The Magic of the Japanese Shamisen

[@tantibusking7095]

I like how he started playing the instrument and went straight to playing a slide blues tune.

[@nuthinbutlove]

That was hilarious 🤣

[@QuestForTacos]

It actually sounded pretty cool on the shamisen.

[@nuthinbutlove]

@@QuestForTacos agreed 😁

[@russellzauner]

because it's literally a cigar box guitar/banjo hybrid

[@fatpad00]

​@@russellzauner the Japanjo if you will

[@TsugaruShamisen]

It was a huge honor to be involved! Thank you so much for coming all the way to Santa Cruz to bring shamisen to the public eye! :-) So there's a few things I need to clarify for the dear viewers! As our conversation was neither pre-planned or scripted (or if it was, I missed the email!), I was rather flying by the seat of my pants, and I realized a few things I said were incorrect. Although they're rather trivial points, taking care to keep shamisen information factual and credible is so important (especially because there is so little information publicly available). And so, corrections are below! 00:39 "More in the folk line - called tsugaru shamisen". This might've be more of a misunderstanding caused by abridging. Technically speaking, the folk style is called "Minyo" (and shamisen used for Minyo is called "minyo-jamisen"), which is fundamentally where the Tsugaru style (tsugaru-jamisen) originated from. (specifically from the roots minyo, not the modern formalized Minyo) So although I do explain it's evolution into a coined style, I just want to be super clear that tsugaru-jamisen is really on the balancing edge of folk and modern fusion. It's both still used for folk of the tsugaru region (tsugaru no minyo) as well as modern fusion (jazz, rock, pop, etc), so it's kind of in a gray area. (Most don't even consider it a traditional style given how recent it was coined) 01:50 Not that it matters, but just want to point out that the song we play here (Sakura Sakura) is generally not considered a tsugaru-jamisen song (although tsugaru style players sometimes add it to their repertoire for a bit of classic flavor) :-) 04:28 Neo means "Sound Cord", not "Sound Tail" (I had a different kanji in mind) 04:43 "This is a koma case." It's actually a lipstick case, but I put my koma (bridge) in it. Lipstick cases are quite often used as a convenient container for storing koto picks as well as shamisen koma. (And that particular lipstick case I had came with a used koto I purchased) 04:55 "Sawari, which means touching". It's true, the word sawari (sawaru) does mean touching, and most likely that's where the name of the effect is derived from (because the vibrating string is being touched by the wood ridge), I'm not 100% sure. So, just want to make it clear that I could be wrong about that! 08:11 Information on shamisen tunings - kzbin.info/www/bejne/enW4qoNvfs2FgqM 09:48 "It's the perfect instrument for that." Meaning, just like ukulele, you can quickly learn enough to enjoy the experience (unlike accordion or trumpet) That's about it!

[@SH4M4N_YT]

You friggin rule!!!! Thank you for introducing many of us to shamisen music!

[@orangecatactually]

Pin

[@michaelmoore7975]

Got a question. Is it true those ice scrapers cost about $2,000 US?

[@TsugaruShamisen]

​@@michaelmoore7975 That's a very good question! In fact, there's a wide price range depending on shell quality and, even more of a factor, whether it's used or new. So the range is from about $100 to above $2000. But in my experience, people rarely buy new $2000 bachi unless they're shamisen artists under a record label who can cover the costs of their instruments. I don't like to judge, but frankly only a sucker would spend $2000 on a brand new bachi when they can get bachi of equal quality (and in new condition) for under $300 on the used market. 😅 (Case in point, my three favorite bachi were about $2000 when they were brand new, and I bought them used for $100, $250, and $300 respectively)

[@TsugaruShamisen]

@@SH4M4N_YT Thank you so much! Delighted to help spread shamisen, and very grateful to Samurai Guitarist for making it happen!

[@Lifes2short2hurry]

Not only did a guy of Japanese heritage who grew up on black music learn a Japanese instrument from a guy of European heritage who grew up on Appalachian music, the instrument he learned might not be popular much outside of museums, if it wasn't for the popularity of American west coast surf rock in Japan. I love that.

[@221b-l3t]

It's missing a French guy correcting their English grammar.

