Carving a Well Worn Path

Last night I started my shakuhachi lessons with Michael Chikuzen Gould.  For non-shakuhachi people who wouldn't know, that's pretty cool.

One of the nice things about the shakuhachi community, is that many of the best players are online.  This also means that there are many good teachers online.  Add in the magic of things like Skype, and I was able enjoy a lesson right in my basement with Chikuzen, who operates out of Cleveland (I think).

Although I had one lesson with Chikuzen in 2009 via Skype, it was a stand alone technical lesson.  This time I am taking a series of lessons that can build on each other, and hopefully continue well after the series of lessons I currently have booked.

I have been enjoying playing shakuhachi, up to this point, despite not having a teacher.  I have found resources on the internet and I also got hold of Taniguchi Sensei's introductory book.  However, there is something that really appeals to me about working with a teacher.

Like in Zen and the martial arts, the work you have to do in music is your own.  You have to sit your own sits, take your own naps, do your own breakfalls and blow your own Ro.  Having a teacher to touch in with creates a sense that you will not get lost at sea.  They act as the shore that the sailor can see on the horizon.  They provide bearings, as well as instruction.

In Aikido, I get to see many new people come in and go through those initial steps of taking instruction and working with the teacher.  Although anyone can tell you what to do, a good teacher does not just order you around.  A good teacher teaches from the perspective of having walked that road before and watched others navigate those same obstacles.

I look forward to this process, discovering the well worn path before me.

Scrounging

I know my weaknesses.  I tend to do too many things.  They are good things, but they divide up my resources too much sometimes.  Thus, although my family and I are stable financially, I am just not in the spot at this time in the year to put a lot of money up front for shakuhachi lessons. 

The result is that I will be setting out to save.

I have put together money for a few lessons from Chikuzen on Skype and should be setting that up sometime in the next two weeks.

Despite my enthusiasm, I must not forget to temper it with my realities.

Onward...

Resolutions for 2011

New Years Day is a big day for me in general.  Plans, goals and resolutions that have been forming over the last month finish crystallizing and hopefully, point out a path that I will take in the new year.

Being new to the shakuhachi, there are as many goals as resolutions.  Here we go...

In 2011, I resolve to...

Play every day. (Barring sesshin and retreats)
Practice 5 days a week.
Keep clear the distinction between playing and practicing
Take lessons
Find stability in Kan
Develop art practice with shakuhachi

Goals (that may or may not be reasonable)


Learn my first piece of Honkyoku
Play at the top of Mt. Tremper
Play at my dojo's O-soji.

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New Years is a significant day for me in terms of Shakuhachi.  In 2008, I was given a Tai Hei 2.1 by my friend Walt, who was moving out to BC.  On New Year's day 2009, Walt committed suicide.  Today, I will play my 2.1 for him.  I can't play Tamuke yet, but I play for his memory, and in appreciation for the beauty that this instrument has brought into my life.

Ronin

Through Zen, martial arts, aikido, and guitar, I have very clear understanding about the importance of having a teacher.  A teacher does not just demonstrate technique, but they recognize the process that the student is going through.  Having navigated that path before, and seen the challenges, the teacher can help the student steer their way.  Sometimes they prodding, sometimes they demonstrate, sometimes they just step back and let the expreience unfold.

Studying anything, without a teacher is difficult.  Studying the shakuhachi seems doubly so.  With so many technical details, both gross and subtle, it is hard to know where to focus.

Although I am making good use of the Taniguchi book "How to Play the Shakuhachi", I know it is not the same.  There are questions I just can't answer in this method.

I know that the my breath needs work, as does my embrochure. 

In the end I am going to have to make a priority of having a teacher.  Unfortunately, given the nature of life right now, that means saving up.  For the moment, I am appreciative of what I have, and I am learning.

Early Christmas

I have been playing on a Levenson 2.1 since I began playing the Shakuhachi.  Check out my first post for the backstory.

This year I got an early Christmas present from my wife and my mother;  a Shakuhachi Yuu,  an instructional book by Yoshinobu Taniguchi, and a cleaning cloth.

This is going to be of great benefit to my practice regime.  Taniguchi Sensei's book comes with sheet music and a CD.  Now that I have a shakuhachi tuned to the most common key, there is a lot I can play along with.

Having exchanged gifts with my Mom last night, I returned to use her sewing room today and made a bag out of some nice twill remnants that she had.  I am getting better at sewing, and the whole thing came out pretty well.

So as I set out to enjoy two weeks of for the Christmas break I have no end of opportunity to play.  Between now and New Year, I intend to set out some resolutions for practice in 2011.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Ready for Ro

It has been a difficult week or so at work.  In fact, it has been the worst week emotionally that I have ever had in my career.  I have missed Aikido and been thrown off of my entire schedule.  Things will be fine, and are in fact much better than they felt when they unfolded.

In the midst of all of this, practicing shakuhachi has been a great anchor.  In many ways, almost as valuable as zazen.  I am making a point of doing Ro-Buki for ten minutes at the start of each session, trusting in the advice of those who have walked this path before me.  I am starting to touch a point where notes in Kan don't feel so difficult to produce, but are not particularly steady.

This weekend I will be starting with a new practice book.  Actually, it will be my first.  My birthday closely follows Christmas, and when I was asked by my wife and mother what I wanted, I said "money for lessons".  The one lesson I had last year was a Skype lesson from Michael Chikuzen Gould.  I will return to him for a series of lessons in the new year.

One more day of work before a greatly needed vacation.  It is sure to be filled with rest, play and family.

Loose Ends

Last year I had one of my former students interested in making a PVC shakuhachi.  Unfortunately our time rarely lined up at school at the project stalled just as summer come around.  We still have to tune and drill.  This year was no better, but with CHristmas approaching I went down to the shop and picked up where we left off.

Things were a bit of a mess, but with some work, I repaired what damage neglect had done and should be able to finish before we break for Christmas.