Learn to Play the Shinobue

Great method and songs to learn and also play Melodies on the Fue

I was amazed to recently find a book on the shinobue in English!! This book seems to cover everything: embouchure, proper breathing, fingering, notation, meri/kari, simple scores for practice and exercise. Too, the larger than usual format and careful binding allow easy reading of the pieces included. Though a CD is not supplied, one can search Taikozan's website for tie-ins of the music. Though most scores are in C major or A minor (the book is targeted for the happonjoshi shino), the author even suggests playing in other keys and with other size shinobue as both Western notation and Japanese notation are given. I am sure that by the time I have made it through this book, I will be able to play much, much better than I do now. Thanks go to the author for making such a book available.Weeks and months later ... I am making use of this book every day and it doesn't disappoint. For example, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" was included and it has proved to be an excellent selection for practicing repeated notes with embellishment on the instrument. Too, there is a very logical progression to the challenges the pieces present. Well thought out "textbook" for learning the shinobue.

I play drums in Taiko and want to play fue for a couple of songs. This book, for a pretty outrageous $25.00, for what it has to offer, is pretty useless. Anything useful, playing notes, Japanese notation, types of fue is about 10 pages long. After that it's purely song sheets.

I am pleased with this book. Fingering chart in both numbering and musical notation and makes it easier to learn. You do need to know how to read music. I am providing photos of a fingering chart and example of a song. Also includes American folk songs too. I am glad he has japanese folk music too. I saw a internet course not free and by Marco himself! Thank you Marco for making this book! Going to have fun with my shinobue!

It is terrific to have this book as a resource for learning to play and practice the shinobue. The book is well laid out and easy to follow. There are very few resources in English for beginning and intermediate shinobue players. It is fortunate that Macro went to the effort to create this book for us.