When choosing a shinobue flute, start by deciding on the type
Shinobue flutes come in many varieties, each suited for different styles of music. The right flute depends on what you intend to play, so choosing one that matches your purpose is essential. For beginners, deciding which type to pick can be challenging, but starting with a flute designed for your style of music can make learning easier.
①Select Type: Choose a flute type that suits your musical purpose.
②Select Size: Pick a size that fits your hand and playing style.
③Select Grade: Choose a grade (quality level) that aligns with your skill level and budget
When choosing a shinobue flute, start by deciding on the type
For Musical Accompaniment (Classical Style)
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Uses: Shinobue flutes are often used in traditional Japanese performances such as festival music, kagura (Shinto music and dance), and lion dance.
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Characteristics: The fingerholes are evenly sized and spaced, but they don’t align with the Western musical scale (do-re-mi). Pitch can vary significantly based on region and maker, with no standardized tuning.
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How to Choose: For festivals or kagura performances, it’s best to consult with group members and select a flute of the same brand for consistent sound and tuning.
For Singing in the Key of Doremi
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Purpose: Ideal for playing nagauta (long song) and folk songs. This type of shinobue has differently sized and spaced finger holes, allowing for additional semitones.
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Features: Available in "Doremi" tuning, aligned with the Western scale for compatibility with J-pop and ensemble playing with Western instruments, typically tuned to A=442Hz.
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Note: While there is sometimes a distinction between "singing" and "Doremi" tunings, both are often collectively referred to as "singing" tunings.
Difference Between 6- and 7-Hole Shinobue
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7-Hole Shinobue Characteristics: The 7-hole shinobue is commonly used for singing and for flutes in the Doremi key. It allows for specific notes that a 6-hole shinobue cannot produce, making it a more versatile choice for melodies.
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Choosing 7-Hole for Singing: For singing or Doremi-tuned shinobue, especially if you're new to shinobue music or unfamiliar with the fingerings, a 7-hole shinobue is a safer option to ensure you can reach all required notes.
Characteristics of the 6-Hole Shinobue
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Do Re Mi Compatibility: The 6-hole shinobue can also play the Do Re Mi scale, which is why many traditional bamboo flutes, like the Indian bansuri and South American flauta, typically use 6 holes.
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Ease of Use with Widely Spaced Holes: For lower-pitched flutes, where finger holes are spaced farther apart, the 6-hole design is often preferred. The 7-hole version can be harder to manage with the little finger in these cases, making the 6-hole flute easier to play in certain tonal ranges
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