How to Get Your Very Own Tsugaru Shamisen!

There aren't too many options if you live outside of Japan and are looking to buy your own Tsugaru shamisen, but here's some guidance.
You can get shamisen and other Japanese instruments and accessories from Chords Canada. They stock them in their Toronto warehouse and ship to most places around the world. They also sell Kyle Abbott's book Shamisen of Japan.
www.chordscanad...
Shamisen Katoh's website: www.shamisen-ka...
When you email Katoh san, be sure and type SHAMISEN (yes, all caps) in the subject field as his email server interprets mail from foreign ip addresses as spam. As long as you use basic English, Katoh san will likely be able to understand you. Assuming I don't hear from hundreds of you all at once, I'd be glad to help with any necessary translation.
Buy the cheaper student model Tsugaru shamisen here: www.ishibashi-w...
(click on the "English" tab in upper right hand corner)
Info on this company's international order protocol/how to order here:
www.ishibashi.c...
Build your own shamisen and learn how to play it with Kyle Abbott's book Shamisen of Japan. Check it out here: www.shamisenofj...

[@mikepenny01]

@machinecinema4 The first tune is an original, the next is a Japanese folk song called Kokkiriko Bushi. The ones at the end are an improvisation and a traditional piece from Tsugaru called Tsugaru Jonkara Bushi.

[@larzlarzpantsonfarz]

I just want to say, you have totally helped me out immensely. I have been looking for information everywhere to find a place to buy them and a way to learn it for months. I just found all that information in 6 minutes and 45 seconds (from Auto-Tune the News on the HOOOO!). Thank you. subbed for sure.

[@ShintekBeats]

You are so awesome man, im going to remix your bed intruder cover...lol

[@TarisRedwing]

YAY I got both of Kyle's book as soon as they came out! LOL I didn't think he'd get a mention here. Good plug. I just wish I had more time tr practice my Tsugaru Shamisen. Very fun and eye catching for all to hear though.

[@Marriedtoaspectre]

wow dude i have been playing guitar for 8 years now and i must say, now that i have also learned drums and bass, bit of piano, this instrument would definitely have to be the next one i try out, i absolutely love the way they sound and they look difficult to play which is great cuz i like an instrumental challenge XD

[@AiKokoro8]

Thanks for this video. I enjoy listening to the shamisen music, but mostly I am grateful for the hope you give me. I have been trying to find information about the biwa--how to get one and how to learn it. Your video gives me hope that there is a biwa counter-part to you and your shamisen information. Thanks again!

[@mikepenny01]

@inkystinky123 Nope. That's the raw camera audio.

[@thoughtotherwise]

Very informative video. Thanks. I really liked the piece you did at the end.

[@Trogdoor125]

Thank you for this video you posted; it was really helpful. Do you also know where i can get starter sets for Biwas and or Kokyus?

[@codyhayes]

you are a rock star my friend!!! Awesome!!!

[@mikepenny01]

@verbliner If you have the option, I think it's always best to play and inspect the instrument prior to buying it. Just as important is to sample different bachi and find one with the thickness and tone you want, and one that fits the shape and size of your hand. On the other hand, the starter kit offered on the website I mention in the video is the cheapest deal I've come across to date. Shamisen Katoh's store in Tokyo is a great resource. Katoh can help you find what you're looking for.

[@acapulqueable]

I like how you play Shamisen

[@kilasandra]

I just looked on the chords of Canada website and saw the difference ... Thank you!

[@ilikepeanutbutter]

you're funny and you promote other people in your video, something I rarely see these days! thanks for all the links!

[@mikepenny01]

@Porkaleena Thanks for the info! I'll check them out.

[@thehaveninthehand]

This is a great video. It's a little disencouraging with the lack of shamisen retailers, but perhaps I'll be luckier to find one in Europe. I was hoping to learn a new instrument to help me coping with my thyroid condition, but I simply can't afford any of the alternatives that you're stating on my illness benefits. I've loved Japanese culture since I was a child, so playing an instrument that was invented in Japan would be awesome.. Btw, you got skills, I'd love to have you as my sensei :)

[@bveracka]

Classical Japanese string instruments are hard to find here in the US! I want a *biwa* but it seems I'd have to go to Japan to get one. Since I play Chinese Guzheng I think I might as well buy a Koto instead; quality koto are available through "Sound of China" in California (& online). BTW Your Japanese is good, I have a friend who is fluent also.

