For an aging shakuhachi maker like myself, it is always wonderful and inspiring to meet young people who have taken to the call of this amazing instrument. Their enthusiasm and idealism is proof enough that shakuhachi is more than venue for retiring Japanese corporate executives.

Meredith Katz is an intelligent, articulate high school senior from from Ontario, Canada. I asked her if she would be willing to share her experiences learning shakuhachi with you. She was kind enough to take on this project, so here is her Shakuhachi Journal.

Thanks Meredit, you are an inspiration to us all. Gambatté!

- Monty

Introducing Meredith Katz "I am almost eighteen and in my last year of high school. I have had a long love for the Japanese language and culture, and when her high school music class gave her the opportunity to learn the shakuhachi as part of a project, I jumped at the chance. Although these last few months have been hectic, they've also been -- thanks to Monty, who provided her the instrument; her mother, who paid, and her teacher, who gave her the chance -- one of the best learning experiences of her life. The project's almost over now, but I plan to play the shakuhachi forever." Contact Meredith at harukami@sentex.net

Febuary 27, 2001

The Shakuhachi arrived today! I was terribly excited; my hands were just shaking as I opened the package. Monty is a truly wonderful man. The instrument is very large; that surprised me, though I'd heard the measurements. I think I fell in love when I touched it: it just FEELS so nice. Sat, for a while, after having read basic instructions, and practiced where to put my lips. When I first blew across the hole, I didn't get a sound. No surprise; I'd been warned that often, people couldn't get a sound for hours -- days even. I got my first tone after fifteen minutes, all holes open. (I really hope that's an auspicious sound, getting a note that early!) I've practiced for over an hour, so far, and played all the lower octive notes except the bottom one -- sometimes even fairly clearly! I got one upper octive note on the second note down. I'll practice just getting notes for a while, I think.
Nearly passed out today, though. Phew! When I know how to do this better, I'm sure I won't waste as much air.
A CD we ordered ("Words Can't Go There") is playing as I write this. SUCH a long way to go -- but I think I can get there. Hope. Learned one thing already -- the Shakuhachi vibrates before the note plays.
I think it and I are going to be friends.

March 2

Both doing better and worse than the first day. I managed to hit the lower note 3 times (that sound just makes me melt...)! But it's pretty unreliable as to whether or not I can hit the notes. Is it my technique? I'm following the instructions -- sometimes I hit the notes, other times it just won't come. Phee... but all things in time. This is only my second practice.

March 3

Geh. Worse again. Maybe I can blame it on my sinus infection? (Laugh!) I was just off today. I could barely hit any of the higher notes in the lower octave and this time I /know/ I'm doing it right. I'd hit it once, then, in exactly the same position, with the same amount of air, I wouldn't get it. When I do hit the notes they sound clearer, at least. What should I expect from the first week?

March 4

Short practice today -- mainly because we had company and they wanted to see the instrument -- GOOD practice, though. Got the top three sounds of the bottom octave clear several times, the fourth also, and three different tones in the upper octave! I'll start studying the notation tomorrow so I can name 'em!
Talked to Monty, too -- this inconsistancy is normal, and I feel better about experimenting.

March 5

I almost thing I'm trying TOO hard! When I really WANT to get sounds, I can't get any! I want to move onto the half-covered notes but I daren't until I'm able to get [ro]. Meh! Forget meri and kari at this point -- I'd just like sounds. It's so easy to get frustrated (but it's so NICE when I DO get sounds) I'm also finding it very hard to get into the upper octave. I think I'm being too anxious. Practice the basics before you move on, Meredith -- Heck! GET the basics before you THINK of moving on.
Well. What CAN I get? [i] but so far, I can only get it osu. Not sure how to get it KAN yet. Not sure how to GET kan yet. Period. Breath control? Positioning? Meh.
I can get [hi], I can almost get [ri] (I can hear it faintly under all that air!) but I need to stop then before I pass out.
I can get both [chi]otsu and [chi]kan ... BREATH CONTROL! The octaves are breath control, or rather, support. Stomach muscles relatively loose for low octave, tense for upper! I hope that's right, anyway. when I can get [hi] more clearly, less airily, I KNOW I'll be able to get [ri] (eh, hope, know, same difference). Just tried [i]otsu again and got a nice sound -- no hope yet for the kan. It'll come.
I can get [re]kan more easily than [re]otsu, which is kinda weird. Then, I do have trouble with the lower notes still.
Still can't get [tsu] regularly, kan OR otsu, but I can sometimes get both (though I'm murdering that note. It's so ugly as I hack at it right now, but it WILL get better.) [ro] is still dead for me in both octaves (though I can hear hints of both otsu and kan, so... soon?)
Actually... wow. I guess I should record AS I practice more often, instead of after! It's just so exciting ...

March 6

Practiced kanji and associated fingerings for the main notes, as well as the funny half-covered thingies. Basic memory work; I'll need more practice.

