This booklet is just a little intro on the wonderful music of Japan.

Min’yo is a genre of traditional Japanese music, and Min’yo songs are connected to forms of work or to specific trades and were originally sung between work time or specific jobs. At first, I was thinking to do a solo shakuhachi recording to accompany the booklet, but I thought it would be more fun to add play-along tracks to go with it.

The play-along tracks are in no way traditional. We added a contemporary twist to the tracks. They are high quality and great to perform in public.

I included notation in Western (for the classical/jazz musicians) and traditional Japanese for the shakuhachi players.

I want to thank my Shakuhachi teacher Michael Chikuzen Gould for his inspirational teaching! I am grateful to him for opening my eyes and ears to Miny’yo music and to the Zen Honkyoku music.


Credits:
Geni Skendo: Shakuhachi
Ben Levin: guitar arrangements & performance
Joe Miura: Japanese Notation entry
Yumi Sugamote: Finale editing
Alison Thomas: Editing
Ed Beaty: Cover & Advices

Recorded Mix & Masters By Geni Skendo

Notation Example

 Book Cover