I will share with you the secret of silent fingers to level up your shinobue playing, but first, I have a exciting news to share...
My New Shinobue Songbook "Japanese Night Songs" for Shinobue, Piano & Guitar is out and on sale for $25 (regular $35) til June 10!
This comprehensive package offers more than just sheet music—it includes authentic Japanese melodies arranged for shinobue (8, 7, 6, and 3 hon choshi), piano, and guitar.
Enhance your learning experience with clear fingering tutorial videos for all hon choshi, beautiful piano accompaniments, AND performance example tracks for all hon choshi, too!
Most sheet music online cost between $6-10 each. But for this songbook, you will receive 20 sheet music ($120 value) plus 20 karaoke tracks, 20 performance tracks AND 20 finger tutorials, all for $25 right now!! 🤯
This is practically a give-away.
In addition, this songbook includes five songs that are easy enough for beginners to play, yet beautifully arranged so that even experienced players will want to add them to their repertoire.
Start playing now to experience the magic of Japanese night songs!🌙❤️ Here is the link.
🤯3 Fingers That Don’t Play—But Control Everything in Shinobue Flute 🪈
When we think about playing the shinobue, our focus naturally goes to the fingers that cover the holes and create the notes.
But what if I told you that three fingers—your thumbs and right pinky—don’t play a single note, yet they hold the key to unlocking your shinobue dream?
Whether you’re struggling with airy tone, slow yubiuchi, or not hitting ryo on 1 and kan on 1, understanding the role of these silent supporters can transform your playing. Let’s take a closer look.
What they do for shinobue
Your thumbs and right pinky support the shinobue so that it is not wobbly. When your shinobue is unstable, you cannot seal the holes properly to create a clean tone. You can even drop your shinobue in the middle of a song! 😮
It's important to remember that fingers can be the cause of your airy tone, not just your embouchure or breath.
The position of your thumbs
This varies depending on the size your hands and fingers, but everyone can find the spot on your thumbs where you feel the shinobue snug against them when you put your shinobue to your mouth.
To find your good positions for your thumb:
Hold your shinobue as if you are playing (ryo on or kan on ) 7.
Your shinobue on your mouth, 2 thumbs holding the shinobue and right pinky down.
2. Find the spot on your thumbs that feels stable. Do not simply rest the shinobue on your thumbs. The thumbs need to feel snug against the shinobue.
3. Shake your head lightly. Your shinobue should not feel wobbly.
As a reference, this is how my thumbs fit the shinobue.
Left thumb
Right thumb
Right Pinky Position
Most people place their right pinky on the last hole of the shinobue when it's down. However, as the shinobue gets larger (with decreasing hon choshi numbers), your pinky may not be able to reach the last hole comfortably.
In such cases, you can place your pinky between the last hole and the second-to-last hole in a position that feels stable, as this positioning does not affect your pitch.
For example, when I play my 3, 2, or 1 hon choshi, I don't place my pinky on the last hole because I can't reach it.
I have a female student whose pinky doesn't comfortably reach the last hole even when she plays her 8 hon choshi. If she tries to do so, she has to shift her entire hand to the right, which forces her to move back and forth to play the notes. This creates a lot of instability.
Maintaining a stable hand position is crucial for consistently finding the holes and playing the shinobue successfully.
Regardless of where you choose to place your pinky, the most important factor is that it helps to stabilize your shinobue. Find the right position for each of the shinobues you use and stick to it.
Your right pinky finger is down only when you are playing the notes 4, 5, 6, or 7.
When playing the notes 1, 2, or 3, your right-hand finger(s) are already positioned down, so there’s no need to press your right pinky to stabilize the shinobue.
Switching your pinky finger according to the notes being played is one of the reasons why transitioning from ryo on notes 4, 5, 6, and 7 to kan on notes 1 and 2 can be challenging.
For example, when you play ryo on 6, your pinky is down while most of the other fingers are lifted. To play kan on 1 from there, you need to simultaneously lift your pinky and lower most of the other fingers, which can be difficult for many players.
To improve this, practice these finger patterns repeatedly. Focus on being consistent and smooth when raising and lowering your right pinky finger based on the notes you play.
I often notice that people develop creative and unconventional ways to stabilize the shinobue in these situations.
To clarify, here are photos showing the finger positions for each note.
Playing note 1 - Pinky finger up
Playing note 2 - Pinky finger up
Playing note 3 - Pinky finger up
Playing note 4 - Pinky finger down
Playing note 5 - Pinky finger down
Playing note 6 - Pinky finger down
Playing note 7 - Pinky finger down
Don’t underestimate your thumbs and pinky—they’re the silent foundation of every great shinobue performance!
You can attend my 2-hour session for just $60! There's no need to register for the entire conference.
I'll be offering a beginning shinobue class and an intermediate/advanced class where we will learn to play "Tsuki no Sabaku" (Desert Moon), which is a perfect theme for Arizona!
After two days of teaching at the Taiko Conference on Friday and Saturday, I will be at the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix (Rohoen) on Saturday, August 31, sharing more about shinobue. This beautiful and authentic Japanese garden is located near downtown Phoenix. More details will be available soon!
Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix (Rohoen)
I've compiled all the shinobue articles from the past newsletters just for you!
The last interview video with Tatara Toki sensei 😢
I’ve received fantastic feedback on the Tatara Toki sensei interview series, and I’m sorry to say that this is the last one. Her insights on shinobue playing, along with her straightforward and humorous attitude, have been uplifting and inspiring to many! If you haven’t watched them yet, you definitely should! 😃
Gamers! Check out this cool short I made on "Ghost of Tsushima".
My daughter is a big fan of "Ghost of Tsushima" and I love watching her play it since the graphic is soooo beautiful! The game inspired me to make this short video!
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, don’t miss my YouTube channel, “Miki Saito Shinobue Adventure,” 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 can’t wait to see you there!