March 9

Still good on [i]otsu. Loud and clear, not too airy. Keep coming close but not hitting [i]kan, dernit! Not supporting enough? Note to self: do more situps. Can get [ri], though it's fairly airy -- just reached [hi]! man, that's high. It's also airy, but it's definately there! Doesn't seem to be a fluke, either... happened regularly, or as regularly as I get. [chi] is still sounding nice -- though, oddly, I'm having an easier time with kan than otsu! Both are fair, though. [re] otsu and kan are both sounding nice, and I'm getting 'em consistantly -- THAT's an improvement from last time! Continue to murder [tsu]. Uck. Practice, practice. Hey, wow! Just got [tsu]kan! Can't get a sound out of otsu, though. Meh. [ro] is just UGLY. But I'm getting SOME sound on [ro]otsu, at elast. Tried some of the special fingerings. They're all nasty blow-yness. Except that thing I think is wa. With the pointy bit on top. Airy, but the sound's there. They're hard. Back to a few more basics. I'm so low on air my fingers are tingling.

March 12

Short practice and the first time someone's WATCHED me practice. Geh. I got [ro]otsu at least, which was pretty rare. Notes are also coming more regularly. I might be able to do SCALES when the ISP's due, at this rate -- but it's coming. oh-so-slowly, yes, but surely.

March 13

Worked on scales, again observed. Not EXACTLY scales, though... [ro]otsu followed by kan, [tsu]otsu followed by kan, and so on. Not too bad... getting a lot of notes, and more regularly. Not all the notes, still... I couldn't get [ro]otsu, [tsu]otsu, or [i]kan, but y/10 isn't too shabby.

March 19

After too long off for a cold that took away half my resperatory system, back, and doing pretty well! Doing actual scales this time, starting from [ro]otsu and working my way up to [i]kan and back down. VERY nice. I seem to finally have the right amount of meri, because the sound is QUITE clear, adn I'm able to get all the notes except [i]kan, though it's still very hard to get the lower ones. About 85% of the basic notes, then. Heck, maybe I can try to move onto actual music soon. At least 8th notes, 16th, etc. isn't too different. Once I grab the next few and hopefully, MEMORIZE the notes... I'll go onto the practices. This week or next, for sure!

March 21

More scaling. Still not getting [i]kan, dern it! Found I get the [ro]otsu if I hold the instrument at a larger angle from my body. Managed to slowly but somewhat successfully get scales in thirds done. My fingers still tingle when I run out of air. I love this instrument.

March 22

I'm so happy with myself! [ro]otsu came out loud and clear for once and I'm getting hints of [i]kan. I'm no longer breathing between EVERY note and I managed to do basic lessons 1 and 2. Today has been a GREAT day... it's actually starting to sound like music!

March 25

Did a nice scale -- again, getting [ro]otsu. Sounding nice. Did basic lessons 1 and 2 and made 'em SOUND NICE -- I hardly believe I'm reading that much of notation already! Thank God I already know musical counting -- and the slash through the quarter notes isn't THAT much of a throw off. Gave a brief stab at basic lesson 3, but I gotta work on that trill thing a lot. Next week. ^^

March 28

Basic exercises 1-3 -- trills aren't THAT hard as long as I can remember what hole to strike. Not easy, though. Greatful for the number written beside the actual music. Gave a brief trial to the first 'music' piece, the lullaby. Doesn't sound great yet, but I can hear music in there. Feeling REAALY positive.

April 1

Did lessons 1, 2, 3, and for fun, 7. Managed to get that wa-thing nicely. I'm getting some of the trills, not others. My tiny fingers are stretched so far it's not EASY to do a quick hole strike. [re] trill is hard. Very hard. But it's... okay. Aurora watched, so I automatically didn't do as well as I could have. ^^ But it's all cool.

April 2

Lessons 1, 2, and tried my hand at the Ouma lullaby for fun, as well as Danny Boy. Surprise -- it was recognizable! Happiness is! heh, having breathing troubles again, but I'm not breathing between every note, thankfully. A little bit of sound trouble -- no [ro] or [tsu] kan (laughs) but I played Danny Boy and RECOGNIZED it. A good start. ^^

April 11

It's been a long time -- got a new retainer and didn't want to do ANYTHING with my mouth for a while. Better now. Ran through lessons 1-4, tried a different lullaby, Michael Row your Boat Ashore (ugh. Upper register stuff), and Danny Boy. Had a little trouble breathing and getting lower/higher notes, but the rest of my tone's sounding nice. Oh, tried Hon Kyo Ko and it sounded okay, though I don't know how it compares to the actual piece... I should check.

April 17

And now another cold. If anybody finds my immune system, I hope they return it. Anyway, lessons 1-5, the child's lullaby, and O Danny Boy. It really helps to have a song I know well to measure my progress against. My reading's doing GREAT and I finally got [i]kan AND [ro]otsu in the same practice session. The tone's pretty rich too. I'm pleased. Not sure how often I should oil the Shakuhachi so I did again today (3rd time so far). Better safe than sorry.

