Time stamps: Demonstration - 0:00 Introduction and Overview - 3:50 Shakuhachi History (Shakuhachi no Rekihsi) - 4:24 Blowing Meditation (Suizen) - 11:40 Posture (Shisei) - 17:36 How to Hold the Shakuhachi (Shakuhachi no Mochikata) - 19:05 How to Blow (Sui Sou Hou) - 21:31 Basic Fingerings - 32:04 Shakuhachi Breathing (Kokyuu Hou) - 35:59 How to Clean the Shakuhachi (Shakuhachi Oteire) - 38:56 Gratitude - 40:32 Mountain Valley (Sanya) - 42:47 Nesting of the Cranes (Tsuru no Sugomori) - 51:14 Credits - 58:29

Thank you for being so generous. Teachers are everything. They pass on culture, keep art alive, generate conversation that strengthens relationship and give us our reason to dedicate ourselves to an art. My Judo sensei died in Japan I now think all senseis are created from the same peace of earth. Keep growing students.

As an absolute beginner I looked at a few other online lessons but it is yours that finally opened the doors. You teach with absolute clarity and great generosity. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much for this. I was a taiko student . At my second private Shakuhachi class I was told I was not ready for zen or focus...I did not practice. Years later, I'm back at this, having learnt the Native American flute....I think I am ready to try the Shakuhachi again. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO. It is awesome of you and the video is so helpful.I've known about your Shakuhachi but never seen this video before. Very grateful.

Just got my Shakuhachi a couple of days ago and here I am with my first lesson. Greetings from Mexico

Received my first shakuhachi today. Thank you very much for getting me started in the right direction. 👍👍🤞

When I 1st started learning how to play, I felt frustrated and could not produce a decent tone. I would get lightheaded! I do not recall where I heard the saying "The art of blowing without blowing", but that was the key for me. I imagined a gentle force of air trying to escape my mouth as I pursed my lips gently.

Thanks Alcvin for this invaluable Shakuhachi resource. 0:00 - Hon Shirabe - Honkyoku piece that translates to “basic melody” 3:50 - Introduction 4:24 - Shakuhachi History 11:41 - Suizen - Blowing Meditation 17:37 - Shisei - Body Posture 19:09 - Shakuhchi no Machikata - How to hold the Shakuhachi 21:30 - Sui Sou Hou - How to blow the Shakuhachi 21:44 - Sui Sou Hou - 1. Embouchure opening size 23:06 - Sui Sou Hou - 2. Embouchure formation 23:40 - Sui Sou Hou - 3. Kari-Buki - Blowing upwards 30:05 - Kari-Buki - Maximizes Meri - pitch lowering 31:06 - Ro-Buki - Practicing the Shakuhachi’s fundamental note 32:05 - Basic fingering 36:00 - Kokyuu Hou - Diaphragm Breathing 38:57 - Shakuhachi Oteire - Tow to clean the Shakuhachi 40:54 - Yokoyama Katsuya Sensei - Student of the Great Watazumi Doso Roshi 42:50 - Sanya - Mountain Valley 51:50 - Tsuru no Sugomori - Nesting of the Cranes

thank you very much. I consider that the information you provide is invaluable. my deepest gratitude and respect.

This is one of the best shakuhachi learning videos out there! So dense in good info! Thank you very much!

Thank you once again. Always a helpful reset.

wow, thank you so very much. this video makes me so happy.

Thank you for these wonderful teachings, given freely to us all! I love playing my shakuhachi and take it everywhere I go! I subscribed to your channel a while ago and have today recommended you to a new friend who has just started to play shakuhachi. She's very promising, a natural, it didn't take her much time to get her first sound!

Wonderful video, thank you so much for your generosity in sharing knowledge!

This is lovely. I started the Shakuhachi very recently and I am glad I came here. Keep up the generousity. Thank you for sharing.

Most excellent instructional video! Thank you!

A very generous presentation, and very informative. Thank you for posting!

Thank you for such loving and reverent teaching of this wonderful instrument and tradition. I will be sure to approach learning it with sincerity and dedication. 🙏🏽✨

Thank you very much for this inspiring and informative talk and demonstration. What a beautiful instrument.

