Lowering the scale is called 'meri' (the technique of lowering the chin in conjunction with fingering and breath technique), while slightly raising the scale is called 'kari' (the technique of raising the chin in conjunction with fingering and breath technique) (refer to the 'Playing' section of 'Shakuhachi').
音程を下げることを「メリ」、微妙に音程を上げることを「カリ」と呼ぶ（「尺八」の奏法も参照されたい）。