尺八 (shakuhachi) music and scores.

    Back to the delights of the 尺八 ( Kanji in Japanese for shakuhachi ), a beautiful instrument and musical delight that is out there for the world to meditate to and indulge in. If only more people knew of the shakuhachi and it's allure. It is up to us, the players and admirers, to pass on the knowledge and love of this instrument of nature. It all starts with the harvest of the bamboo.

         After the digging and cleaning up, they are sorted and then the drying starts.

     These wonderful flutes take a long time to make as they need years to dry out and get ready for the drilling and cleaning. They are also heat treated and cleaned up to become the finished product we use for making such glorious music. This flute here is one I own, made by Perry Yung of Yung flutes in New York.                                    http://www.yungflutes.com  

                      This flute is an Earth model from Perry that is wonderful for meditative playing and practice. It still has the root end attached,giving it a unique look that imparts Wabi-sabi (侘寂) represents a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection.

                       The next few photos show the variety of colours and shades they can exhibit.

            Now that the flute is ready, the music is needed. Shakuhachi music scores are unlike anything a musician in the West has seen. The notation used can come from various schools in Japan, such as Myoan,Tozan or Kinko. While the notes themselves, in Kanji,are the same in mnay ways, the actual compositions are different. Last month I found some old scores from the early part of the 20th century for sale. They were shipped to me from a fellow in Japan and now are in my possession.
                                             The first few here are from 1918-1919.

                     These scores are from about 8 years later and are in wonderful condition!!!

     So now you know what shakuhachi music actually looks like!!! I was lucky to get these old scores for a good price and hope to learn one of them someday soon. While I'm certainly NOT a good player, the meditative qualities of the music and the flutes themselves make one respect and reflect on life and just being. Fortunately, music for the shakuhachi need not be in printed form at all. It can be a simple meditative and expressive form of improvisation that takes one to different times and places. Just blowing and enjoying the qualities can heal and even entertain.


                          Now to go practice the flutes themselves and get some meditation time in.

My inky meanings.

  Not a very catchy blog title for sure but apropos. It is a reference to the tattoos I wear on my body and what they mean to me, even to others. Before 2008, I'd always wanted a tattoo. But due to the religious organization I belonged to then, it was very much frowned upon, no matter where one had the ink located. Yet, I was over 40 years old. Why was I letting other people influence me and tell me NOT to get a tattoo?? Yes, it was stupid to think so. So after leaving that belief system and organization behind (not God mind you, just that group and organized religion), I decided to get my first tattoo.  As a dedicated runner , I thought that theme to be perfect. So this is what I came up with, on my right ankle.

           I looked around for a good artist to do this, even though it was not exactly a tough design. But I also was not a rich man so it needed to be something I could afford. I finally located Pearl District Tattoo in Portland and met Doug Auld. He made short work of the design, inked me and away I went with a bargain priced tattoo. My first !!! I love this tattoo and it is still gracing my foot, the primary partner I take on every run. :-)  I eventually added a moon to the design for a bit of fun as I love to run at night and early morning.


                                Tattoos can be VERY addicting to some. I'm included in that statement and was on my way to a LOT more ink over the next five years. Various designs that symbolized something special to me were inked on my arms or legs, always something that could be covered up with clothing. No neck or face tattoos for me...ever. This scarab was for my love of Journey and the role they played in the late 70's and early 80's for me. After that, I added a bit of a Van Gogh to surround it and give some colour and depth to the left arm.

 

                 After that, I had my favourite Japanese woodblock print from Hiroshige added on the left forearm. This along with the Kanji for tea,my favourite drink (especially green) ,a runners shoe, the Japanese symbols for the shakuhachi flute, a couple of dragons and a dal segno for my love of music. Tying it all together I had Japanese style clouds added in between. The Japanese aspect in my life came from my grandfather in the beginning as he lived there from the late 50's till the end of his life. Since those first photos I'd viewed as a child, I was especially fascinated by the art,music and food of that culture.  Now so much more meaning has become apparent and I hope to visit Japan soon.

So now the left arm has been completed.

The right has had it's share of ink too and is almost complete. The Native American (Haida) flute playing Raven symbolizes my love of that instrument and the music as well as that very minute bit of NA blood I have.

    Then came a compass, for the directions I''m always going, the world map, signifying my world travels and the Gustav Mahler lieder title and signature, for my love of Mahler's works and their significance in my life. Also added a Zen Enso, for my love of Buddhist philosophy and meditation.

                          Also have a band commemorating my first full and half marathons.

   AT one time I had the only tattoo I regretted getting, at least in that location: an ARRL diamond and some morse code,etc. Well yesterday I had that covered up with a fine koi and some stars that will eventually lead to a Draco constellation from the top of my right arm. This will finish my arm and complete both . My artist, Doug, had since moved on to another establishment after the closing of the Pearl store. He has now landed at The Parlour in the St Johns district of Portland,Oregon.