[@bacicinvatteneaca]

And an Italian guy explaining the historical reasons why the French loanwords they're using are pronounced funny

[@HeyItsThattGuy]

Hi Germany here👹

[@JeanLoupRSmith]

Fun fact, Taiko drum sticks are also called bachis, because bachi just means "thing to hit with"

[@johngriffon2118]

As soon as you started playing it sounded like a swampy blues instantly. Incredible

[@SpartanLaserCanon]

I hope your Acoustic guitar in this video is ok after being in the rain. It is nice to see you guys Jam in the beginning of this video. I have never heard an Acoustic guitar played with a Shamisen played before. I find it interesting how some countries actually have buzzing strings in their music unlike how most North American music with stringed instruments is with no string or fret buzz.

[@timsmith8489]

His guitar is an Orangewood. They make a lot of inexpensive guitars that sound way better than you'd expect an inexpensive guitar to sound. A lot of KZbin guitarists have ordered some of those to review (Orangewood only sells direct), and one thing many of them have said (besides just being impressed that such an inexpensive guitar is so good) is that it would be great for a serious guitarist as their "take it outside" guitar for camping, beach trips, and such where you wouldn't dare take your expensive guitar.

[@SpartanLaserCanon]

@@timsmith8489 Interesting. I didn't know those guitars are not expensive.

[@lilam7851]

I love this educational content about instruments from different cultures, you could do a series of different countries and all that. Itd be cool to see you experiment with them.

[@Bubdiddly]

This guy is so damn cool. So knowledgeable and passionate.

[@SamChaneyProductions]

Kyle is such a great guy, and probably solely responsible for 90 of shamisen players in the US today due to Bachido. Wonderful to see him getting some of the recognition that he deserves!

[@DonnyZofChaos]

I wonder if Matt Heafy is one of them

[@aaronmoura1234]

I agree to this! Ive been playing for 6 years now!

[@johnhmaloney]

Great video. I've known about the shamisen for a few years, thanks to Wagakkiband, but I never knew that surf music had such an influence on how it's played in the modern era. Also, I really like what you said about the cross-cultural aspect of music. It made think about and really appreciate how that plays into the music that I make. I'm someone of European descent who grew up on music descended from Africa (rock, blues and R&B) and I play music heavily influenced by those genres on a Hawaiian instrument (ukulele) that was descended from a Portuguese instrument. It's wild to think about how many cultures it all filters through.

[@KelticKabukiGirl]

I have wanted one for decades along with a cello, and now want an electric of both...! I was an Otaku in the 90s and early 2K and loved adding other genres to the Mathcore? Metalcore I played at the time, which was just Hardcore back then because I helped invent it😅

[@KelticKabukiGirl]

I have wanted one for decades, along with a Cello, now I want an electric and or Acoustic ELectric one to add to my more Metal/Mathcore Jazz Fusion/Dark Ambient kinda stuff I write

[@seandaniel23]

Kyle is a legend

[@khancolman8565]

Greetings from Japan! 🎌🗾⛩️ The Okinawan version, “san shin” （三線), is also super fun. the ”do” is wrapped is viper skin, and the ”bachi” is either a long bamboo reed held a little like a pencil or a honed cow‘s horn olaced on the index finger. 😮

[@DjDoggDad]

I love my sanshin!!! I tell a bunch a bunch of american musicians about it, and my sanlele! iyasasa ✌️

[@khancolman8565]

@@DjDoggDad Nice, Dogg! I regularly break out my “sanba” at my favorite Amami Ojima tavern! 🎼🎶🎵🎶

[@michaelmoore7975]

Don't make me break out my Mongolian Morin Khuur.

[@DjDoggDad]

@@michaelmoore7975 It would probably not go well for you if I start throat singing 🤣

[@michaelmoore7975]

@@DjDoggDad Haha!! Believe it or not, my son has been practicing Mongolian throat singing for about a year now. I can't help but laugh a bit when he starts winding up...sounds like a contra bass cicada.

[@EmelieWaldken]

As a folk musician this video makes me very happy. You vibing to that simple old tune (those are often the best), the cross-mixed history of that style of shamisen playing, your closing thoughts that, YES, are very true about every musical tradition. Loved how humble you were, too. Good work !

[@82tonypr]

The Shamisen is such a cool instrument! I love the sound it produces! The one he was putting together with the twisted tuning pegs. Then the one he was playing with the 2 tone neck. Both looked awesome!

[@KelticKabukiGirl]

I Have wanted an electric shamisen and cello for years!!