Estoy muy agradecido de tus lecciones Alcvin. muchas gracias. Blessings

great lesson!!thanks so much for this so useful video!!

Thank you so very much for this informative video!!!! Well done!

Awesome instructional video. The techniques you showed absolutely improved the consistency and quality of the sound. I also was able to relax because my airflow was more consistent and controllable. Thank you and please keep teaching

This was really helpful. I've been struggling with the higher register for months, this got me a somewhat consistent sound relatively quick.

thank you so much...i am learning to build an Anasazi flute and learning to play...your lesson here brought me closer to a good sound.....next i will try to build a non bamboo Shakuhachi...or also an Hirajoshi tuned flute..

You play so beautifully it’s captivating, thank you for sharing.

Nicely done my friend good to see you again

Dude this video is badass. Thank you for the shakuhachi lesson!!

Thank you very much. I am a beginner on shakuhachi and your video is very useful and didactic.

Great instructional video!

Perfect introduction. Magic flute.

Thank you for this! For sixteen years I have played strictly as an amateur, having had no lessons. I realize now how many things I have missed out on (and have played incorrectly). Very encouraging. Thank you again.

Very helpful, thanks!

Thank you young Sensei! We have great appreciation.

Excellent !!! Thank you so much "BRAVO"

wonderful

gracias maestro!!!!! saludos desde Perú!

Thank you so much for the lesson!!! From Argentine, I will do my best, Thanks again

Thank you very much from Italy!!

Thank you! I have been trying to play this Shakuhachi for about six weeks and i finally go a sound out of it after watching our video.

Thank you this the best i've seen.

Incredible. Thank you!

Great video! thanks for the teaching.

Domo arrigato gozaimazda! I have learned so much from this video. I will look at it over and over again while following all of your advises. Thank you so much!

Muy hermoso y relajante para el espíritu

Thanks for making this video. It is very helpful to see how other people play the shakuhachi. I've just been learning how to play on my own and doing whatever for the last 20 years. I smoke ciggs like a train and the flute helps me breath better but the smokes make it harder to play. I'm subscribing now. Thanks.

真是太好了！

That's beautiful playing at tee beginning thanks for that :-D

Hi ARR, I’m a fan from years ago. Sadly I’ve been out of touch, and left the shakuhachi for the last 5 years. However my time of conflict with pretty much everything and my time of illness seem to have passed, and I picked up my old shakuhachi again. I emptied my mind and blew for the first time in years. I was very pleased to be able to make basic notes in all three registers, but I have a very long way to go. I found your KZfaq Chanel and watched your introduction to shakuhachi video. I think I learned more in that half hour then I have in month of lessons and trying years ago. Thank you for sharing your lessons, thoughts and philosophies in such a clear and generous manner. It so refreshing to see someone give so much so freely. I think your rendition of nesting cranes was extraordinary. Rarely have I heard a piece of shakuhachi music that I’ve enjoyed so much. It’s a difficult piece and I found it very emotional. Thanks mate. I really appreciate all you’ve done in this vid, all the effort, and I’m looking forward to exploring what else is on your Chanel. Great to see your work again.

Great 👍

thank you ❤️🌠♾️

I'm very greatful for you sharing this information. If I ever come to Canada, I'd love to take lessons from you. For now, Greetings from Poland! /Filip

Mille et un merci

I don't know how to Thank You enough for your instruction. I am a slow learner and I am having trouble making the higher pitched notes but I am diligent and I will keep practicing and watching your videos. Thank you for your help.

Thanks for your lessons. It’s been some time since we met and received my Shakuhachi from you. Now living in the interior of BC I stumbled on this video and it has inspired me to pick it up again. Thanks again for reaching out.

Thank you for this great présentation ... My homemade Shakuhachi cannot give the same pitch even close to yours, I may have to built a new one soon - Love All - Serve All

thanks a lot

Is this the only instructional free video by you Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos ? Thank you for this very helpful video. I wish I can find flute diagrams showing the different melodies we can play of simple songs. Impro is one thing but playing songs to learn certain scales would be so helpful. Not sure I can afford private lessons tho.

