Happy Anniversary Shakuhachi Journey!

We have been traveling along the bamboo path for a year now and what a great adventure it has been!

Taking stock, here's an inventory of the first year in my shakuhachi journey:

Teachers: After beginning with face to face lessons locally, I eventually expanded my choice of teachers thanks to technology and finally settled comfortably with Michael Gould as my shakuhachi teacher. Michael lives in Ohio and I meet with him for lessons twice a month via Skype. His teaching style is an excellent match for my learning style.

Flutes: My main flute is a 1.8 that was recommended to me by Al Ramos and which I enjoy as my all round flute. I also have accumulated five other flutes in a variety of lengths and styles: a moderately used 30 year old 1.5 purchased from Jeff Cairns, two Chinese root end shakuhachi, a 1.6 and 2.1, from Ken LaCosse, and a 2.4 Earth flute from Perry Young as well as a 2.4 given to me by Jacques Belanger.

Friends: I have made many over the past year, thanks to the forum, this blog and the connections made possible in this digital age.

Skills: Well, let's see, in the shak world, to play for a year is not a very long time at all and my skills clearly demonstrate this fact. I can play in tune now, most of the time and I have a fairly firm handle on the two octaves and the common notes played in meri. I have played simple Japanese folk songs until my neighbours have likely memorized them note for note and I have made the acquaintance of a few honkyoku which always give me a deep pleasure to play.

I have enjoyed documenting this first year of shakuhachi here on the blog and hope you found the blog interesting and maybe at times even helpful. Thank you for coming on the Shakuhachi Journey with me and please continue to visit the blog as it enters its second year.