[@deracine5230]

love that crazy distance between the cultures you mentioned and then how today we can bring it all together in this day and age, abso-Lute-ly love the traditional side of things but those bluesy runs Kyle Abbott added in they were just oh so smooth. thanks for bringing the past into the now guys

[@Elagabalus711]

This was immensely fascinating and Sammy-g's reflections on the sharing of culture at the end was pretty profound. Would love to see more content of this sort,

[@FedericoMatarazzo]

Thank you, this was absolutely awesome to watch! Love the mix of cultures somewhat brings in the heritage that used to be, just out of sheer love for the craft!

[@stevenpope]

Inspiration mode initiated. I’m going to find a way to share blues in my own way and I’m so excited to do it

[@JRuni0r]

Spend your money how you want. For future reference and for others, YT's cut from chat donations is pretty steep. Always try to find alternative donation methods than whatever is built into the app.

[@GloriousDutchPancakes]

I knew this would happen when samurai guitarist had a shamisen in a video. I have played shamisen for a while, but stopped because i was afraid to be too loud for the neighbors.

[@ven_ofc]

I'm planning on starting to learn. Where should I buy one from for a good price?? I don't want it to be bad quality ☹️

[@Krzygeley]

You should be proud of this video. What a marvelous expression of, well, everything that makes music special

[@KenzieTrinityDeasy]

Ive been playing this instrument for the past 20 years, beautiful sound, stunning on how expensive it can get

[@connor.chan.jazzman]

This is awesome! I've been wanting to get into Japanese or Chinese instruments, and this guy is proof that commitment and passion can get you anywhere.

[@DezMonKei]

10:24 The introspection at the end was beautiful

[@matrix12x]

this was awesome!!!

[@jkrause365]

That was really interesting. Thanks!

[@fugalibrana]

Mr Abbott is a pro. Excellent video! I hope I come back to my shamisen practicxes again. Greetings from Finland :D

[@MreenalMams]

SG back with a bang.. i would love to play the shamisen..

[@KenneyCmusic]

Rad video. I've always wanted a shamisen. I love the sound. They remind me of a banjo, and they're usually tuned DGD, so you can play western music on them pretty well. I've seen some really cool shamisen bluegrass fusion stuff on here.

[@DjDoggDad]

Check out sanshin, a lot cheaper easier to maintain, basically the middle evolution between sanxian and shamisen

[@michaelmoore7975]

Check out the Mongolian band called The Hu. (not The Who) They play a Morin Khuur. A horse head fiddle.

[@KenneyCmusic]

@@DjDoggDad Nice! I've seen sanshins before but never considered them being cheaper! There's some decent ones for half the price of a shamisen. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@KenneyCmusic]

@@michaelmoore7975 I dig that band! There's a Taiwanese chick on here namd Nini that plays asian instruments really well

[@michaelmoore7975]

@@KenneyCmusic You say bluegrass fusion.....then you must know about Bela Fleck-san? I also like watching the shamisen girls Ki & Ki. I'll check out Nini.

[@oscarevans4139]

I have a rare vinyl record of some blind Koto player from the 50s it’s pretty dope

[@levonlarson4048]

So door

[@JRuni0r]

I cracked at up the end when he began to build the mixed heritsge/culture of the continent spanning teacher - influences - student roadmap.

[@daggercatz7297]

Wow what a suprise, never expected to see Kyle Abbot on a guitar channel haha

[@KelticKabukiGirl]

Never expected Sammy G to pronounce Sha Mi Sen as SHAM E sin like a total Canuck. I figured he would have learned the correct pronunciations of his ethnic home tongue. He pronounces Yamaha(Yah ma ha) like YAM aha. Like candied Yams. I know he's Canadian, just surprised there wasn't any teaching of it at home or something. Its weird but I am an old Otaku and linguist and that is why I know the pronunciations.

[@scottreynolds6317]

Awesome video! Thanks SG!!!!! 🎸🔥🎸🔥🎸

[@RulgertGhostalker]

I could definitely see the instrument, and playing styles, inhaling someones interests completely.

[@judih.8754]

That was so interesting to hear!

[@SH4M4N_YT]

What a wonderful video! I love the shamisen!

[@MichaelEMJAYARE]

That last little “flavor” riff he played was like fuckin’ slap bass funky shit. Now I want a Shamisen

[@KelticKabukiGirl]

Imagine this feeling but it being for 3 decades, then you will know my pain of not owning a shamisen.....😅

[@GuillermoSmyser]

So cool. I gotta try one of these one day.

[@woolfel]

love the shamisen. The yoshida brothers is one of my favorite shamisen artists.

