SHAKUHACHI LESSONS IN LONDON

The shakuhachi (尺八) is a Japanese end-blown bamboo flute. It was originally used by Zen Buddhist monks as a tool for meditation and has a long history in both traditional and contemporary music. The instrument is known for its rich, breathy tone and the way it invites sounds at the edge of control—breath, silence, the environment around you—into the music itself.

LESSONS

I offer shakuhachi lessons for students of all levels, from complete beginners to advanced players. I have been playing shakuhachi for over ten years and currently study with Kakizakai Kaoru. I previously studied with Clive Bell.

Lessons can be tailored to your interests—whether you want to learn traditional honkyoku (solo meditation pieces), min'yo (folk music), contemporary repertoire, or explore improvisation. I teach in person from my home in East London or online via Zoom. Individual lessons are typically 60 minutes and cost £40-60 depending on your circumstances. I have an instrument available for you to use during your lesson if needed.

If you are interested in lessons or have questions about getting started, get in touch. I'm also happy to offer free advice if you are considering buying your first shakuhachi and want guidance on what to look for.

MY APPROACH

I am fascinated by the aesthetic in traditional shakuhachi music, which plays with the threshold between the controlled and the uncontrolled, between the human and the more-than-human world. I love the richness of sound the instrument produces from its simple construction, how every shakuhachi is unique, and how every note blown is a collaboration between performer, instrument, and place.

I play honkyoku, old traditional solo shakuhachi repertoire from Zen monasteries, as well as min'yo (folk music). I enjoy long, unhurried plays. I improvise on shakuhachi and electronics with a portable setup which I take outdoors, and I love collaborating with other artists, discovering new sides to the shakuhachi.

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SHAKUHACHI FOR SALE

I occasionally acquire used flutes and work to restore and improve them. I have many years of carpentry experience and take a huge amount of care not to undo any of the masterful work of the shakuhachi maker and only to repair damage or make adjustments. Sometimes, I sell shakuhachi on behalf of others, or simply there are instruments I no longer play as much as I used to. Below you can see the flutes I currently have for sale with a short description. For more photos, additional measurements, or recordings of specific sounds or fingerings, simply message me and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

All flutes come in a plastic bag but no additional accessories unless otherwise mentioned, and I have a stock of cases, bags, and caps available to buy. Payments are via my paypal shop and I have shipped shakuhachi to the UK and internationally and take care to package the flutes accordingly.

AVAILABLE SHAKUHACHI

NEW 1.7 Takeharu (竹治) in Eb - £750. Weighs 355g. Sharp, clear, articulate sounds. Does everything a shakuhachi needs to do and can play all genres with equal depth - dai-kan register is a effortless and in tune. It is extremely responsive and a joy to play. Silver joint, kinko utaguchi. Comes with leather utaguchi cap.

RECORDINGS AND PHOTOS

NEW 1.9 Shougetsu (松月) in C# - £450. Weighs 354g, a wonderful and playful shakuhachi with a warm, woody sound, but clear intonation and projection. Otsu register not as bright as in more modern jiari, but is still a solid instrument and would be excellent for min'yo or for a change of scenery when playing honkyoku.

RECORDINGS AND PHOTOS

RECENTLY SOLD

SOLD 2.1 Chikusen Tamai (竹仙) in B - £1100. Weighs 491g. A serious, professional instrument, masterfully repaired and fine-tuned by Monty Levenson. Rich, well-rounded sound, perfectly in-tune and fully resonating across the octaves. It is an effortless instrument that will impress. It is extremely responsive and a joy to play. Silver joint with rattan bindings, tozan utaguchi, all cracks fully stabilised and bound with inlaid rattan bindings. Comes with silk utaguchi cap.

SOLD 1.8 To-sui (都水) in D - £800. Weighs 492g. A professional, well-rounded instrument with excellent intonation and projection and a very powerful Ro. This instrument has been professionally restored and finetuned by Monty Levenson. One crack stabilised with inlaid rattan. Plays so easily across all octaves, has a good weight to it, and projects well. Perfect curvature and node alignment, has a silver joint and tozan utaguchi. Comes with black leather utaguchi cap.

SOLD 1.8 Takeharu (竹治) in D - £500. Weighs 294g. Clear, responsive, articulate flute with a strong Ro. A bit on the smaller side and fairly light, would suit people with smaller embouchure. Ticks all the right boxes, but no more - a good instrument for beginner/advanced students or as a reliable travel / spare. Sterling silver joint, kinko utaguchi. Comes with black leather utaguchi cap.

SOLD Chokusui (直水) 2.3, a thinner shakuhachi in the kezuriné style (shaved roots). At 370g it is surprisingly responsive with open holes; meri notes are less stable, this flute is less suitable for contemporary works and more suitable for jinashi-style playing. A curious creation by a master maker. Comes with leather utaguchi cap.

SOLD Shouzan (昌山) 2.2, tuned at 442hz. A robust, masterfully made shakuhachi which plays comfortably and confidently across all octaves. Strong focus, perfectly in tune. A bit on the chunky side at 455g, but a force to be reckoned with.