Let's play two diatonic scales of sharp system: G major, D major
Updated: Oct 21, 2024
Tips for playing Do Re Mi Fa So La Si Do on the Shakuhachi No.3-2 INDEX >
The shakuhachi used here is 1.8 (D) tube_5holes.
Here, Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Si(Ti) Do represent the relative pitches (movable Do).
Two major schools of Shakuhachi: KINKO-school and TOZAN-school may have different fingerings called for the same pitch.
1. G major scale
The first octave
Figure1: Fingering chart for the first octave in the G Major Scale
The diatonic scale of G major is the scale with the tonic (first note of the diatonic scale) being 5 degrees above (4 degrees below) the tonic of C major scale. Specifically, the scale is: Do(G), Re(A), Mi(B), Fa(C), Sol (D), La(E), Si(F-sharp), Do(G). The key signature a <sharp> appears on Si(F-sharp).
Do (G) → «Re»: Third note of the basic five notes.
Re (A) → «Chi»: Forth note of the basic five notes.
Mi (B) → «Ri_ChuMeri» (KINKO) «Ha_Meri» (TOZAN): This note is not included in the basic five notes. You make it by closing 1/2 on hole 4. You slightly do MERU at the same time the hole is half closed. This is Half tone MERI (C-flat=B) of «Ri/Ha» (C5).
Fa (C) → «Ri» (KINKO) / «Ha» (TOZAN): Fifth note of the basic five notes.
Sol (D) → «Ro»: One octave above «Ro» as Tsutsune-tone.
La (E) → «Tsu_ChuMeri» (KINKO) / «Tsu_Meri» (TOZAN): This note is not included in the basic 5 tones. You make it by closing 1/2 on hole no.1. You do a little MERU at the same time the hole is 1/2 closed. This is a Half tone MERI (F-flat=E) of «Tsu» (F).
Si (F-sharp) → «Re ChuMeri» (KINKO) / «ReHan-on» (TOZAN): This note is not included in the basic 5 notes. You make it by closing 1/2 on hole no.2. You do a little MERU at the same time the hole is 1/2 closed. This is a Half tone MERI (G♭=F♯) of «Re» (G).
The second octave
Figure2: Fingerings of the second octave of G major scale
From Do (G): «Re» to Fa (C): «Hi»/«Ha»→ Fingerings are same as in the first octave.
You can get notes an octave higher by using the same fingering as the first octave and speeding up the flow of your breath. In the KINKO-school, the fingering for Mi (B) in KAN range is called «Hi_ChuMeri» instead of «Ri_ChuMeri» (called in OTSU range) .
Sol (D) → «Gono_Ha» (KINKO) / «Pi» (TOZQAN). Slightly open hole no.5 and a little MERU. Pitch is the same as «Ro», namely two octaves above the Tsutsune_tone.
La(E) → «Shino_Ha» (KINKO) / «Shi» (TOZAN). Sometimes the fifth hole is closed with a small space. You may close the Hole1also, but even in these cases the pitch remains the same. This note is not included in the basic 5 tones. This is a Half tone MERI (F-flat=E) of «Tsu» (F).
Si(F♯) → «Tsu_Taikan» (KINKO/TOZAN) . In TAIKAN range you will naturally get F-sharp instead of F with «Tsu» fingering.
The third octave
Do (G) → «Re_TAIKAN» This note may be difficult to produce depending on the instrument.
2. D major scale
The first octave
Figure3: Fingerings of the first octave of D major scale
The diatonic scale of D major is the scale with the tonic (Do = D) being 5 degrees below (4 degrees above) the tonic of G major scale. Specifically, the scale is: Do(D), Re(E), Mi(F-sharp), Fa(G), Sol (A), La(B), Si(C-sharp), Do(D). The key signature <sharps> appear on Mi(F-sharp) and Si(C-sharp).
Do (D) → «Ro»: First note of the basic five-tones. This is Tsutsune-tone of 1.8 tube (D tube).
Re (E) → «Tsu_ChuMeri» (KINKO) «Tsu_Meri» (TOZAN). Not found in the basic five notes. You make it by closing 1/2 on hole 1. You slightly do MERU at the same time the hole is half closed. This is Half tone MERI (F-flat=E) of «Tsu» (F).
Mi (F-sharp) → «Re ChuMeri» (KINKO) / «ReHan-on» (TOZAN): This note is not included in the basic 5 tones. You make it by closing 1/2 on hole no.2. You do a little MERU at the same time the hole is 1/2 closed. This is a Half tone MERI (G-flat=F-sharp) of «Re» (G).
Fa (G) → «Re»: Third note of the basic five notes.
Sol (A) → «Chi» : Forth note of the basic five notes.
La (B) → «Ri ChuMeri» (KINKO) «RiMeri» (TOZAN): Not found in the basic five notes. You make it by closing 1/2 on hole 4. You slightly do MERU at the same time the hole is half closed. This is Half tone MERI (C-flat=B) of «Ri/Ha» (C5).
Si (C-sharp) → «GonoHi_ChuMeri» (KINKO) / «Hi_Han-on» (TOZAN). You make it by opening a little hole no.5. You do a little MERU at the same time the hole is a little opened. This is a Half tone MERI (D-flat=C-sharp) of «Ro» (D).
The second octave
Figure4: Fingerings of the second octave in D major scale
From Do (D): «Ro» to Si (C-sharp): «GonoHi_ChuMeri»/«Hi_Han-on»→ Fingerings are same as in the first octave.
The third octave
Figure5: Fingerings of the second octave in D major scale
Do (D) → «Gono_Ha» (KINKO) / «Pi» (TOZQAN). Slightly open hole no.5 and a little MERU. Pitch is the same as «Ro», namely two octaves above the Tsutsune_tone.
Re (E) → «Shino_Ha» (KINKO) / «Shi» (TOZAN). Sometimes the fifth hole is closed with a small space. You may close the Hole1also, but even in these cases the pitch remains the same. This note is not included in the basic 5 tones. This is a Half tone MERI (F-flat=E) of «Tsu» (F).
Mi (F-sharp) → «Re ChuMeri» (KINKO) / «ReHan-on» (TOZAN): This note is not included in the basic 5 tones. You make it by closing 1/2 on hole no.2. You do a little MERU at the same time the hole is 1/2 closed. This is a Half tone MERI (G♭=F♯) of «Re» (G).
Fa (G) → «Re_TAIKAN» This note may be difficult to produce depending on the instrument.
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