Kudos

Thanks for this great introduction! Just got a Shakuhachi in Japan and was playing my first notes. I play the concert flute, and although some of the blowing techniques and embouchure control are similar, we don't blow nearly that far up, nor do we bend the tone that much - just small adjustments to keep in tune, not to go to the next note. That tone bending demonstration was enlightening.

I am grateful for your instructions and information, let alone your time. I just made my first Sacohachi and I learned how to get stable notes from it so fast thanks to your instructions. Also how to care for it. Is there an oil or finish that's safe and appropriate for the bamboo flute? Thank you again and have a good day.

Sejas bem vindo prazer em conhecê-lo!🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Im interest in practice of suizen, i dont know how to practice suizen, your lesson its very important...arigato gozaismas

This is the best song 🎵 Hi😅 have ever Felt 💖

21:40 how to blow shakuhachi 19:14 how hold shakuhachi 11:50, suizen 17:43 posture

I am learning the akebono scale now. I can do that ok but then when i try to play in kan i have issues.

Thank you so much for your contribution to all the Rockies entering this path. May I please ask what the size of the flutes you play at the end and the difference between each ? I am about to buy one online and saw different sizes Much appreciated it

Whow, the Shakuhachi is truly a "magical" instrument. Just to learn playing it, you must meditate, finding best possision, right breath and more. I would love to use it as a tool for enlightenment, Zen. Have an older one from around 1912, but still struggling making sounds all over.😊. Oh, and by performing among audience, the monks also did when playing in the streets or wherever people was at. It is for sure a form of meditation and we can learn much playing around people. 🙏

O M G you're the best!! Even though Im just practicing two days with the first day nothing but air sounds and today a couple time sounds, thanks to your breathing and blowing explanation Im producing more sounds :)

Beautiful. Is the opening piece Seien Ryu? Looking forward to listening to the rest of the video when I have time. Many Thanks

Heyyy - this might be a stretch but are you still conducting online Skype lessons? I would love to learning during this lockdown!

Hey Alcvin, could you send the notes of mountain valley?

Wonderful, what tone is this Shakuhachi?

there is a hole on the back of the Chinese Xiao, and now the Xiao is 8 holes, 7 in the front one in the back

Just starting 1.8 and I can get a few tones, so I am encouraged and enjoying seeing what is being offered. I really was mesmerized by your calm teaching. Your description of correct embouchure and posture is so good. I was completely blown away by your performance of Nesting of Cranes. I would love to know how long you have studied this instrument. Thank you so much. In gratitude.

Thankyou so much for the video. Im an absolute beginner and this has been so helpful. Hopefully ill get a sound someday soon! None so far haha. If you are available for questions i have a few i would love to ask, especially about my shakihachi and or where to get a good one.

Surprised me when he started speaking English out of nowhere 😅

Hi there, I love your video. Question: What is the name of the piece you play at the beginning of the video? Thank you.

what is this ture? I know it from Baraka.

Some traditional "Irish" whistles are tapered too, where they're narrower down at the low end than the end you blow into. Bamboo has a taper to it like this naturally, at the root end. Even my student level shakuhachi, a "Yuu" which is made of plastic, is tapered this way.

I have the same shakuhachi, what kind of shakuhachi is?

Estimado Ryuzen felicitaciones por tus hermosas interpretaciones con Shakuhachi. Soy de Chile, estas dando clases de Shakuhachi on line? Mucha gracias. Quedo atento. Saludos cordiales.

Hi, how can I get online class of shakuhachi?

Hello! Could you tell me by Cm how much lenght has this Shakuhachi and how much width has the diametre of the inside pipe? thanks and sorry for my english

press 4 on your keyboard, thank me later.

I ordered a Shakuhachi from JApan to Viet Nam. I spent the whole evening , but can't make any sound . No matter how i form my lip shape , angle , ..... I'm feeling so disappointed now :(

Can anyone else not make a fucking sound on this thing

I think you are wrong. Shaku Hachi... IS NOT ... 1 foot.... 8 inches... But 1 foot... and 8/10th of a foot !!! (not 8/12th)

Hi recorded YOU😅