What does it take to get good at shinobue flute??

What it takes to get good at shinobue

The following factors determine whether someone becomes skilled at playing the shinobue... or do they? 🤨

Talent

You might feel like your hands are too small for shinobue. You might think your lip shape is not good for shinobue. You might have asthma and think you are disadvantaged. You might think you don't have the patience to learn anything new. You might even think you are not smart enough to figure out a new instrument.

But does talent really matter?? Listen...

I taught voice lessons for decades. Some people have a naturally beautiful singing voice compared to others. They had the talent they were born with.

But it was NOT always the people with the most beautiful voices that became great singers.

Past Musical Experience

You might think, "I can't learn the shinobue because I've never learned any other instrument." Sure, someone with an extensive musical background might be able to learn the shinobue faster than you. But that's only because that person spent hours learning about rhythm, pitches, etc., and how to establish a daily practice routine with another instrument. We all have to go through that period no matter which instrument you start with.

Age

I touched a shinobue for the first time at age 54. You can start playing shinobue at age 60, 70, even 80 and beyond!! I taught piano and voice lessons to people in their 80s!! Don't discriminate yourself because of your age!

So, what DOES it take to become good at shinobue??

It's your love for shinobue.

Yes, LOVE

Well, it's actually practice, but...

you don't even feel like you are practicing when you love something.

So you "practice" without feeling like it's a dreadful chore.

I want to share a story about my voice student, "Lynn." Lynn may not have had the most beautiful voice, but her love for singing was undeniable. She would often put on YouTube karaoke and sing her heart out in her bedroom. Lynn also enjoyed singing with her friends and they would often get together to sing in their bedrooms. In addition to joining the chorus groups at her high school, Lynn loved singing along to the radio in her car and listening to music while working out. She drew inspiration from some of the best singers in the industry, including people like Beyoncé and Broadway stars.

Was she thinking she was "practicing"? No. But she was practicing all the time, because SHE LOVED SINGING.

And she became extremely good at it.

And her singing was filled with love and positive energy. She never sounded like she "had to sound good". She simply enjoyed singing.

And when she sounded "not so great", she just laughed it off and tried it again. Or she just moved onto another song.

Did you catch Ms. Sarah Akiyoshi's interview Part 6? It was the final video in her interview series. When asked "What is one piece of advice you would give to beginners?" she said, "Practice EVERY DAY."

Practicing every day can be tough. Some days, I just don't feel like practicing the shinobue. But I still make time for it because I love it and I want to get better. Even if it's just for a few minutes, I'll play it. When I'm tired and not in the mood to practice, I sometimes get curious about how bad I might sound, so I play just to find out!

So, love your shinobue a lot! And I guarantee you will be good at it!!

(Ms. Sarah Akiyoshi giving advice to shinobue lovers.)