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March 28, 2008
2.0 Monk's Jinashi Style Shakuhachi
Here is an old 2.0 length Jinashi shakuhachi most likely made by a Komuso Monk over 100 years ago. It is not a loud performance flute or one made for study, but it certainly is full of Chikuin - bamboo spirit.
Press the play arrow on the bar below to play this video.
Old flutes like this have a rustic sound that brings to my mind a misty temple on the side of a mountain. These old flutes have all the usual bumps of a natural bore flute but they feel good in the hands. Well, in my hands at least.
Enjoy the old sound.
Namaste, Perry
Posted by Perry Yung at 10:33 AM | Comments (0)
Keeping it Real
There's a thread on the Shakuhachi Forum about practice time and what should what do when the marjority of your free time is suddenly removed by something like the arrival of a new born baby.
Well, having been there fairly recently (twice in the last five years) all I can say is, "Forget about practicing"!
My skill level of playing have pretty much froze in time from the moment my first was born. Lessons when from four a week in Japan to one ever few months these days, if I'm lucky. In my experience, every lesson requires around two additional hours of practice to absorb the material. Imagine how many hours a I was playing a day!
Nowadays, my practice time is based in "free improvisation" while playing with the kids. It's not focused but it's fun! Jet is playing a Hocchiku almost twice his height. His embouchure isn't quite right yet, he prefers to play it like a didgeridoo.
Namaste, Perry
Posted by Perry Yung at 06:48 AM | Comments (0)
March 11, 2008
Yung Flutes ShakuhachI Video
Hi All, I thought I'd try something new. Here is a short clip about a Tensei - rebirth/recycle - old Japanese shakuhachi. If it does not play automatically, just press the play arrow on the control bar at the bottom of the video image.
Please feel free to let me know if you enjoyed watching this video. If so, what did you like about it. Would you like to see more? Or, if you found it annoying!
Thanks! Perry
Posted by Perry Yung at 09:46 AM | Comments (1)
March 08, 2008
Yung Flutes Gift
Hi All,
Today, I'd like to express great gratitude for those who have supported my work. I'm very lucky to be doing what I'm doing. Those who support me in turn support my family and my endeavor to grow in this arcane process called shakuhachi crafting.
I often receive very flattering emails about my flutes, which humbles me greatly. Sometimes I receive cards which really means something because someone took the time to write! Every once in a while, someone sends me a special gift. A few years ago, jewelery maker and holistic doctor Jeff A. sent me a rattan wrapped silver ring designed after the nakatsuki on a shakuhachi. That was pretty cool.
A few months ago, someone stopped by and gave me a metal medallion imprinted with a Fuke playing a shakuhachi.
And last month, this came in the mail from Ray F. in Washington.
I had been working with Ray to get him a flute to start with. Ray also makes the Native American Flute. Here's what Ray had to say about this special gift:
"I made that from a "shed" deer antler. A deer will naturally drop it's antlers and grow new ones every year. This discarded antler was found in the woods by a friend. I like using the sheds because they will naturally bleach out a little and they gain character. That piece is the very bottom of the antler, it is sometimes called a rossette or button and like bamboo, every piece is a little different.
I love your bamboo leaf logo so thought you would like it. Don't know what you can do with it but I guess it's the thought that counts.
Yes, the thought certainly counts. But Ray goes beyond thoughts by using his time and expert hands to say a meaningful thank you.
My bamboo leaf logo is special to me. It represents not only my philosophical approach to life and work, but was greatly inspired by my daughter Sasa whose name means bamboo leaf in Japanese.
A deep bow to you my friend (s), Perry
Posted by Perry Yung at 03:56 PM | Comments (0)