I can't play Kan on. What to do?

Q & A: I can't play kan on (higher octave) well. What can I do?

Answer: Playing kan on well takes a considerable amount of time, usually a few years (or decades if you have developed bad habits!). To get started, focus on diaphragmatic breathing and propelling the air from your core muscles. As you play high notes, try squeezing your glutes and bending your knees slightly to engage your core muscles. While watching my face and fingers on YouTube, keep in mind that the most important aspect of playing the shinobue actually occurs in my lower body, which you can’t see. Essentially, all the power in shinobue playing comes from the lower body.