🙁Is Your Tone Fuzzy? Let’s Talk Fingering🖐️

In the last two weeks, we’ve been exploring the three essential elements of creating a beautiful shinobue tone. First, we looked at breath quality—how using slow, warm air from your core shapes the sound. Then, we focused on breath direction, learning to aim the air precisely into the utakuchi with the help of a well-formed embouchure.

This week, we’ll dive into the final element: fingering.
Even with perfect breath, if your fingers aren’t sealing the holes properly or moving smoothly, your tone can become airy, unstable, or off-pitch. But don’t worry—just like breath control, fingering is something you can improve step by step.

Fingering

I've seen many players hold the shinobue in different ways, but all three of my teachers have used flat fingers when playing.

I do not use my fingertips to seal the holes. It's OK to seal the holes with the crease of your fingers.

The exact part of your fingers that seals the holes will vary depending on the size of your hands and the shinobue you are playing.​

What to do with your right pinky

One of the most common techniques for the right pinky is to place it down when playing ryō-on or kan-on notes 4, 5, 6 and 7.

In other words, your right pinky should be up when one or more of your right-hand fingers are sealing holes, and down when none of them are—to help stabilize the shinobue.

This small movement might seem simple, but for many beginners, switching the pinky like this can feel very awkward at first.

For example, playing from ryō-on 7 to kan-on 1 can be tricky.

When you're on ryō-on 7, only your right pinky is down. Then, in an instant, you have to lift your pinky and drop almost all your other fingers to cover the holes. That sudden switch takes practice!

I recommend practicing this movement slowly and repeatedly until it feels natural. It may take a couple of months or more, but it’s well worth the effort—and will make your playing feel much more stable and confident.

Where to place your right pinky

Another important point is where to place your right pinky. When playing medium-sized shinobue, like 6, 7, or 8 hon-chōshi, most people naturally place their right pinky on the last hole.

However, if that feels uncomfortable for you, it’s totally fine to place your pinky wherever it feels natural.

For example, when I play my 3 hon-chōshi (which is longer than 6, 7, or 8), my pinky can’t quite reach the last hole. So instead, I place it between the last hole and the one before it. That position works well for me and still provides stability.

The only trade-off is that I can’t play the note “zero”, which requires all fingers to be down except for the left middle finger.
But instead of using “zero,” I play “seven meri”—which produces the same pitch.

So don’t worry if your pinky doesn’t follow the “standard” position. As long as your tone is good and your flute feels stable, you’re doing just fine!

Seal the holes quickly and decisively

When lowering your fingers to seal the holes, make sure to do it quickly and confidently—not slowly or gently.

If you press down softly or hesitate, it can create a fuzzy or unstable tone. The holes must be either covered or open—never "kind of" covered at any given moment.

Think of it like turning a light switch on or off. Developing this habit will make your tone cleaner, your pitch more accurate, and your playing more reliable.

Don't forget the fingers that you don't use to seal the holes!!

They are extremely important since you can even drop your shinobue in the middle of a song if they are not working correctly!

Be sure to read this article.​

Fingering may seem like a small detail, but it plays a powerful role in shaping your tone.

By sealing the holes cleanly, using stable hand positions, and practicing pinky transitions with care, you'll build confidence and consistency in your playing.

It might take time—and some trial and error—but with patience and mindful practice, your fingers will start to move naturally.

Keep going—you’re closer than you think to the beautiful tone you’re dreaming of.