Welcome to Shingetsu Flutes ME
page, bellow you will find information about me and some reviews of my
work. Here is a link to the official website shingetsu-flutes.com
which
has free instructional info and videos on the "GUIDES" page. You can also hear me play
more music at Myspace.com
Jon playing at the "suizen" rock
monument at Kyoto Myoan shakuhachi temple
Jon is a full time student of Ronnie Nyogetsu Reishin Seldin at the Ki Sui An Dojo located in New York City, Manhattan. Jon is currently the only American shakuhachi maker who is on his way to mastering the traditional music. Jon studies in the Jin Nyodo lineage which contains many forms of Zen honkyoku music as well as extremely difficult and technical ensemble music played with Koto and Shamisen. When Jon's not playing he's making shakuhachi as his full time profession and sole source of income. Jon crafts all natural bamboo flutes leaving the inside as unaltered as possible. When Jon receives his instructors license he hopes to provide the full traditional shakuhachi experience to his future students thus changing his proffesion from maker to teacher.
Reviews Of Jon's Work
"Buffalo"
Poet David Acevedo
Dave playing a flute I made at the Bowery Poetry Club,
NYC Manhattan '07
I am not a very technical
player, but my spirit to explore the shakuhachi flute is great. Being
able to produce wonderful sounds without any formal training is a big
achievement for me and playing the flute that you made is an amazing
feeling. Before even playing the flute I could sense the hard work that
was put into it. I like the fact that there is no Ji paste, lacquer or
inlay leaving the bamboo pure, in and out.
The size of the flute is
much shorter than most shakuhachi available and I am able to play it
very well as I have small hands. When I first picked it up and began
playing and listening I soon lost my self within the experience. It is
by far better than any other flutes I have received and I appreciate
the effort you go through in your pursuit of sound. These words are
written in truth to you, Jon from one friend to another; I am very
grateful to having met you.
Always,
David Acevedo
Brian Purdy
from HarpGear.com
Brian playing a shakuhachi I made
at the Ki Sui An shakuhachi camp '07
I like the looks of
this shakuhachi and I play this one a lot because I like the feel. It's
hard for me to put it down. I got in touch with your Sensei and I am
going to try to do the mail lessons. I just got back from Colorado and
I really had a great time with the flute there. The flute is really
enjoyable to play and it makes me want to practice even more.
Thanks Jon!
James Orfanella
James playing a shakuhachi I
made at the Pennsylvania Washin Ryu Karate Dojo for Master Ochiai Sensei's
first visit!
I own several of Jon's flutes and
have tried many more and each one
is truly amazing and unique. He seems to have a natural connection to
the bamboo and the ability to bring the most out of each flute he
creates. As a professional musician and teacher for over 20 years I
can appreciate his accuracy in tuning and attention to details
pertaining to timbre and response. Since I got my first flute from
Jon, I don't think a single day has gone by that I haven't spent a
significant amount of time playing. I only regret not having more
time in the day to practice. Thank you Jon and I look forward to many
more years of shakuhachi.
Shakuhachi Flute Fundamentals
The shakuhachi is a Japanese
end blow embouchure controlled bamboo flute. It is one of
the most dynamic instruments and the first melodic instrument used in
Buddhism. The shakuhachi flute starts out as a tube with no finger
holes. When one blows across the sharp edge at one end a tone is
produced. This tone that is produced is the fundamental key of the
instrument which is determined by the length and width of the bamboo.
Next, finger holes are placed up the tube in specific locations which
are determined by the dimensions. There are four finger holes on the
front and one thumb hole on the back. The basic notes produce a Minor
Pentatonic scale. A flute with the fundamental of "D" would produce the
notes; [D], F, G, A, C, and D again on the thumb hole.
Shakuhachi flutes, through various techniques, can produce other
western notes as well as a myriad of micro-tones which are
degrees of pitch between pure western notes. This is primarily made
possible by the blowing edge which allows the player to "bend" the
pitch by lowering or raising the head. This is done alone or most often
in combination with a slight uncovering of a hole or in closing a
specific combination of holes.
The shakuhachi has a first harmonic, a second harmonic and some third
harmonic notes. What this means is that when one blows into the
shakuhachi using the minimal amount of air required to make a sound,
one will produce what is called the first harmonic. When one increases
the air pressure eventually the first harmonic makes a jump into a
higher sound. In Japanese this second harmonic or higher sound is
called "Kan" and the first harmonic is called "Otsu" . With even more
concentrated air some third harmonic notes are achievable. There are
specific cross fingerings that produce third harmonic notes that are
used in shakuhachi music quite often.
Thank you for
endeavoring to understand this wonderful instrument!
)
