Are you playing shinobue in tune? Here is how you can find out!
When you play the middle C key on an electric piano keyboard, it produces a perfectly in-tune pitch. However, this is not true for many other instruments, including the shinobue. For example, while you can play the note Ryo on 1 on an 8 hon choshi, this doesn’t guarantee that the note C will sound correct. The performer must learn how to play in tune with the desired pitch.
Why do we need to play on the pitch?
When you play out of pitch:
You will sound out of tune with the karaoke track you are using.
You will sound out of tune with other musicians in an ensemble setting (for example, with your pianist).
It may indicate that your technique needs improvement, such as the positioning of the shinobue.
How can I find out if I'm playing on the pitch?
Here are the three steps to find out if you are playing on the pitch.
Find your hon choshi by looking at the kanji number at the top of shinobue. You can use this chart I created for you to read the kanji.
2. Determine the scale to which your hon choshi is tuned. Below are the popular hon choshi, along with their corresponding scales and note names.
3 (三）hon choshi; G major (G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G)
6 （六）hon choshi: B flat (Bb) major (Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb)
7 （七）hon choshi: B major (B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B)
8 （八）hon choshi: C major (C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C)
For example, if you have an 8 hon choshi, playing ryo on 1 or kan on 1 should produce the note C. If you play ryo on 2 or kan on 2, the note D should sound, and so forth.
3. Download the insurer app (it's free!) - for iPhone users. For Android users, download Soundcorset. (more on this app at the bottom of this blog).
Check if you are playing in tune. For example, if you are playing an 8 hon choshi and you play ryo on 1 or kan on 1, the insTuner should say "C".
If you are perfectly in pitch, insTuner will light up with a green alphabet. If you are close, it will show the alphabet in yellow. If you are barely hitting the mark, it shows in red.
Important:
Since shinobue is a handcrafted instrument, it's NOT perfectly in tune like a digital piano keyboard.
YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE PERFECTLY IN PITCH ALL THE TIME!
If insTuner shows in green or yellow, it's good! If it's red or you see the wrong alphabet (for example, you should be playing C, but it shows up as B), then you should correct your tuning.
How to correct your tuning
The most common tuning problem happens when you are covering the utakuchi (mouth hole) too much. This will make your pitch flat (your pitch is lower than it should be). InsTuner vertical bar will lean toward the left and say "Tune Up".
Fix this issue by:
Turning the shinobue toward the audience just a little bit.
Bring up the shinobue just a hair up on your lower lip (if it's too low on your lower lip, your lower lip covers the utakuchi too much.
Be sure your breath is supported by your diaphragm (and not sounding super weak).
If you are too sharp (your pitch is higher than it should be), the insTuner vertical bar will lean toward the right and say "Tune Down".
Address this issue by not blowing too hard with your mouth; instead, use diaphragmatic breathing and engage your core for support.
If you find that you cannot hit a certain note on the shinobue in pitch, no matter what you do, it may be that your instrument is slightly out of tune. This is more common than you might think. However, with practice, you can develop more advanced techniques to compensate for the imperfections of the shinobue. After all, the unique characteristics and flaws of this primitive and simple instrument from nature are what make the shinobue truly special!
***For Soundcorset users***
After downloading the app, navigate to the settings on the right side. Make the adjustments shown in the picture below.