[@JustClaude13]

@metodex It's really hard. Start yesterday. Get to good classes, study hard and only watch cartoons in the original Japanese with subtitles. Better to watch without subtitles when you can. Study the writing system and get the best dictionaries you can afford. Use the dictionaries to read Japanese comics in the original language. You won't be able to at first, but constant practice is vital to retaining a language. Find someone to practice with. Go to Japan and talk to people. You can do it!

[@thatdudecalvin]

you live in LA ! There's a guy in little tokyo that plays the shamisen but I always hear him play the same yoshida brothers song over and over. You guys should have a shamisen battle !

[@warpticon]

Hi there. First, I want to say your playing is great and a pleasure to listen to. I've wanted to learn shamisen for quite some time, but I have a problem. I have never found nor heard of a shamisen designed for left-handed play. I play all other string instruments this way, and I can't imagine trying to learn shamisen "backwards." Do you have any idea what it might take to acquire one? I suspect I'd have to have it custom made, but I'd be pleasantly surprised if that wasn't the case.

[@GraceNcube]

SUPER COOL DUDE!!! I have Kyle Abbott;s sweet book. I am still working on building my shamisen. Dude LOS ANGELES WOOT WOOT! Very cool music! Such a sick and awesome songs! Keep up the great work!

[@mikepenny01]

@PyroTurtleZX Valencia right now.

[@mortalkombat1984]

jesus you´re good. you should make an album... no joke

[@warpticon]

Also, I want to say that I have considered that the instrument looks symmetrical and thereby receptive to reverse stringing, but I have read conflicting descriptions that would indicate that may not be the case. I don't want to end up with an instrument I can't play, so I'm playing it safe.

[@mikepenny01]

@chordscanada This is great! I'll definitely check you out and put a link in the video. Thanks.

[@waqwaqsx]

You are a genius. From Japan.

[@mikepenny01]

@chrisswafford Click the first link, click the British flag icon (upper right hand corner) for English, click "others" (left hand column), click Japanese instruments, and there you'll see the shamisen set. It's a bit complicated, haha.

[@CubeableGame]

Very good and informative video! What type of shamisen is the one that's being played at 5:46?

[@iluvted2]

Where do you teach! I want to be your apprentice!

[@syaiomid]

love this stuff

[@digi47]

question: How long have you been playing and (assuming you've played guitar before) do you think it's easier/harder than Guitar to get good at?

[@JustClaude13]

@qazmatoz It depends on the quality. If $200 was the "Buy it Now" price, it will probably make a nice beginners instrument while you save up for a better one. Otherwise, you could have gotten an exceptionally good deal if it's a nice one. You'll see when it arrives. Even a poor instrument is usually good enough to practice basic technique, and it'll teach you things to look for when you upgrade.

[@furiouscake]

PLEASE! HAVE A SEAT! totally awesome. the japanese are great.

[@nordicbastard7]

You've got to be the coolest ginger alive in this day in age :D

[@oftenKICKEDbaby]

Wow looks like an awesome instrument just wondering how you came to play it considering they are so rare in the u,s,

[@OGAarset]

"Its been alright........" hahaha, you are fantastic man :D

[@onewaytosavetheday]

You are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And hilarious... I don't think I'll be investing in a Shamisen anytime soon though... However, you made me want to think about it :D Thanks for posting!

[@JustClaude13]

Kotos and More has a karin Tsugaru shamisen for $1475, and a kouki tsugaru shamisen for $1945. They don't give an address in the contact info, but the area code is north San Diego County. I wonder if I was the only one singing along to Kokiriko Bushi.

[@apeapeape999]

By the time I could have everything set up to own a shamisen, move to Japan, learn Japanese, and find a sensei, I'll be all old and stuff. I could move south and find you, but that would still be really hard, and I would still have to get my hands on a shamisen. Bah. Why do I have to take interest in stuff that's hard. It would be awesome if I wanted to be the worlds best jaw harpist.

[@kayteland]

You are absolutely AMAZING!!!! This is really great stuff you got here man. You said you teach in the L.A area. I recently moved to the area and was really wanting to try something new, and this seems great. How long did it take you to learn to play?

[@mykitwigger]

you are an awesome shamisaner my man! and very witty!

