NEW! Hitoyogiri Course!
A image of a young samurai playing his hitoyogiri.
What is a Hitoyogiri Shakuhachi?
The hitoyogiri shakuhachi was originally known simply as the "shakuhachi;" it later came to be called the hitoyogiri to distinguish it from the Fuke shakuhachi that came into vogue during the Edo era. Though very similar to the shakuhachi we know, it is also distinct in several ways. It is shorter - more portable - and has a higher, lighter sound, like birdsong. Its solo repertoire clearly influenced the shakuhachi honkyoku that came later, but it mostly does without the half-tones that were popular during the Edo era (the songs are all pre-Edo), providing an often joyful and majestic complement to the shakuhachi honkyoku pieces. Again, though players and composers certainly had a sensitivity that could be called "spiritual" - an posture of attentiveness to nature - there was no official religious affiliation as there was with the shakuhachi. It also has a narrower octaval range (1.5), but is very flexible in that it is played using five different modes, playing their respective pieces in time with the yearly cycle of seasons. Its repertoire, however, completely died out during the Edo era. ~ Nick Bellando (https://www.hon-on.com/hitoyogiri.html)
Nick working at his home in Aomori.
The Course
We are joined by Nick Bellando who has been reviving the ancient melodies of Hitoyogiri. The course will be a group lesson setting every week. The course will take place over three months in the fall of 2024. We will meet every week for one hour long lessons. There will be one-morning time class (Japan Time) and one evening Course (Japan Time) both covering the same materials. Each lesson will also be recorded and can be watched back at a later time, in case you miss one or forget some of the materials mentioned in the course.
August 205 Hitoyogiri Course Level 1 — Shawn Tairyu Head (shawnheadmusic.com)
Hitoyogiri Oshiki Professional 3D Printed — Shawn Tairyu Head (shawnheadmusic.com)
NEXT BEGINNERS COURSE PENDING!
Q: What if I can’t make those times?
Are you worried about missing out on valuable lessons due to conflicting schedules? Don't fret! We understand the importance of flexibility in today's fast-paced world. That's why we have made it a priority to record all our lessons, ensuring that you can access them at your convenience.
We believe that education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their busy routines. By offering recorded lessons, we aim to provide you with the flexibility to learn at your own pace. Whether you have professional commitments or personal responsibilities, you no longer have to worry about missing out on vital knowledge.
Our dedicated team is committed to capturing every lesson in high-quality recordings, ensuring that you receive the same immersive experience as those attending the live sessions. You can trust us to deliver the content in a format that is easily accessible and user-friendly, empowering you to learn at your convenience.
To access the recorded lessons, use the google drive link sent to you after each session. There, you will find a comprehensive library of past lessons, sorted by date and topic. With just a few clicks, you can dive into the wealth of knowledge our courses offer, even if you couldn't attend the live sessions.
Moreover, we encourage interaction and participation even if you watch the recorded lessons. Engaging with your fellow students and instructors is vital to your growth and development. Therefore, we have incorporated discussion boards and forums on our online platform, where you can connect with your peers and ask questions about the recorded material.
Sign up here https://www.shawnheadmusic.com/store/hitoyogiri-course-number-1-with-nick-and-shawn
The Materials
We will be using a collection of Edo manuals and score books as our primary resources for teaching Hitoyogiri. One major problem is that no one has been seriously playing hitoyogiri in the classical style for over 100 years! It has been very difficult to grasp an understanding of how the music is to be played because all of the manuals assume that you are already studying with a teacher. So Nick and Shawn have joined forces with their combined shakuhachi skills and shomyo knowledge to develop a systematic approach to understanding and reviving these ancient melodies. Books and materials will be provided for students before lessons which are included in the cost of the course.
The Cost
The Cost of the 3-month course is $500 dollars. This gives you access to…
12 lessons, the book materials
a discord private community where all things hitoyogiri can be discussed
free online practice rooms with fellow hitoyogiri learners
Question and answer sessions at the end of each lesson.
Where to Get a Hitoyogiri
The hitoyogiri used for the course is a high-quality 3D printed instrument, created by Nick Bellando.
They are exact replicas of an Edo period hitoyogiri, with up to 1/10th of a millimeter accuracy.
The price of these 3D printed models is $450 USD.
Buy the Flute here: https://www.shawnheadmusic.com/store/hitoyogiri-oshiki-student-model
Where Will the Course Take Place?
The course will be held on the Renzoh Studio Discord page which can be found here.