Hard to believe that there are shinobue songs that are simple yet sound impressive? Believe it! ๐
I have been playing the shinobue for less than five years, so if you're a beginner, I was in your shoes just a few years ago.
The reason I was able to start a shinobue channel on YouTube in my second year of learning to play the shinobue and attract thousands of views on some of my videos is that I know how to present my shinobue music effectively while maximizing my skills.
In this article, Iโll share my secret tips with you so you can sound your very best too!
Even if you can only play a simple melody on the shinobue, choosing beautiful songs with the karaoke tracks I'm sharing with you can transform your performance. Voila! Youโll be a shinobue superstar!
At the end of this article, I will also show you how to extract and download the audio from YouTube videos for your karaoke tracks.
Use the karaoke below. It's not a London Symphony level recording, but it's in the right key when you use your 8 hon choshi. Play ONLY the LAST 2 lines, starting at measure 9 of the free sheet music link I gave you.
I absolutely love this beautiful and simple song. Shinpei Nakayama is probably my favorite Japanese composer.
I especially enjoy this video; it features images that are not overly elaborate and seem to come from anyone's hometown. Unlike many Japanese videos that showcase picturesque tourist attractions, this video reflects the real Japan that I remember.
And the person who is singing has amazing breath control.
The only thing is, to play with this video, you need to use a 3 hon choshi, which you may not have (at least if you used the sheet music I provided).
I highly encourage you to play this beautiful melody using any hon choshi, even without the karaoke track.
As you play the three songs above, let your imagination take over. Consider these questions to enhance your experience:
What is the mood of this song? Is it sad, happy, or relaxed? Try to feel the emotion as you play.
What do you want to express through this music? Does it remind you of someone or some place?
Do you enjoy this song? If so, why? What aspects of the song appeal to you? Aim to convey that to your audience.
We practice hard, but ultimately, we love music because it serves as a form of expression and a way to connect with others.
When you share an emotion, even sadness, and experience it with others, you realize you are not alone in this world.
You can sense that the audience feel the same way you feel by their reactions to your music.
Words come from the mind, but music comes from the heart. It is a universal language that resonates deeply within our being.
You donโt need to be highly skilled to convey your emotions through music. While having skills is beneficial, you can still share so much with what you have.
You are ready. Letโs share it!
How to extract audio from a YouTube video
Click "Share" bottom under the YouTube video you want to get the audio of.
Click "Copy".
Google YTMP3 and click the first link that comes up.
Paste the copied link of the YouTube video to the site.
Click "Convert".
Click "Download".
I've been using this method for years and never had problems. But if you feel odd about downloading something from unknown site, you should not do it.
Always remember to protect your personal informationโnever share it, and itโs best to avoid downloading any software from unfamiliar sources. Stay safe! ๐
Do you want to explore shinobue with me in person? Come to Phoenix this September!!
I'm excited to share that I'll be teaching shinobue at the 2025 North American Taiko Conference in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona, from August 29 to September 1 (Labor Day weekend)!! It's going to be such a wonderful experience to connect with so many people and share the joy of shinobue in person. Registration is already open, so be sure to grab your spot soon! I canโt wait to see you there!
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I've compiled all the shinobue articles from the past newsletters just for you!
Well, for my channel, 1.6K views in the first 24 hours is considered "viral!" ๐ This was originally shot as a long form video but I added the surf sound along with the anime's original picture to add a new vibe for this short form video. Check it out!
Have you ever wished you had played the Western flute in school because it might make playing the shinobue easier? Is that really the case? Tatara Toki-sensei shares her experience of becoming a shinobue player after years of playing the Western flute. You might be surprised by what she has to say!
Are you interested in Japan? Imagine diving into their culture and learning to play a beautiful ancient musical instrument! Why not give the shinobue a try? This lovely Japanese bamboo flute is easier to learn than you might think. Many folks (even without any musical experience) are discovering the rich traditions of Japan through this amazing instrument. I invite you to check out my website, saitomusic.com, where you'll find a wealth of free information that used to be available only in Japanese. You can easily purchase a beginner shinobue there at an affordable price. Also, donโt miss my YouTube channel, โMiki Saito Shinobue Adventure,โ where I share anime and video game covers and fun tutorials. And be sure to subscribe to my free newsletter to support you on your shinobue journey! I canโt wait to see you there!
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