[@mateuszprais854]

I find something liberating about instruments and music like this. Tune it to your voice, play it like your grandpa showed you and add some spice to it.

[@rockerbuck967]

That is beyond awesome - I'd love to play one. I have a CD of traditional Koto music, and it's so soothing. I've tried playing the songs on guitar, but of course the nuances are lost. But it's still fun.

[@russellzauner]

Fun Fact: every culture that has stringed instruments has a banjo

[@nuberiffic]

What's the french one? The german one? Italian? Ones from Africa?

[@barb0za0]

@@nuberifficbanjos are african in origin

[@michaelmoore7975]

And a violin. Check out the Mongolian Morin Khuur.

[@elbschwartz]

Not true at all.

[@thadoubleapyt223]

@@nuberiffic It’s called a “Concert Zither” or a “Zither Banjo”

[@saoirsecameron]

Hup! And similar vocalizations are also used in Irish traditional music to indicate a change in the music to other musicians

[@ilovebutterstuff]

Inspirational. I love Japanese culture, I try to incorporate the style into what I do. Mastodon is a great example.

[@jonathanheim5842]

I definitely hear this bluegrass influence when he plays, I'd bet he played clawhammer more than Scruggs.

[@KelticKabukiGirl]

Appalachian Blue Grasss is an Americanized version of Celtic Folk Music. The Banjo, Bohdran, Fiddle, Tin WHistle etc are all also Celtic Folk Instruments along with Pipes

[@fortunefavorsthebold3459]

I don't know if I'm just brainwashed by the hours upon hours of Kurosawa films I watched growing up, but I couldn't help hearing a similarity between this and classic Morricone-style Western music. I'd love to hear a fusion of the two styles!

[@chipyamada]

may I suggest this! Estradasphere's Those Who Know, featuring and composed by Shamisen Master Kevin Kmetz, with production in a very Morricone influenced style. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJa0iWp9rqh_g5o

[@TheStrykerProject]

Filming in the rain. Samurai!!

[@bazzer124]

Totally cool video. The Shamisen reminds me of the sitar or gayageum. I like the nasally, cigar box guitar sound of it. More please. Cheers....

[@Flaming-Hedgehog]

Definitely an acquired appreciation required for this sound.

[@retrogroovecraft]

In the late 80's, I took part in a theatrical production of The Emperor's New Clothes, in Kabuki theater style. In a time before the internet, I had to research and build a Shamisen from a handful of encyclopedia photos and then develop an ear for the style, well enough to improvise atmospheric and occasionally, featured music through much of the show. The instrument turned out really well, considering I guessed on things like using the goatskin from a tambourine, and a mix of banjo and classical guitar strings. But, the best moment was when the American College Theater Festival judge asked how long I had been playing the instrument, and was shocked to hear that I learned it for the production, and had to build it, before I could begin practicing what I had only been able to listen to on cassettes the director had compiled for me.

[@kilroyfrills3084]

If you liked this video or the shamisen music in general there's a very underrated anime called "Those snow white notes" that's about shamisen players.

[@kennybruce2597]

Loved it!

[@stevenpope]

The sound of blues and sorry knows no language or cultural barriers. This video inspired the sh!t out of me lol.

[@rkk578]

I need to buy one of these.

[@kurapeeee2010]

great video! 4:06 the kanji should be “撥” for bachi by the way

[@grapefruitsimmons]

Was just thinkin last night "damn i havnt seen sammy g in like a month" lol

[@mrshaneyt43]

Like you said at the end music really has no borders and truly worldwide.

[@Anormalhumanman]

You inspire the fuck out of me bro.

[@ChaosReacon137]

It's the beauty of music and cultures, one's ethnicity isn't a restriction

[@johnro6659]

Glad to see this vid. I have a Shamisen. I bought it after watching the Wagakki bands Ninagawa Beni wail on one in a vid. I went online and bought one right from Japan and probably paid too much. Friends should not let friends drink and buy! LOL I had it for a while but the skin on the front and back split and no own around here works on them. I have been to the Bachido web sight for info. Great web site I learned a lot. I might try doing the repair myself.

[@decios77]

Wagakki Band mixes traditional jpanese instruments with rock. They are so cool and different

[@CMCustom112]

I love Surf Rock and Elecki and Terry Tekeshi, but did not know the resurgence of the traditional art was somewhat tied to it.

