If You're An Adult Shakuhachi Student, You Have The Advantage!

You Can’t Teach An Old Dog A New Trick

To me, that above statement is abhorrent. There is enough negativity in the world and I really despise those types of statements. It is impossible. As a quick side note, when I was 16, I had a dog that was 12 years of age. I taught her how to “shake.” Check-mate, proverb.

Are you an adult who has started shakuhachi?

Starting to learn music can be and is daunting for most people! Music is a new language and language learning is not easy. Now being and adult with responsibilities who probably has a family and a full-time job, it seems almost impossible to learn a new instrument. Not to mention learning an instrument as difficult as the Shakuhachi. However, I am here to help change your mind and show you the amazing advantages you have learning Shakuhachi as an adult!

Okay, here is the biggest advantage. For the most part, you are in charge of your own life schedule. Generally speaking, you can work around what you already have going on and make practicing the shakuhachi a daily to do thing.

“Siri, add to calendar, practice shakuhachi from 5pm to 6pm”

A child, especially one who is not of working age is in no position able to buy things they need or want on their own. As an adult, we make our own money and we can make those decision of buying a fancy meal or some shakuhachi lessons or even a new but old shakuhachi. This is obviously a huge advantage but let us move on to an even bigger advantage.

As an adult, you have done the schooling already. You know how to teach yourself. It is most likely the case that you are already equipped with the skills it takes to critical think which means you can learn on a much higher level than kids can and most likely… at a faster pace, believe it or not!

“I think therefore, I am. I shakuhachi, therefore…”

Here is another big one…obscure concepts and out of the box think are easier for you. Remember spacial reasoning, ethics, world history, shakespeare, any great novel you have read, and not to mention some amazing films you have seen. All those things help influence your approach to music. I didn’t even mention the masterpieces of art and music you have seen and heard. Most kids don’t have that advantage unless their parents are specifically exposing to them but here is another one you have over them, wisdom.

Kids can have a lot of knowledge, sure, but wisdom comes with time. Those grey hairs are badges of honor. No hair? That is sage-hood! Knowledge is like having a map. Wisdom is knowing where to go.

As an adult you have years of experience with music most likely; listening, going to concerts, and maybe even learning a previous instrument. This means you probably have a good intuition of what “feels” right. One of my favorite phrases, “just feel that note.” “Just feel that phrase.” If you gut has a feeling, it is probably right.

Are you an adult and in the beginning stages of learning shakuhachi? Leave a comment!

Robuki for 10, Thanks for reading.

with warmest regards,

Shawn Renzoh Head