Oh, we also recently started offering second-hand shamisen sets. Have a look at this page, because some of them are almost half the price of these brand new Shamisen Starter Sets. :) - bachido.com/product-category/instruments/used-shamisen/

Aaah, good question! My guess is the sao is either 31 or 32mm, and I thiiiiink that's a size 7 dou, but it's a bit hard to tell because it's only 4mm larger. 😆

Oh noooo!! Unfortunately once the skin has unglued, the only fix it having it replaced with a new skin. :-S Synthetic skin is usually best in high humid conditions because the glue is unaffected by moisture. If you'd like, I professionally skin shamisen with synthetic skin. Feel free to check out my repair services here. :) - bachido.com/product-category/parts-repair/shamisen-repair/

Ah, unfortunately not. At least, not at present. I'm hoping to make more sheet music as some point, but finding time is always the challenging thing!

Aaah... You could try using super glue. That might be enough. But if that doesn't work, looking for another would be the thing to do. :)

Super glad you like it! 😊

Good observations! Indeed, I believe because the tone is warmer, the sustain tends to fade quicker, and requires more vibrato to keep the sustain sustaining. (Shamisen with colder tone tends to cut sharper tonally, and thus the sustain lasts longer) However, the drifting tuning was a factor of the strings being new and still stretching. In retrospect I should've waited until they stabilized before filming, but I felt in a hurry to make the video. 😅So that would've happened with any shamisen strung with new strings. :)

@@TsugaruShamisen ah I see, thank you! No worries, we’ve all played with new strings 😊 Such a pain!

That's a good theory, but I'm pretty sure isn't the case (although I could be wrong). Jonkara Bushi is originally a folk song, and in those days shamisen was just a backing instrument. Furthermore, I found a site with the lyrics for the folk song Jongara Bushi, and of the over 40 verses, shamisen is only mentioned once. (senshoan.main.jp/minyou/tugaru-word.htm) Tsugaru Shamisen became an official style in the 1970s and then surged in popularity, which I believe is why Nagayama san's Jonkara Onnabushi (which was composed after "Tsugaru Shamisen" became a marketed style) poetically references shamisen in her lyrics. But in most traditional Japanese folk music, the lyrics are about the region or workers (songs of the mountains, lakes, fisherman, etc), rarely about the instruments.

Thank you! It was so fun, especially together with the wide range of instruments!

@@v_Shami Yaay! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Me too! On a related note, text incoming soon!

I looked online and can't find any images of the notation. However, it is available in the Oyama Ryu scorebook Volume 6 (bachido.com/store/oyama-ryu-minyo-collection-books/)

Thank you!! Honestly, I have a hard time believing we made such a masterpiece. I've literally listened to it hundreds of times, and I'm still in love with it!

Ah, the first line is cutting straight down. The middle line carves to that line. :)

It was indeed! Hichiriki, with the Sho being the organ-sounding instrument.

Thank you so much! It was so much fun to sing!

@@jennifercooper1435 Thank you so much!

@KevinShamisen Good question! I think he's in DGD. Actually, I can't remember if the note above F is F# or G, but basically, all strings are one tone higher from CFC. :)

@@TsugaruShamisen great will try that out♥️

Oh interesting. I'm surprised stores would close for shipping because actually demand is relatively low. 😅 May I ask, what online shops did you try? Also, what parts do you need? At Bachido.com, I might have what you're looking for. :)

Glad it helps! :)

Nice!!! I think that's a great place to be in when possible, where you have a shamisen (wood, cardboard, or otherwise) to enjoy while you're also building your own. Otherwise it's easy to get impatient and want to finish quickly in order to play it. 😅 Glad you have one to play! Let me know if you have any questions when jumping into building your own!

Thanks! I have the L.R Baggs Ukulele undersaddle pickup installed. :)

Matt actually plays shamisen too. lol

I think he saw it on my instagram. :) A friend and I are planning to submit the guitar+shamisen playalong to the Bogren Ampknob contest thing. Granted it'll probably get denied because shamisen isn't in the requirements, but will make a fun youtube video at least!

Me too! Here's to you being able to get off work for the next one too!

So stoked to hear! That's what they're there for!! :-D Soak it all in as much as possible!

Replied to your email, I'll send you a book. :)

@@TsugaruShamisen you are awsome !!!!!

Good question! I think walnut could technically work, but it would definitely need a hard fingerboard. Also, being a relatively soft wood, it might swell when wet sanding, which can result in the sao being bumpy after finer sanding. That was my experience with making a koa shamisen (which has a similar hardness). If you get the wood stabilized, then there's no issues. :) I'd be happy to put a new skin on!

@@TsugaruShamisen awsome! And okay ill try to search for better wood. You know im in Massachusetts so its kinda hard to find good wood. What would you recommend? Oak ? Maple ?

@@TsugaruShamisen actually ! I just found a place near me that carrys all types of wood from exotic to foreign etc. they have bloodwood ! What would be the perfect amount and size of wood i would need for the entire thing ? Im sure you have it in the book witch im going to be purchasing to be able to make it ! Would you be able to tel me the measurements of the wood i need

@@aaronmoura1234 Both would be fine! I've seen shamisen made from Oak before, and my first homemade shamisen was made with Maple. :)

@@aaronmoura1234 Oh yes! I replied to your email. :)

Ah, on page 116 I have measurements listed for all the position marks. I've never tried making a fujaku (in the adhesive plastic strip style), but many people will cut out dots from regular tape and apply them to the sao. By using the measurements on the page 116, you can do the same. :)

And if you try it out, please let me know if you have any questions!

@@TsugaruShamisen Really enjoyed the book Kyle :)

@@Gnomewoodworker Thank you so much!! 😀

I'm glad my thoughts are useful for you! In general I find this whole kind of topic fascinating, understanding and appreciating how fear plays a huge role in our lives, whether it be studying a new art or just day-to-day life. There's the tricky balance of making your best effort without being afraid of the results - not having expectations for yourself while still striving to be the best you can be. A lot of self-reflection goes into achieving that balance, but it really makes a difference!

@@aaronmoura1234 Nice!! Did you sell it locally to a friend? Always feel free to let me know if you have any questions! :)

@@TsugaruShamisen i sold it a to a teacher ! They had just had lessons from Japan at a local shamisen school there. He had seen my listing on facebook and we went from there. Im hoping to grab a kouki from the shop !

thanks

no problem

So sorry for my late reply! (Was out of town for two weeks) Actually, the same approach is okay with a plastic bachi. Synthetic skin is very durable, and from experience, I can attest that its possible to get a snapping percussive tone with it. :) Of course, take your time and make sure you're using the right form, but you shouldn't have to worry about ripping the skin. :)

Hi @MeWee15! I'm glad you have started your shamisen journey!! Very nice! My wife and I got married in Copenhagen. :) I'm pretty sure there's some folks in Denmark who play, so I'd recommend joining the Bachido community section (community.bachido.com/) and introducing yourself. There's a chance someone local (or at least in the country) will say hi. :) I do know the guy in Spain, he's very nice but I've heard mixed reviews about his skin. I'd suggest contacting Su Bunjamin (my wife) at shami-shop.com. She's currently in Berlin and uses Hibiki synthetic skin, which has a very clean tone. :) Please let me know if you have any questions! Bachi on!