Embark on your shinobue journey with a sense of adventure! Here are some friendly do's and don'ts to help you along the way. Enjoy the process as you explore this beautiful instrument!
Shinobue Do's.
Start slow and easy.
I know you have a dream song—the very reason why you bought your first shinobue. However, don’t expect to jump straight into playing your dream song. Attempting songs that are too difficult for your skill level can often lead to frustration. Here are a few reasons why:
Without a solid foundation, you may develop bad habits.
If you can’t play the song the way you envision, you might get discouraged and start thinking that playing the shinobue isn’t for you.
Frustration can lead to a lack of enjoyment, causing you to stop practicing.
Ultimately, you may quit altogether and miss out on playing your dream song.
To get your goal of playing that dream song done, you can just put it on the back burner for now. Focus on learning beginner songs like “Hotaru Koi” and other easy pieces (check out the level 1 songs on saitomusic.com/free). This approach is the quickest path to reaching your dream song!
Practice a little bit, but every day.
Practicing for even just one minute every day is better than practicing for two hours once a week! This is because learning to play any instrument is more of a lifestyle, and it heavily relies on muscle memory. If you can practice for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or even an hour, that would be fantastic! However, it's the frequency of practice that leads to mastering the shinobue quickly.
Integrate shinobue practice into your existing daily routine.
Place your shinobue on your pillow so you can pick it up every day before you go to sleep. Keep your shinobue by the coffee maker and play it while your coffee brews. Play the shinobue during commercial breaks. Integrating the shinobue into your existing routine, rather than trying to create a new habit, is the best approach!
Practice with a metronome.
Metronome is a great tool that can help you practice right and speed up your process of learning. And it's free!! Why are you not using it? I spent the last 2 newsletters focusing on how this miracle tool for all musicians can help you too. If you are new to this newsletter, you can read them here.
Stay consistent and focus on the long term.
Like many musical instruments, the shinobue is not an instrument you can master in a day, a week, or even a month.
You might feel discouraged, but...
If anyone can pick up a shinobue and play it, how special can it be?
And here is the good news! The shinobue is not as difficult to learn as many other musical instruments. Many people with no musical background at all have successfully learned to play it. Trust me, I've seen it happen!
So, think long-term and enjoy the journey. If you remain dedicated, you will be able to play the shinobue to express yourself!
Share your music with others.
Create opportunities to play the shinobue for others! You can perform for your supportive family and friends, or even volunteer to play at a retirement home. Sharing your music with others can really motivate you to practice. Those who perform for and with others tend to make faster progress.
Don't wait until you feel "perfect" at playing! Remember, perfection doesn’t exist—everyone is human. While it's important not to put yourself in a situation you’re not ready for, try to create opportunities to play for a supportive audience.
Additionally, seek out pianists, guitarists, and other music lovers to collaborate with. Making music together is enjoyable and encourages you to practice more!
Shinobue Don'ts
Don't compare yourself with others.
It doesn't matter how long it took for you to learn to play a certain song while someone else did it in 2 months. It doesn't matter if someone else can hit kan on 7 and you can't. Every shinobue journey is unique. Stay on you path and don't get distracted. This is not a race. If you want to be the best, you must be YOU because nobody can beat you being you!!
Don't be a perfectionist.
Don’t be too hard on yourself because you are not “perfect.” Even the very best musicians are not perfect. And how moving is a "perfect music" anyway???
Focus on improving your skills, but silence your harsh inner critic. Being a perfectionist can drain the joy out of learning music. Remember, you learn best when you’re having fun!
And most importantly...
Don't give up!
I understand that practicing the shinobue can be frustrating at times. However, if you keep at it, it will definitely become easier! If you decide to quit, I can guarantee that you won't improve. So, don’t give up! The shinobue is truly worth your time, effort, and passion!
A beautiful view from the mountaintop is worth the climb.(Hokkaido, Japan)
I played four shinobues (all in 6 hon choshi) for an audience for tone comparison. Which one do you think they liked the best? Their answer surprised me!
Q & A: Should I breathe through my nose or mouth when playing shinobue?
Answer: I breathe through my mouth, just like my teacher, Bunta sensei. But I think you can breathe through your nose if it works for you. When it comes to inhaling, though, the most important thing to learn is diaphragmatic breathing—it's a game changer! If you're curious to learn more, you can check out this super underrated video here. Enjoy!
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!
