sure how to describe what the heck I was doing, but I was doing it on my new flute (which I am still adjusting to). I recently got a Monty, a nice coloured 1.8 (item number A-18-192). Prior to that I was using a Yuu. The Monty is, of course, the better of the 2.

I kind of have to be in passive, or close to passive mode to get there. In other words, I have to give up trying to do something, and simply do it. When I activley push for it I meet with resistance. That, it seems to me, is the real zen nature of the instrument: it only gives up its charms once you have submitted your will and are not struggling for control and dominance. So I guess I really should be saying that when I find or achieve something it is not so much me and my efforts, but a submission to the path. When I make a nice sound it is because the flute allowed me to, and not the other way around, if you see what I'm getting at. Well, for me that always seems to be the way of things in life. A wise man does not make demands upon the muses.

Last edited by Lorka (2008-08-21 08:20:36)

Zakarius · 2008-08-21 14:06:33

Your perspective on the quality of your playing at any given time was interesting to read, if a bit (overly) philosophical. In my own blowing beginnings, there were times when I would pick my flute and couldn't get the notes to sound with any real sustenance. Instead of assuming it's whether the flute is allowing me to play solidly or not, it's probably more productive to think in terms of really connecting to the flute. In other words, make the flute an extension of your breath. With practice comes control.

Zak

jdanza · 2008-08-21 14:12:14

Hello Lorka
Remember also that Zen can be a very tough discipline, and that definitely applies to the Shakuhachi. In this case it's about developing your embochure muscles. Do a lot of Robuki (playing the lowest note for an entire breath), ideally ten or fifteen minutes a day, and then also try to play long tones slowly up the second octave.
Yes, the flute "allows" you, as you say, but developing your technique with focused discipline will earn you your flute's respect and you'll find yourself being "allowed" more often and consistently.
I don't think the word "passive" is accurate here... maybe receptive, relaxed, un-goal oriented... Same with "submission"... I prefer surrender...
And even though I think your approach is in the right direction, effort does very much come into play... However, ironically, ideally it is an effortless effort
Best wishes...

Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

#1 2008-08-20 17:23:04

3rd octave smokers buzz

#2 2008-08-20 21:31:20

Re: 3rd octave smokers buzz

Lorka wrote:

Lorka wrote:

Lorka wrote:

#3 2008-08-20 22:20:12

Re: 3rd octave smokers buzz

Lorka wrote:

Chris Moran wrote:

#4 2008-08-21 08:20:05

Re: 3rd octave smokers buzz

#5 2008-08-21 14:06:33

Re: 3rd octave smokers buzz

#6 2008-08-21 14:12:14

Re: 3rd octave smokers buzz

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