Here is a formula for becoming a professional shinobue player!
You probably didn't start playing the shinobue to make money, right? You play because you love it! But guess what?
Earning money by sharing this beautiful instrument is not as hard as you think.
So, why not give it a try? You can earn some extra cash, and at the same time, more people will get to know the joy of the shinobue. It's a win-win!
Novelty Factor
You might think, "But I'm not good enough to play the shinobue in public."
Well, this is the beauty of playing the shinobue.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A SUPER GOOD SHINOBUE PLAYER.
Because you have such a RARE instrument, just having the shinobue is special enough!! 😃🎊
So don't think of it as a "Performance". Think of it as "Show and Tell".
You just show up with this very rare instrument from Japan, tell them about it, and play a couple of simple songs.
I've done this so many times, and people of all ages are absolutely fascinated with the shinobue! I love telling them all about hon choshi and playing a few notes with my 8 hon choshi, then the same notes with 6 hon choshi, so they can hear the difference. They just can't believe that this instrument is hand made from bamboo and that each one is unique. Most kids are amazed that this magic bamboo with holes can play a melody! There are just so many amazing things you can talk about!
"How can I find a place to play?"
For your first gigs, perform for free initially to gain some practice. Assisted living communities (nursing homes) near your home would be an ideal option. They are always on the lookout for volunteer entertainers. Give them a call and ask to speak with the activity director. Most likely, you will get their voicemail. So practice saying something like this in advance.
"Hi, my name is xxxx. I have a rare Japanese instrument called shinobue. It's a bamboo flute from Japan, and I would love to share it with your residents. I would be happy to do this for free. My phone number is xxx-xxxx. I look forward to hearing from you!"
Then you will call back the receptionist and get the activity director's email address. And you will send them an email saying:
"Hello, I'm xxxx. I'm sorry I missed you today but I left a voicemail about playing a rare Japanese instrument called shinobue. I think your residents will love it. I'd be happy to play some songs at no charge. Please let me know when I can come visit. Thank you."
One of my students, Michael, played his first nursing home performance within a couple of months of him starting the shinobue.
"What should I play?"
Play songs with karaoke. Just bring a portable Bluetooth speaker and connect it to your phone. Even when you are singing a simple song, karaoke always makes you sound super professional! Presentation can make a huge difference in how good you look and sound. You can also find a pianist or a guitarist to accompany you!
You can start with a 30-minute presentation and extend it to 60 minutes as you gain experience, upgrade your gear, and expand your repertoire. Many nursing homes will pay around $100 for an hour-long performance.
Be dependable.
Even though you are doing this for free at first, think of it as an audition. Be on time. Don't cancel unless you are sick. Dress nicely (like you are going to a church).
The more you perform, the more motivated you become to practice. The more you practice, the better you get. Soon enough, you will be earning money playing the shinobue. Yes, you can become a professional shinobue player, too!!!
I have partnered with Amazon, so when you purchase any products that I recommend on my Amazon storefront, I earn a small commission from Amazon at NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU. This is an easy way for you to support me, allowing me to continue sharing the beauty of shinobue with the world.
Shinobue Wako offers amazing bamboo shinobues with beautiful colors and a bright, rich sound that I'm sure you'll love! I'm currently working out the details with them so that I can bring Shinobue Wako to you. Stay tuned for more updates - exciting things are coming your way!!
Colors Shinobue Wako offers
I sent a message to Mr. Shoji to send us more shinobues!!!!
So, hopefully, we will see more of his glorious shinobues soon!! Be sure to get notified as soon as it happens. Get on my Shoji shinobue notification list here!
Q & A: "How long does it take to learn the shinobue if I take lessons?"
Answer: According to an experienced Japanese shinobue teacher who runs a shinobue school, most people can learn to play a simple song within a month or two with a weekly lesson. A fast learner can play a simple song in a couple of weeks. Within one year, you can expect to be able to play many songs right away using shinobue sheet music. (The exact timeline depends on the individual and how much they practice.)
Shinobue Bags
I still have some beautiful shinobue bags left for sale. They are hand-crafted by Bunta sensei's mom!
💕I'd really appreciate your support so I can continue sharing free shinobue information on YouTube, my website, and in this newsletter! Thank you so much! 💓