[@waqwaqsx]

何度見ても素晴らしい。

[@ToadenK]

sweet if i wanted to play this would be very helpfull

[@opidacul]

nice channel man, you have skills, one question what is the tune before the last one? is it something you improvised or you heard it somewhere else?

[@flux.aeterna]

きゃ〜！この有用なビデオを作ってありがとう！ 今年、桜祭りで「セ三味ストリート」と言うバンドを見てから、三味線を習いたいなのよ。 高校で日本語を勉強ができるのはラッキだけど、ぜんぜん日本楽器のクラスがないの。。。 ちょっと質問を聞いてもいい？ あなたの三味線を習った事に興味がある、どこでとかだれととかどのぐらいとかべんきょうしたの。 ありがとう！じゃ、どうぞよろしくね。

[@cat48155]

mike.... your a genius

[@juxtapos99]

0:16 killing it. damn.

[@tikidung]

do a cover of handels passacaglia =D it will make me very happy

[@RasburryMuphinz]

I'm currently in the process of building a shamisen.

[@shamisendemon]

Since this vid was made a new way for anyone in the world to get their own Shamisen has been created in the form of the new Bachido website! Mike..you should join us more often! You're a tease on that website! I am thinking of going nuts and posting tons of links to your vids on the bachido forum! Whadda ya think of that mister? TTB dammit! Argh! I still remember the night of the legendary R 6 ! Woooooo!

[@LotteStarck]

Thx for your great performance and info, Mike - have 'met' Kyle here at youtube and take from there :)

[@JonasBombeke]

What's the other instrument hanging from you shamisen bearing tree? the one with the flatted ball-like body

[@Anaikimaru]

Hey Fiddle Fella, there are other teachers of shamisen in the United States. Areas include Orlando and Miami Florida, as well as NYC, Washington State, as well as an online instructor from Colorado. Feel free to send me your info and I'll add it to the list on my website. Thanks!

[@TheSocialJusticeSorcerer]

So, quick question. I am currently living in Japan and have recently come accross an opportunity to study shamisen, the catch is that I will only be in the country for another four months. How far can you progress in that time? How long did you practice before you were competent enough to play basic songs and progress on your own? I hope you can help me :)

[@mikepenny01]

@warpticon Since the instrument is symmetrical the only issue you'd encounter trying to retrofit it for a left-handed player would be having to redrill holes in the tuning pegs where the string passes through. A small drill press would do the trick. Woooooooooooo! Shamisen! Ya know what I'm sayin'?!!!!!!! Just kidding. I just came back from karaoke, and readjustment is proving to be rather difficult.

[@TranceSFX]

How did you learn to play this man? Do you play guitar too? Just awesome.

[@Spaceforcemusic]

@mistertomlinson very true!

[@GrandTeutonica]

You're lucky to have a "Shamisen bearing tree" man, don't suppose you'd have any seeds for one? lol My shamisen was damaged and I had to get rid of it, and now I only have my Chinese Quin quin, it'd be nice to jam with one of the California shamisen players some day, if I ever get a new one though ;-)

[@bysykkel]

Did you have a mic attached to the shamisen when you played it outside?

[@MarkArandjus]

Not to disrespect traditional playing techniques, but is it possible to learn to play selftaught style like a guitar?

[@drugmonster6743]

What's the name of the song that plays sometimes when the video is showing Katoh's shop?

[@Benedocta]

I have a brief question: How can you be so awesome without a soul?

[@kjarrith123]

LOL @ the captions at 5:38 !!!!

[@mistertomlinson]

You can buy Shamisens all day long on eBay, straight from Japan. Just search for "Shamisen."

[@AcerbicLove]

@wicketyspickety Very good question. I would like an answer to that as well.

[@meshumekha]

How can I get your splendid round window sill? For this is truly what I would like to obtain.

[@kilasandra]

Mike, what's the difference between a nagauta shamisen, and a Tsugaru? I took my first shamisen lesson yesterday, but the sensei has very limited English (although, she's awesome!). She just said one was big and one was small, lol. Can you tell me in detail?

[@Ghost331000]

I live near the L.A. area maybe you can help me learn how to play the Shamisen.

[@lyprov]

I don't think the start-up kit is on the site anymore. =/ I went to where the shamisen should be, but it said no items found.