April 19

For some reason, I was having trouble HOLDING the instrument. Too much walnut oil? I thought I only used the same amount as last time... found I get a better sound if I hold more tightly to the instrument but it really hurts my hand. >.< Anyhoo... did lessons 1-5, 7,8 and enjoying it. Hope I'm not doing this all wrong. Heh. Um, also tried ko mori uta and O Danny Boy again. Actually beginning to get some musicality into that. Dude! Yeah. So then I recorded -- as usual, better in practice than on tape. I actually shook when I taped -- and I just reviewed the tape and found I had an error recording in the last two. Have to re-record -- darn it! At least I have this journal.
Rerecorded. Checked tape. Found I'd forgotten to plug microphone in. I am a moron. Am recording AGAIN.
I'll watch the videotape this weekend. Is that leaving it too late? But I feel good about getting comfortable with this instrument first.

April 23

Ugh, heat wave. Had a heck of a time trying to coax sound from the instrument ­ the weather? Still, got good work done ­ did lessons 1-7. I think I've about got the trill-thingy down and there's ONE thing to say for this abominable weather (if it IS the weather) ­ I got go-no-hi kan for once! Happy is. Sometimes I look back ­ I've had thid instrument for two months. I'm so happy with the progress thus far.

April 25

Did lessons 1-7 again. Good sound, starting to drop the 'Western' habit of play. Not breathing as much in the middle of phrases.

April 30

Did lessons 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, and Oh Danny Boy. Reading music and getting rhythms well, but getting a crappy sound. Hard time getting all the notes. Beginning to move into project-crunch. Sentences choppy. Brain overloaded.

May 2

Lovely tone! I got ro-otsu deeply and richly ­ I love that sound! Did lessons 1, 2, 8, and 9, and played Ouma, Haru Kaze, and Danny Boy. I think I did pretty well today: good breathing, good tone. Recorded lesson 1, Haru Kaze, and Danny Boy.

May 7

Did lessons 7,8,9 ­ getting the counting better. Need to read up on the unusual notes, though I think, time considerations and everything in place, that I'll leave those until after the presentation for class. I have all the time I need. Played Haru Kaze and O Danny Boy, nice tone with those. I can do this.

May 10

Did lessons 7-9 again. Okay tone, but I'm NOT getting ro, which is very depressing. Neither otsu OR kan, that's right. Huh. Tried Ouma, Haru Kaze and Chugokuchi honokomori uta, or however that's spelled. Phew! I think they'll all sound really nice eventually, if I practice 'em more. I love Ouma ­ nice sound, and I think a child's tune is oddly appropriate for me.

May 17

First batch of work on our play is done, so I can get back to this for a bit.
Lessons 1, 7-9, Haru Kaze, Danny Boy, and Ouma were my practice pieces for today. Good tone on all, okay counting, and everyrthing but Haru Kaze was musical. No musicality for me today in Haru Kaze. Eheheh. Oh well. I'm really enjoying Ouma ­ it's young, cute, and catchy. Fun to sing as well as play, too. And I understand the words! Really, this instrument's FUN, even if the hole width makes my hands cramp.

May 18

Same pieces for practice as yesterday. REALLY nice tone on the lower notes, but for some reason the kan notes were all buzzy and thin. Grr! Is it the humidity problem or am I just having an off day? Probably the latter.
I STILL find Ouma a blast. ^^

May 21

Phew! Long practice today ­ still having problems getting kan as clearly as I used to, but otsu still sounds nice and rich. I'm even getting ro otsu on a regular basis.
Did lessons 1-3, 7-9, and Haru Kaze, O Danny Boy, and Ouma. A fun time and my counting's getting much, MUCH better. Yay! Wish my hands didn't cramp, though.

May 22

Yikes! Sounded flat today. Wonder if THAT's humidity related do I have an obsession with humidity or what? It HAS been raining all day, though.
Lessons 1,2, 7-9, Haru Kaze, O Danny Boy, and Ouma, multiple times. It may have been flat but the tone was pretty clear of buzz, and I wasn't having trouble with kan for once.

May 23

I'm not flat today, and the high register doesn't have pure tones once more. Ah, well. Lessons 1-9, Sakura, and Ouma. Sakura is nice challenging, the notes are SO low, but pretty. I'll practice that one more.

May 27

UGH! Same pieces as last time, but today was just AWFUL. My sound ­ when it came at all ­ was just airy nothing. Makes me feel bad. I don't know what happened there at ALL. If tomorrow's practice doesn't go well, I'll get seriously worried. Won't be the first time something weird's happened to make me unable to get around my problems ­ just look at that karate move I did fine and then bam. Not, possibly, a good comparision, but

May 29

Did lessons 1-9, Sakura, Kuro da bushi, and Ouma. I have the sound back, don't know where it went last time. I really like these songs, but I have SUCH troubles with ro, it really ruins the flow of the music.

June 6

Lessons 1,2, 8,9, Sakura, Kuro da bushi, Haru Kaze, and Ouma. I can GET all the sounds! I was able to play from ro otsu to go-no-hi kan. But it's irregular. I don't know WHAT I do to get it. Sometimes angles seem to do it. Sometimes they don't. And I present next week. I'm very excited/nervous. I can't guarantee how I'll do in the playing part at ALL.

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