Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

That's OK for three days. Are you sure the flute doesn't have any leaks? You can test that by running water through the bore, which usually seals any leaks and then try playing the lower notes and see if you get them. If you don't then maybe there's a leak.

Hi, Many first time players can not get all the notes for quite some time so you are actuallly doing quite well.

Try this:

Blow your best note over and over again. When you are confident that you have a solid and robust note, try to play the next note down in the middle of blowing the first note. Say that your thumb hole is the easiest note. Blow as you normally would then cover the thumb hole when you feel the note is confident. If you are playing a solid tone, the next note down should sound with no adjustment of the embouchure. Do this all the way down the scale. If a note does not work after repeated attempts. You may have a leak.

Namaste, Perry

There may be a few reasons why you can't get the bottom notes. A common thing that happens with beginner students is that there is a leak in the finger holes. You must seal all the holes perfectly in order to get the OTSU no RO note. The third hole is a common leak point as that's a weak finger for most people. Look in the mirror when you practice and check which holes are leaking.

Another reason you may not be getting RO is that you may be overblowing. Blow gently at so as not to go into the kan, upper register which is easy to do.

Another reason may be a problem with your flute. Have an experienced player check it out.....

Good luck!

Alcvin