World Shakuhachi Discussion / Go to Live Shakuhachi Chat
You are not logged in.
First time post - I've had my first shakuhachi for precisely 13 days now,
ordering one after visiting Monty Levinson's workshop in CA. It's the
latest permutation of my interest in playing wind instruments, which
started about 9 years ago when I saw a pennywhistle for 3$ and thought
"what the heck". I eventually moved on from whistles to irish flute (and
session playing), developed an interest in hindustani classical music and
purchased a few bansuris, and now, unable to contain myself, I started in
on shakuhachi as well.
So I'm really glad to find this forum as a resource - I live far from any
teacher that I know of (in Vermont, USA). I've been working on hon
shirabe, and already found a number of posts here helpful in learning to
blow a tsu meri, which was the first major frustration I've encountered
along the way.
I have a music background, though music has always been an avocation. I
started out as a bass player in a rock band 25 years ago, gave that up for
guitar, so the shaku learning curve has been pleasantly steep but not
prohibitive thus far - it probably helps that I've been playing transverse
flutes for 4 years now. I've also been a zen practitioner for over 10
years, so it's a wonder its taken me this long to try shakuhachi. I'm
spread pretty thin musically - too think for my own good, since its my
avocation, but its fun, and I'm really loving playing the shakuhachi.
Looking forward to learning more.
I was more than a little surprised to learn that one of the mods here
(Tairaku) was one of the musicians whose bass playing provided me with more
than a few doses of bass playing inspiration back in the day....
I'm not sure how much I'll be posting, but glad to find this place, and am
curious if there are other Shakuhachi players here in Vermont.
Offline
Welcome bassist/shakuhachi player Vermonster!
Offline
Another bassist/shakuhachi player, not many of us about! Welcome to the forum
Offline
Welcome from a former Vermonter. Taking Skype lessons from Michael Gould which are excellent. I highly recommend them.
Offline
Mark Angevine wrote:
Welcome from a former Vermonter. Taking Skype lessons from Michael Gould which are excellent. I highly recommend them.
Yes, been thinking about trying on on-line lesson or two, as it seems to be the only option other than fumbling with it myself through published guides (I have 1 so far which has been useful). Someday soon......
Offline