About Shinobue

Uta and Hayashi Shinobue:
"Uta"means song, and "Hayashi" means festival. Uta shinobuecan be used to play almost any kind of music, since they are tuned properly and in pitch. In contrast, hayashi shinobue are not perfectly tuned to western scales so can only be used to play the hayashi folk festival music.
 
Tunings:
The shinobue can play 2 and a half octaves. There are known to be 13 kinds of lengths to choose from. The longest is called 1-hon(F) choshi, while the shortest is 13-hon(F) choshi. (The biggier the number is, the shorter the shinobue gets)
Please keep in mind that the shinobue are not exactly tuned to Do-Re-Mi scale (even with uta shinobue) like western instruments. When a tone is low or high, each player shold adjust the pitch using techniques called Meri and Kari (Changing the angle of your embouchure) Some people post how to do it on youtube so you might want to check it out.
 
High Octaves:
To get higher octaces, breath from your diaphragm and try to focus your breath into tighter stream It takes some practice, but everybody gets it eventually.
 
 

How to Cover the Holes:

Cover the holes for the right hand between the first and second joints, (NOT finger tips) Adjust from 

the little finger first, then close other holes accordingly. Your little finger should be comfortabe, otherwise 

the air leaks and the sound becomes unclear.

How do I Care for My Shinobue?

Playing results in condensation on the inside of the flute. This is removed by a piece of absorbent cloth 

with a weighted string attached to it (840 yen at Mejiro). Also, pure- light vegetable oil can be applied 

to the outside of the flute to prevent drying which leads to cracking. 

Please avoid using any cooking oils! (Suitable olive oil is 840 yen at Mejiro.)