Shakuhachi master Kaizan Harago shares some practical tips for beginners.
When you begin learning the shakuhachi, one of the first things to become familiar with is how to hold the instrument comfortably.
It is easy to focus on producing a beautiful sound, but before that, it is important to develop a relaxed and stable playing position. When your posture, finger placement, and the angle of the shakuhachi feel natural, breathing becomes easier and your sound can gradually become more consistent.
There is no single position that is exactly right for everyone. The most comfortable way to hold the shakuhachi may vary depending on your body and the size of your hands.
In this lesson, we will look at the basic principles of holding the shakuhachi and help you find a position that feels natural, stable, and relaxed.
1. Correct Position
Begin with a comfortable, relaxed posture.
Hold the shakuhachi naturally in front of your body. Keep your shoulders relaxed and avoid unnecessary tension in your arms. Whether you are sitting or standing, your posture should allow you to breathe freely.
Rather than gripping the shakuhachi firmly, think of your hands as gently supporting it.
At first, do not worry about finding a “perfect” position. The goal is simply to find a stable position without creating unnecessary tension in your body.
For Right-Handed Players
Place your right hand on the lower part of the shakuhachi.
Position your middle finger between the first and second finger holes, counting from the top of the instrument. Place your thumb directly behind this point.
These two fingers—the middle finger and thumb—play an important role in supporting the shakuhachi.
Try to let them carry most of the instrument’s weight. This allows the other fingers to remain free and move easily when opening and closing the finger holes.
If all of your fingers are being used to hold the shakuhachi, finger movement can become slow and uncomfortable. A stable two-finger support makes playing much easier.
2. Finger Placement
The finger holes on a shakuhachi are relatively large compared with those on many other wind instruments.
A common beginner mistake is trying to cover the holes with the fingertips. Because the holes are large, this can easily leave small gaps and allow air to escape.
Instead, use the soft, fleshy part of your finger pad to cover each hole.
Let your fingers rest naturally over the holes and apply only enough pressure to create a complete seal. There is no need to press hard.
Using the finger pads makes it easier to cover the holes fully and helps produce a clearer, more stable sound. It also allows your hands to stay relaxed, so you can focus more on playing and less on whether the holes are properly covered.
3. Instrument Angle
The angle of the shakuhachi has a strong influence on the sound.
Bring the top of the instrument gently toward your lower lip and chin, and let the shakuhachi rest naturally in front of your body.
Even a small change in angle can change the way your breath reaches the blowing edge. Because of this, there is no need to find the “correct” angle all at once.
Instead, make small adjustments and notice which position feels most natural and comfortable.
Rather than trying to reproduce an exact angle, focus on finding a position that allows you to breathe freely and hold the instrument without tension.
4. Grip Pressure
Use only as much pressure as you need to keep the shakuhachi stable.
Holding the instrument too tightly creates tension in the fingers, wrists, arms, and shoulders. It can also make breathing less natural and finger movement more difficult.
As your playing develops, your fingers will need to move smoothly and quickly between notes.
For this reason, it is helpful from the beginning to think of the shakuhachi as something you support gently rather than something you squeeze.
A light but stable grip will give your fingers much more freedom to move.
5. Common Mistakes
One of the most common beginner mistakes is using too much tension.
You may find yourself gripping the shakuhachi too tightly, raising your shoulders, or pressing too firmly on the finger holes.
Another common problem is leaving a small gap over one of the holes without realizing it. Even a very small opening can affect the sound.
If the sound is not coming out as expected, do not focus only on your breath. Take a moment to check your finger placement, posture, and the angle of the instrument as well.
If something feels uncomfortable, relax your hands and shoulders and reset your position.
Learning the shakuhachi is also a process of gradually becoming familiar with the relationship between your body and the instrument. Small adjustments can make a surprisingly large difference.
Good luck, and happy playing!
Ready to make your first sound? Now that you know how to hold the shakuhachi comfortably, the next step is learning how to direct your breath across the blowing edge. Continue with A Beginner’s Guide to Playing the Shakuhachi: How to Blow.
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