Bamboo-In Shakuhachi Lessons
We are based in Canada with close ties with Japan, but operate in a Canadian style. Our approach is for those who want:
① a deep musical/meditative practice.
② to cater to your personal lesson schedule.
③ a de-emphasis on strict Japanese-style student-teacher relationship while studying a traditional Japanese musical instrument.
④ to study in your own home, even if you live in rural areas where there is no teacher.
⑤ techniques for your personal style.
⑥ gateway into Japan
⑦ a reasonable lesson fee.
⑧ to learn about flute construction.
A Beginner’s Guide to Shakuhachi
by
Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos
Filmed by Byron Copman
Directed by Milan Gelon
Intro/Overview Lesson: US$50.00 Donation Appreciated!
Free Lesson: Kubi Furi (Neck Vibrato)Technique
Free Lesson: Meri-Kari Technique
My Approach
I focus mainly on helping the student find their own voice by transmitting hon-kyoku, the solo zen music of the shakuhachi. This, I believe is the heart and soul of shakuhachi. My fundamental lineages are: Kinko/Myoan/Watazumi-do hon-kyoku via Katsuya Yokoyama and Kaoru Kakizakai and Atsuya Okuda. My present hitoyogiri teacher is Takeo Izumi and Shimura Zenpo in Myoan Shinpo Ryu. I have also studied and take great inspiration from other teachers such as Yoshinobu Taniguchi, Akikazu Nakamura, Kurahashi Yodo II, Takashi Tokuyama and many others. I place an equal emphasis on playing the jinashi (hocchiku) as well as jiari shakuhachi. I have also studied folk music (minyou) with Iccho Muramatsu and teach many folk pieces as well. I also teach basic ensemble playing (with koto and shamisen) as well as playing improvisationally with any other instrument(s). Although I highly stress the musical side of the shakuhachi, with a special emphasis on creating the best sound from your instrument through intensive technical analysis of tone production and awareness of instrument acoustics, I equally emphasize the spiritual/metaphysical side; my ultimate aim being to enjoy the totality of shakuhachi on several dimensions, and that means being open to learning from every situation without being tied strictly to the traditional student/teacher (iemoto) system. This is why I encourage students to visit Japan to harvest bamboo with me in order to make their own shakuhachi, and to study the language, arts, spirituality, and culture of Japan. This will deepen one’s appreciation, fascination, and enjoyment of the shakuhachi in one’s life.
Private Lessons
In 2003 I opened my home on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, British Columbia, Canada to teach shakuhachi and called it the Bamboo-In Shakuhachi Retreat Centre. In the summer season, I am open to having students come to Bamboo-In for person to person lessons. In addition, I teach privately on selected days at my conveniently accessed studio in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Please inquire about my schedule for times.
Lesson costs are:
US$70 for 1 hour.
Hitoyogiri Lessons
I teach the hitoyogiri, the direct ancient ancestor of the modern fuke shakuhachi. We study the “Te” solo pieces of the Sousa-ryu, stemming from the work of Oumori Soukun of the early Edo period, as transmitted from Yasuyuki Sagara in Tokyo. I make hitoyogiri so if you need an instrument, please inquire about my available stock. 2025 marks the 400th Anniversary of the passing of Oumori Soukun, so it’s a special time to be studying hitoyogiri with events happening all over Japan as well as in Canada.
Shinobue Lessons
I also give lessons on how to play shinobue, Japanese side-blown flute. The focus is on the basics for creating a good, solid tone, fingering techniques for clean articulation of notes, and proper Japanese musical phrasing. Japanese folk music will be studied as well as modern solo and ensemble repertoire. Please inquire about purchasing my hand-made shinobue flutes.