The shinobue (kanji: 篠笛) is a Japanese side-blown flute. It is also called takebue (kanji: 竹笛) in the context of Japanese traditional arts. The shinobue produces a high-pitched sound.

Usage

This instrument is used in hayashi and nagauta groups and has important roles in noh and kabuki theatre music. It can be heard in Shinto music, such as kagura-den, and in traditional Japanese folk songs.

Variations

There are three musical styles: uta, which means song; hayashi, which means festival; and doremi. The uta uses a tuning based on a Japanese version of the shi'er lü scale. The tuning of hayashi can differ depending on the region. Doremi uses the Western scale, which explains its name.