Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

I will be teaching a two day shakuhachi workshop in Boston on November 14 and 15.

This workshop, open to all shakuhachi students whether or not you study with me, provides an opportunity to refine your technique and explore your musicality in new ways. It is truly an intensive, a two-day workout that will challenge you as well as teach you. Your playing level is less important than your willingness to commit to a very concentrated learning experience.

The workshop emphasizes listening meditation, posture, breath control, producing a consistent sound, ear training, and effective technique. We will also study (or re-study, depending on your level) several honkyoku and gaikyoku. This work is appropriate for advanced students as well as beginners.

As in the past, the workshop will also feature "semi-private" lessons in which one student works with me on a particular piece while the rest of the group watches. In past workshops, players at all levels have found that this method moves their playing forward very quickly.

For this workshop, I am also adding three new sessions:

*  Evaluating a shakuhachi - this session provides a thorough and systematic method for determining if a particular flute is a good one for traditional study. I will not only go over how to test a flute's capabilities, but will help you develop a vocabulary for analyzing its sound.

*  Notation - this session provides an overview of different shakuhachi notation systems and covers some of the trickier inconsistencies among variants of Kinko that often confuse students. We will also work on the more complex rhythms that can come up. After this class, you will feel much more confident approaching new pieces.

*  Advanced breath work - this session utilizes some advanced yogic breathing exercises to conserve and extend the breath. I guarantee that it will improve your sound!

For full information or to register, please go to http://nyokai.com/novemberworkshop.shtml

I hope to see some of you there!