Let's Play "Waka's Theme" from Okami

Let's play Waka's Theme from the video game Okami!

I'm super excited because I uploaded a performance video and a fingering tutorial for the song, and they're getting a lot more views than my usual videos. So, I've decided to break it down and give you some phrase-by-phrase advice! AND FREE KARAOKE audio track for 8 hon choshi!!!!!!! Our newsletter Exclusive!! Thank you for watching my videos and supporting my channel!!!!!! 💓

Here is the performance video.

​Here is the fingering tutorial.

​In-Depth BreakDown

Open the fingering tutorial video and watch the slow-motion part which starts at 1:42.

On the first phrase, 二　四　五　六、４　３２　六、, you see that I do yubiuchi for ornamentation. 六　is a common note to do yubiuchi, because the index finger is easy to move quickly.

It's OK to take a breath between 六　and 4 if needed.

To sound authentic, make sure to momentarily stop the airflow between 四 and 五.

Next, you have 五　六　１　六　四. You have 2 六s, but I only did yubiuchi on the second 六. Too many yubiuchi can sound too busy. And since the second 六　is a longer note, I added the yubiuchi there. Once you start doing yubiuchi frequently, your fingers start doing them without you thinking and planning them.

The next phrase is a very long phrase and if your kan on is not super easy yet, I strongly suggest you take a breath in-between. You'll have a better chance getting a good tone on kan on if your body is filled with fresh breath.

三　四　五　四　五　六　 breath ４　３４　５　４　３　１　

I added an ornamentation yubiuchi on 3, but you can omit it if it trips you up.

六　１　２　４　２ is the next phrase. I added an ornamentation yubiuchi on 2.

The next one is a tricky one because of its first note ２メ。

This is how I do this ２メ。I place my fingers as if I'm playing 2, but cover half of the next hole too. Or you can also say, I act like I'm playing 1, but the last hole is only covered half. It's really hard to see in the video that I am covering only half of the hole with my right ring finger, but that's what's happening. You need to know what pitch you need to sound and adjust your right ring finger accordingly to create that exact pitch.

The rest of the song is a repeat until the very end, 六　１　２　６,　３　４　２、１２１　六　五　六。

This section is probably the most difficult to play beautifully. It will not sound good unless you use your core muscles (not your mouth) to propel the air. You need to keep your mouth relaxed the whole time.

I hope you enjoyed the in-depth breakdown of this beautiful song!

​Here is the free karaoke track for 8 hon choshi! This is available for a limited time only so download it right now!https://drive.google.com/file/d/1617ez91kIc2BNUiegJm25fyTCG8oqWce/view?usp=sharing