Twenty Twelve

Fantastic - a new year has begun! Welcome to 2012!

I'm excited about this year. Its going to be a continuation of the previous year which was none too shabby. Of course, nothing really ever 'starts' does it? And nothing ever ends, how could it? So lucky for me, more good times with good friends, good shakuhachi to play, good pieces to learn, good people to play and learn with are likely ahead as they have been this recent past.

That's the best part of shakuhachi for me, the people. The people that I have shakuhachi in common with are more precious to me than all the texture, timbre, volume and tone of the bamboo flute. We do love those qualities of the flute or we wouldn't have been drawn to explore its mysteries but its the people that the bamboo brought me in contact with that have added immeasureably to my life. And its because of my shakuhachi friends and community that I practice and play.

To all my shakuhachi friends near and far, thanks for a great 2011 and may we have a joyful 2012 together.