[@shalomsanbi]

Sooo cool ❤❤❤🎉

[@macsarcule]

Hooray!!! 😃✨

[@yaboiflats6986]

Now I want one

[@Trobtwillis]

❤ this!

[@Trobtwillis]

How do you message a KZbinr on telegram?

[@hyonimaru]

i dnno why but i always loved shamisen, the sound and distortion tinggles with my brain ahahahhahahaha

[@patsgarage8593]

This was really cool!!

[@bronsoncarder2491]

Tenth! lol Great video. For some reason I kept expecting Brendon Acker to join this chat. lmfao Would be awesome to get all of you guys together. Just all of the weirdest multicultural instruments of all time. Oh shit! Special episode of weird gear maybe?

[@connorj.dunckel4223]

A week from now we’re going to be getting yoshida brother covers

[@AMPProf]

FUTURISTIC INTRO BRI

[@sheltongolden4394]

Love the sound of the shamisen! The way it's constructed and sounds, it's kind of like a "Japanese banjo." I wonder if anyone plays the shamisen with finger picks.

[@michaelmoore7975]

The Mongolians have a violin type called the Morin Khuur.

[@Default78334]

Shamisen players wouldn't, but the Chinese ancestor to the shamisen (the sanxin) is frequently played with finger picks. See also the biwa which is played with a large plectrum, while the Chinese pipa is usually played with finger picks. The koto, on the other hand, is typically played with finger picks.

[@scottbogfoot]

Japanese plektrum looks like the nicest ice scraper ever

[@michaelmoore7975]

2,000 bucks ...I hear. I can get ice scrapers 2 for a dollar

[@XcaptainXobliviousX]

eyy its kyle! from the mobile thumbnail i thought it was mike lol.

[@phalcon23]

6:30 you can tell a good musician when they can instantly make music on an instrument they have never played before

[@mona-ns6ml]

三味線とても似合う❤

[@henrys3629]

Playing in the rain....... Role reversal in this one.

[@tatters72]

Oh, I'm not sure how I'm going to sneak one of these in to the house. Mission Impossible.

[@R_Amen]

thats one funky banjo

[@I.M.Guitar-Nerd]

Nice ending! 🤣🤣🤣

[@ImnotgoingSideways]

10:48 Appalachian!? How did you not get tempted to perform a Shamisen cover of Dualing Banjos!?

[@georgevillanueva6926]

6:59 😂pure joy

[@giddycadet]

i want to hear Journey of the Sorcerer on this thing so bad

[@SgtStinger]

This looks super fun to play. Too bad they are quite expensive to buy

[@signbear999]

I was scared for a second, as a traditional Japanese music enthusiast, when I saw the video title, but once I watched it, I realized that everything I know about Japanese music is right.

[@pkPUX]

This reminded me of videos from a guy made 15y ago..just youtube "Shamisen Malmsteen"

[@michaelmoore7975]

Are you sure it wasn't Bela Fleck-san?

[@pkPUX]

@@michaelmoore7975 it was Shamisendemon that is the name of the channel :D

[@nvdawahyaify]

Do you mean that you were in santa cruz California? I live not too far from there.

[@svenneudecker]

That was fun

[@madvulcan8964]

I got two questions: 1. I’ve seen dozens of videos showing how a guitar can be tuned as a shamisen but can a shamisen be tuned as a guitar? 2. Can a shamisen be played without the bachi?

[@albertchurchill4845]

Hey Sammy! Check out the Ralph Bakshi film American Pop.

[@Slikx666]

Is there a bass version? 🤔

[@otakubancho6655]

I've always thought of as the Japanese version of the banjo.

[@michaelmoore7975]

They even have a Bela Fleck-san

[@TehCoza]

love your take on this topic. so refreshing, all you hear nowdays is "culture appropriation"

[@valvenator]

This is a good slalp in the face to those who complain about "cultural appropriation" without which the remnants of most cultures would disappear off the face of the earth. Makes you wonder where the Blues would be if wasn't for foreign bands like the Rolling Stones and such showing their appreciation for the art.

[@fatpad00]

Weird, i was just thinking about the "Japanjo" just a couple days ago

[@michaelmoore7975]

Was Bela Fleck-san playing?

[@artrogers3985]

I bet you’re very happy that you used the Orangewood that day huh? 😀🎸 Oh yeah. This video goes great with edibles.

[@phalcon23]

as a Canadian I thought you were plying with a ice scraper...

[@Jon-Tee]

JOYBOY HAS RETURNED

[@strafenone]

Koto video next?