                                           The legs have fewer tattoos with a Welsh dragon and Scottish circle including the saltaire flag and thistle to show my heritage . Then an oak tree for my roots and family foundation .

  And those are the tattoos I have. If you count them individually there are more than 100 but taken as designs pattens, only 25. And I love them all!!! I have no plans for any further cover ups and only to finish the upper arms. The legs are going to stay as they are. For now :-)

                              Thanks for letting me share my inky history with you !!!!

Which instrument now? Tin whistles take over...

     I've so little time anymore for serious study of the instruments I want to get better on. The bagpipes were a dismal failure though I still have my chanter and will someday give it another go perhaps.The shakuhachi,my beloved Japanese flute, is fun and I love playing it for meditative and reflective moments as opposed to digging deep into the folk and Buddhist pieces it is really intended for.I play it decently this way but that is all. It is an instrument that truly deserves a lot of time and effort to master, something I don't have right now. These are the shakuhachi I own currently: two from Perry Yung ( a root Earth model 1.8 and one a Chikusing model in a 2.2) and the Yuu poly model in D, also a 1.8.

    They are my babies in a way and I adore them. But I want to be able to take an instrument with me that is reflective of not only my roots and family heritage, but easy to play and travel with. The Yuu is a good one and I take it often. My classical guitar and Fender strat are not nor is the bagpipe chanter due to it's difficulty and loud sound. So....where now? Well, being a HUGE fan of Celtic music and both folk and instrumental works from the Scotland,Wales,England and Ireland, why not get out the tin whistle I bought many months ago? I blogged once about it at the same time I bought my chanter but it was cast aside in favour of the bagpipe itch. So out it came a few days ago. A simple model by Feadog, a black standard in D.

    There are so many wonderful positives about this instrument, the best part being that it is a member of the Celtic and Scottish/Irish traditional folk scene. Second, it is quite inexpensive to purchase and travels easily no matter where one goes.Third, there are various keys and options for them, making it fun to experiment. And THE overwhelming advantage to the Irish (Scottish as well) Tin Whistle: it is easy to play!!!! And it sounds good when one practices a wee bit too. As I adore flutes of various types and styles, this most simple of examples is now receiving my attention in full.
 I have a new Clarke black model on the way from my mother's house tonight in fact as she never plays hers and is gifting it to me!! Thanks Mum!!

 So, I now have two whistles, both in D. Book wise, I own the very well known Bill Ochs edition from Clarke, the Pat Conway Soodlum's book as well as the L.E. McCullough "Complete Irish Tinwhistle Tutor". All are great for beginners such as myself. Someday I shall add the Mel Bay Essential volume to my collection.

    There you have it. Let's see how long I stay with this one. I change my mind more than some runners their socks. It is part of me and my desire to explore every facet of my life on this planet. I crave knowledge and learning. Perhaps this instrument will work out for me.

In the meantime, here are a few links to videos of some amazing tin whistle playing an also some forums and pages.


Mary Bergin playing the tin whistle

More Mary Bergin Irish traditional folk music

Chiff and fipple-a Whistle web forum and home

The Whistleshop




These are just a few to get one started. Now off to have fun learning all I can about this instrument!!!

   Oh, and now that the weather has changed to colder temps, I find my kilt wearing experiences to be so much  better. Today, this was what I wore to work the store,Lingonberries,for a short while.

On a running note, I have finally been able to put together a decent string of miles to make 25 so far, with a hopeful 5 tomorrow to make 30. It has been quite awhile since being able to hit that total and I'm glad things are getting better.

Kilt season begins NOW!!!!

Usually I wear a kilt once or twice a week depending on weather and temperature. Summer is a ghastly time for me with the heat making the kilts,which are either heavier wool or acrylic, very warm to don all day long. But, when autumn,winter and early spring are here...hell yes I'm in my kilts!!!  Now that we have witnessed and felt the cool temps arrive and I'm giddy to get out the kilts and sporrans to wear for the next six months! Now I wish I had more of them but will be happy with the three tartans I own for now. At least until I get some brass to buy a few more this season. :-)

     So today I decided to go a bit more formal with the outfit and steer away from casual. This usually means long hose,flashes and a nice sweater or a more formal look. This was what I came up with:
A Black Watch tartan, Allen Edmonds wingtips, Stillwater brown sporran and grey hose. The green sweater looked decent and was perfect for the temperatures today. I added a fine pewter Welsh dragon to my lapel to complete the outfit.

  I felt this outfit and kilt to be fine for a cool yet not cold October day. This weekend I hope to don my family tartan, the Ross clan, and use the tweed waistcoat and appropriate tie and long shirt. Should be dry out and about 65­°, perfect for it!!!

   Now to go search ebay and the other online vendors for reasonable priced kilts to add to the collection of Scottish goodies!!!

                                                    Until next time , here are a few kilt pics!!

            
                                                                         Slàinte mhor!