The shakuhachi is thought to have originated in China before making its way to Japan more than 1000 years ago but is now being played the world over.

She was an apprentice shakuhachi maker for a year in 1987 and even made her own during that time.

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"I did play one of my compositions today that involves voice, so I've been developing new techniques in the last five years which involve singing and playing simultaneously and alternating," she said.

She played in the Cataract Gorge's Fairy Dell on Monday for Mona Foma 2020 and said she loved the chosen venue for the morning meditation because of its natural elements.

She said all music and musical instruments had elements which could be used for meditation but the shakuhachi did pair well with it.

"I think shakuhachi being a breath-based instrument, in meditation usually if we slow our breath down it helps us get into another state, so I think that's helpful.

"I think also... the sound colour of the shakuhachi is a little close to the human voice so in a sense it's familiar."

Norman gave praise to the crowd and said their energy was unbelievably focused and helped carry her through the performance.

"I would walk around them and there would be people sitting in their posture or whatever it was and they would just stay in that as they walked past," she said.

"Others just lying down and sort of in a resting pose and others who were actively watching so I felt very buoyed up by their focus."

She is based in the Mornington Peninsula but from July is taking her craft back to Japan, to the city of Kyoto to teach lessons herself and also learn more.