Tairyu's Tips No 11 How Much Air Do I Need 

Thank you for the helpful tips!😊

I have emphysema (I smoked for over 3 decades) and have not found it a hindrance due to relatively good technique. The diaphragmatic breathing required to play Shakuhachi well is actually quite beneficial to someone with emphysema - As you breath out those pockets of dead alveoli collapse quickly, disrupting the air flow through the lungs. The back pressure created by "Blowing" into the Shakuhachi stops those pockets from collapsing leading to much improved air travel through the lungs.

I was kind of thinking that lung volume is more useful for extending what can be played in one breath, yet the breath is gentle and velocity is key for what note, or effect, gets played (beginner here). I bought a Voldyne, but I had to get the 4000 ml version. The 2500 was no challenge. I’m tall, a woodwind player of other instruments, and an athlete, so bigger lungs.

Great video Renzoh! Sorry to bother you, but today I wanted to sign up for the RU-vid membership program but the page is not found (coming from your website). Just letting you know you might want to check that 😊 Hope I can keep learning with you!