[@verbliner]

I am a student in the USA and I will study abroad in Japan next year (I will be living in Fujimi, Saitama prefecture near Tokyo). Also I am really eager to learn the Shamisen myself but I don't know if I should get one through your sources or wait till I go to Japan (I won't go till April of 2012) ? what would be recommendable?

[@atf22]

@mikepenny01 do u go to Cal Arts?

[@Takowowo]

@PyroTurtleZX Minus one "are" because I'm meticulous about spelling/grammar

[@haxx1233]

The link to the cheap starter kit doesn't work is there another place?

[@ezbellz]

Ishibashi doesn't seem to stock Tsugaru Shamisen at the moment, only a smaller Okinawan variety. Anybody have any ideas where to find a similar Tsugaru Shamisen 'starter' set online for that kind of price?

[@kylerdymond6592]

Hey, Mike. I saw this vid a long time ago and I just forgot about it but I still want to buy a shamisen. So I decided to come back here and see whats up. I'm still a bit confused about how I'm supposed to buy it though. I went to the websites you put up and I didn't see any place to actually make a purchase. So is emailing him the only way or?

[@zenbeer]

Very interesting stuff.

[@larzlarzpantsonfarz]

@ShawEagle2012 no fool, $4500 or 450,000 yen

[@JacobDeadman]

Is there any way i can get one with artifical skin? I am a vegetarian and I want to learn to play. But i refuse to use any slaughter products.

[@chubbymosher700]

when you said hello at the begining it sounded like father mulcahy from M.A.S.H.

[@gslade95]

whats the name of the songs you play in the vid or are they improv.

[@kasura824]

Would you happen to have an updated link to the student grade shamisen? The current one is 404'd >_<

[@Anticlock94]

the link to the cheap one is useless if you dont speak the language, the english tab takes u to one page and everything you click afterwords goes back to previous language...

[@fumalumy]

Hello! I would really like to purchase the student Tsuguru shamisen but the link to the website is no longer running... do you have any alternative recommendations? Thanks :)

[@orenco]

You have successfully subscribed.

[@ooosteve]

I disagree, I would give this thing a wurl any day. Give me a rubber boot and a shoe lace and I will jam it out on that too! I may be the only person that would enjoy listening to it, but I would still give it a shot :) with a few youtube videos it should be easy enough to get the basic idea of technique anyways... nice vid, you rock this crazy string thing

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

I wanted a Tsugaru Shamisen for Christmas in 2011, but I got an acoustic guitar instead.

[@pwnedforlife]

turn on captions, the Shamisen talks.

[@prpl_ketchup]

Your facial expressions are epic.

[@donalkennedy6393]

You are beyond awesome

[@lamengambrea]

it's a really encouraging video, but i don't have enough money :(..... and so, i heard once long ago than in okinawa during second world war the people made their own samiseng with cookies tin, what do you know about this??, can you explain how to make one????.... please????

[@Lawrerensongerer]

how did it take you to learn nihongo? im still learning...

[@coolsambo60]

Your, sir, are the Lord of all creation.

[@roninmbattousai]

2nd link in description is dead

[@verbliner]

@mikepenny01 Thanks for the reply! btw I just got the confirmation from the University in Japan that I applied to today, I got in! So for sure I will go visit Katoh's store in Tokyo. Sorry for the questions, but do you think he would offer resources for me to find a Shamisen Sensei while I am in Japan (I'll be there for 4 months)? I'll also mention that Mike Penny san referred me to you:P (if that's cool). Thank you again! ありがとうございました。

[@TonicMike]

How did you get started playing the shamisen?

[@pixeleirikr9220]

Sadly the link for the beginner shamisen doesn't work

[@Oneofthosecoolkids]

funny and talented guy subscribed!

[@duffmasterofpuppets]

What's the glove for? Finger spacing?

[@Takowowo]

Exactly where are you in the Greater LA are?

[@zeroswings2]

would LOOOVE to have one and learn to play. but then... I also want a berimbau too

[@MCShvabo]

Are you Capoerista?

[@zeroswings2]

MCShvabo nah, but I'd like to do that too

[@MCShvabo]

zeroswings2 Berimbau is very involved in most capoeira schools, you might learn to play it practicing there.

[@kylerdymond6592]

I actually made a homemade berimbau out of junk one day and it worked pretty well so