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Zen Jazz and the Art of Shakuhachi
An Interview with Brian "Tairaku" Ritchie
Brian "Tairaku" Ritchie is best known as the founder and bass player for the alternative-rock band the Violent Femmes. But for the last 12 years, Ritchie has been creating "zen jazz" using a unique flute known as a shakuhachi. We talked with Brian about his love for this delicate and beautiful instrument, among other things.
IMR: How did you get interested in shakuhachi?
BR: I started playing shakuhachi 12 years ago in NYC. I went to a flute convention in New York and encountered the shakuhachi there, tried it out. A shakuhachi teacher, James Nyoraku Schlefer, heard me and offered me lessons. I went for a few lessons and got hooked.
What is a shakuhachi exactly?
It is a simple but profound Japanese bamboo flute, associated with the Zen temples.
How is a shakuhachi made? Do they all sound the same or what are the differences?
They are made simply by cutting a mouthpiece in a piece of bamboo and drilling 5 holes. The rest is artistry. We use different lengths to play in different keys. The longer the flute, the lower the pitch. There is a great variety in the tone you get from one to the other, but the main factor in the sound is the player.
Have you ever made or do you want to make your own shakuhachi?
I leave that to the experts, although if I start to have more free time (unlikely) it is on my list of things to try.
How long did you have to study to become a shakuhachi teacher?
I studied for 7 years until receiving my teaching license and the name "Tairaku". This is similar to the martial arts and a black belt for example.
Tell us about the name "Tairaku". How did you get that name and who gave it to you?
My teacher and two of his superiors chose the name for me. It means "Big Music" and is meant to reflect my oversize personality and sound.
Of all the shakuhachi pieces you've played, which are your favorites and why?
I like the traditional Zen pieces, some of the classical pieces we play with koto and shamisen, and I like to write my own pieces and adapt jazz and blues songs for it. That's a wide range and my favorite is the one I'm playing at the moment.
You've formed several Shakuhachi clubs in the States and abroad, why is there such a big interest in this type of music?
"Shakuhachi Club" is a name I give to the bands and musicians I play my jazz shakuhachi repertoire with around the world. I travel a lot and play with the locals. We get together and play music from my CD's and other jazz and Japanese songs.
What Shakuhachi albums have you released and where can fans purchase them?
I have three out at the moment, "Shakuhachi Club NYC", "Ryoanji" and "Taimu". The first is out of print and awaiting reissue, but the other two are available on CDBABY, iTunes, and Amazon.
If someone wanted to play shakuhachi, how would they get started?
The best way is to find a teacher. www. shakuhachiforum. com is a good place to look for one in your area. If there is nobody, there are books and CD's to learn from.
You play many different musical instruments from bass to shakuhachi to conch shell. Tell us about them, how they differ in musical expression, add depth to the music you're playing and which is your favorite to play and why.
Instruments are tools. You use the right one for the job. I love the acoustic bass guitar (and electric) for rocking out in a band and for solo stuff I like shakuhachi. But I'll play anything on recordings or live in the search for the appropriate orchestration of a particular song. All instruments are related in some way or another, so I apply my knowledge of one instrument to another and work that way.
You've recently completed a tour in Italy with Zen Circus. How did you get involved with them and how did the tour go?
They opened up for the Femmes in Bologna 2 years ago and asked me to produce their album. It turned out very well so we decided to tour it. This is because I played a lot on the album instead of simply producing. It is being hailed as one of the best Italian rock albums of the decade. The tour ranged all the way from northern Italy to Sicily.
I also noticed that you busked with your Shakuhachi on the streets of Italy. What was the reception like?
People always like to hear the sound of the flute. We were not really busking per se but we played in public places to rehearse for some regular gigs. I love playing strictly acoustic in wide open spaces, it's good practice.
You've worked with Zen Circus, you're also involved with Green Mist. How did you get involved with them and how do you find time for all these different projects? Any other groups you're involved with?
I am involved in a lot of projects at the moment. In the case of Green Mist or Zen Circus, it's something I contribute to on a casual basis. I also have a few other interesting things coming up but they are not announced yet.
Besides playing shakuhachi, what do you like to do for fun?
I ride fixed gear bikes, snorkel, hike, and cook.
You're a gourmet. How did you become a gourmet and is wild boar your favorite? How do you cook that?
I became a gourmet by eating too much food and cooking it. I had a wild boar recipe in a rockstar cookbook, but I cook a wide variety of food. Since moving to Tasmania I am concentrating on simple preparations because the produce is so good here, it speaks for itself.
As the founder of the Violent Femmes, one of the best indie/alternative acts in history, what is your opinion of the indie scene today and VF's contribution to that scene?
There is no indie scene anymore. With the collapse of the record industry the mainstream are independent and the majors are on the fringe. Everybody's indie now except for a handful who cling to the idea of record companies.
Regarding the Femmes influence, you can hear that there are more bands sounding like the Femmes today than ever. Hopefully we gave inspiration to people to learn to play unusual instruments, write weird songs and not fear to express their ideas. Just as we took inspiration from those who came before us such as the Velvet Underground and Sun Ra.
What's next for Brian Ritchie?
I will continue to be a musical adventurer. I am located in Australia now, so I intend to collaborate with some of the musicians here. Regarding Violent Femmes, we will appear in the forthcoming movie "Time Travelers Wife". I'll continue touring Europe and the States when appropriate. You'll just have to stay tuned.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Nope!
Visit Brian Tairaku Ritchie at
http://myspace.com/tairakubrianritchie
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