|
The flute is both an ancient and modern musical
instrument. Various versions of flutes have
existed throughout history in virtually all
cultures: Indian, Chinese, South American,
Irish, African. In some parts of the world
their flutes been have transposed into their
own national art form, like the Japanese shakuhachi
and the Native American flute. In the Western
world, Theobald Friedrich Boehm is the man
behind the their modern adaptation (what most
westerners think of as a flute). Flutes come
in all sizes and shapes and are made of any
of a number of materials like clay, wood,
nickel, silver, gold, pearl, plastic, ceramic
and bamboo. Some are small, like the ocarina,
penny or tin whistle, pan flute, recorder
or nose flute. There are many different fingerings.
Some play chromatic and some are pentatonic
scales, and how they finger varies with the
model. Chromatics can play each sound in major
or minor keys making them quite versatile.
Some are players by ear while others playing
primary by sheet music. Alto, tenor, bass...
you name it. You can play solo, in duets or
a trio, in an ensemble, in a jazz band or
brass band, opera, or orchestra...(continuted below)
|
The Shakuhachi: What is it? The place to find out is that fountain of knowledge called the Internet.
By: Jesse S. Somer
|
|
When most people used to hear a new word the most obvious reaction was to go straight to a dictionary and find out what it meant or what the object was. These days you could go to on-line dictionaries, but even that is often unnecessary. Just type the word into your Web search engine (E.g., Google) and see what comes up. How hard is that?
Well, fortunately I know what a shakuhachi is but I dont think Id be wrong to say that many of my fellow humans have no conception of what this magical instrument is. http://www.shakuhachi.com/TOC-MM.html is the first site that comes up on Google and its quite a good example of how extensive the knowledge of something youve never heard of can be, as well as how to create a thorough website. Although Shakuhachi-Traditional Japanese Bamboo Flute is essentially a commercial site that hopes for visitors to buy its products, there is access to a stockpile of historical information as well as links to all sorts of musicians and books related to the subject.
This Tai Hei Shakuhachi site is full of photographs of this beautiful looking and of course sounding instrument. The reason I am writing this article is because the moment when I heard this instrument played by the first non-Japanese Grand Master, it simply changed my life. His name is Ryley Lee and what I witnessed at his concert was the most focused, peaceful and magical display of music that I could have ever imagined. This flute only has four holes; you should hear how many sounds could come out of it!
On this website under a section called Endorsements (obviously they want some credibility when selling their instruments) a number of master players comment on the Tai Hei shakuhachis. Ryley Lee was on this list and what he said about their instruments was quite incredible; these guys must really know their stuff. A good sign that the site is worthy of mention is the fact that they endorse other people and their products. Theyre not just one-track-minded capitalists thinking only of their own pockets.
I was able to click onto a link for Ryley Lee where it then listed thirty of his recordings for sale (with pictures) as well as his PhD thesis that looks at past and present processes of transmission within the tradition of the shakuhachi honkyoku ("original pieces"). Zen Buddhist priests of nothingness played these songs since at least the fifteenth century who believed that playing the shakuhachis music was a form of meditation and a medium in which to attain enlightenment. Pretty cool huh.
So, next time you hear a new word or are told about something that is not in your field of knowledge you know where to go. If youre searching for good websites or you want to see some examples of successful ones, look for extensive and creative examples where obvious time and effort has been put into its construction. Anyone can create a website, but do some research and youll see that some people have really done their homework as well as displaying aesthetically pleasing imagery for the visitor.
|
|
|
|
Jesse S. Somer M6.Net http://www.m6.net Somer is technophobe learning about the power of the Web that is even accessible by people like him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
...flutes will
play in harmony with other woodwinds, strings,
guitar, piccolo, and percussion instruments
when used to accompany. As a flute plays one
note at a time (can't play chords), the flautist
can make beautiful melodies by playing with
others. Flutes have been used with just about
every genre of music imaginable, new age,
classical, rock, punk, hip hop, country western,
Christmas, wedding, sonata or folk... any
song. From Jethro Tull to the virtuoso composer
Mozart who wrote his famous Magic Flute masterpiece...
to Beethoven (who was blind in his later years).
Are you a student, teacher or both? If you
are a self learner, you could study a free
lesson found on the Internet. Or you could
learn and buy sheet music, a chart, and perhaps
a complete curriculum from a company that
specializes in correspondence courses. There
is no shortage of companies that you can buy
accessories from like cases, printable sheet
music, stands, new or used flutes. Gemeinhardt,
Armstrong and Yamaha are each a popular flute
maker today.
|
|
