What is a Shamisen? | Learning A Traditional Japanese Instrument

[@KantanJapan]

Does anyone out there already play the Shamisen? Why not share some tips with a lowly beginner?

[@SimonJ57]

One of the best places for westerners to learn I recon is Bachido, which is based out of California which also sells and repairs Shamisen. It's a shame there's no good source in the UK. Scouring EBay for broken units if you have the tools to repair one can net you an absolute bargain. The owner, Kyle Abbot has written a book, "Shamisen of Japan". Has some Minyo (folk songs) in the back to learn. Also, HonChoShi is C-F-C? The Sanshin is incredibly similar but has a kind of horn worn on the finger to play. Could have mentioned SanXian (the Chinese version). But it's notation is incredibly limited, especially how a Shamisen is played like a guitar as if it has frets. Good video over all!

[@jamiep2451]

I started playing about 2 years ago, so probably no help Also, I play the tsugaru

[@KantanJapan]

Hey Simon, sorry must have missed your comment when you posted it. Thanks for the tips! Yea I'm already signed up on the Bachido forum and Facebook group, seems like a really great community. As far as I understand it, Honchoushi can be in any key really. C > perfect 4th > F > perfect 5th C is the same as D > perfect 4th > G > perfect 5th > D. It's just that most of the music that my teach gives me at the moment is in 'D Honchoushi' but I've seen a lot of sheet music for pieces tuned to 'C Honchoushi' although I don't think there were on a Jiuta shamisen. Thanks for watching!

[@KantanJapan]

Aha well I appreciate your honesty at least, cheers for watching :)

[@Joeyblondewolf2]

I just bought a shamisen. I'm so excited to learn

[@KantanJapan]

That's awesome, I hope you go far with it!

[@Poliphian]

Update?

[@Mrdeadneck]

Hey man I doubt you’ll see this but after a year how is it to play one would you recommend me get one

[@ibr7515]

We need an update 😔

[@PillowheadCreations]

Where u buy it I want one

[@AndyJapandy]

Dang, I didn't know a lot about the shamisen! Lots of info here! Can't wait to hear how you get better at it over time!

[@KantanJapan]

Thanks alot dude! Depends how much time I can dedicate to it over the next year but I'll guess we'll find out in the next update video!

[@tzukishiro]

I love how shamisen sound, can't wait to see how far you go haha

[@KantanJapan]

Yea the sound is so unique. Thanks, we'll see when I post an update in a years time aha.

[@RedHotUzumaki]

I had my tsugaru shamisen for about 3 years now, the different types of tuning makes it fun learning all kinds of music :3

[@yv3652]

You havent posted for a year so Im curious about your progress.

[@KantanJapan]

Hi Matthew, thanks for the comment. Yea I've been kind busy with work and other things but will actually be playing a short piece at my Sensei's student concert in January, so would like to try and film that and hopefully give you all an update!

[@pianoshann]

Wow! 15hours and you’re able to play like this? That’s amazing! I remember my first 15 hours of learning shamisen... I was maybe able to play 5% of what you just played 😂👏

[@KantanJapan]

Thank you! But actually, 17 years of playing guitar gave me a pretty solid foundation. Now I've gone through all the basics of shamisen I'm back to struggling, trying to master the more advanced stuff haha!

[@IsaacBenjaminGrey]

Super insightful, thanks very much

[@maxbello704]

Jolly good playing congrats

[@KantanJapan]

Cheers old chap!

[@veloopity]

great video for a beginner like me, very helpful!!

[@KantanJapan]

I'm still a beginner myself but you're very welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@28Cazo]

God, you are AMAZING!!! Let's get you that Shamisen!!! x x

[@oppaiuu]

I wish I could safe enough money for some begineer shamisen. Absolutely amazing instrument

[@KantanJapan]

Yea even the beginner ones are quite pricey! Mine was 2nd hand but after getting it reskinned it cost around $700!

[@Durplepurple94572]

Get a cardboard one then you can replace the cardboard part with a wooden one.

[@letshuman8985]

Loving the Oedo town theme in the background! A lot of the music in this game seems to be closer to the nagauta style.

[@KantanJapan]

This guy knows! Ah interesting, thanks for the observation. It's hard to tell with that twangy MIDI sound bank and my still limited knowledge on the subject aha.

[@letshuman8985]

@@KantanJapan After listening to this music for a while, you will start to notice. :) What made you decide on the jiuta style? I’m so amazed at the midi sounds of the game’s music. I thought they were using a real shamisen.

[@almusrosice876]

I decided to start saving for a Sugaru. I want to learn to play. I've been in love with the Shamisen for 25 years. My issue is do I want to go hard similar to Koki or a soft wood. Regardless, I will be using synthetic, not animal skin for the Koma. I live on the East coast of the US, and the shipping costs to replace a torn natural Koma would be astronomical. I found your video informative and inspiring. Thank you.

[@PillowheadCreations]

Where u get it?

[@Craneoflight]

Hey can you measure the scale length of the shamiesin from nut to bridge . I want to build one because I can't afford to buy it... but can't find the information anywhere. Thanks for the help

[@KantanJapan]

Nice, wish I could build my own! My shamisen is a Jiuta, so bare in mind that the scale changes for the different types. Also the bridge is not fixed so maybe it's not the most accurate measurement but mine is roughly 800mm(-/+ 2mm) from nut to bridge.

[@MilanoFuGorilla]

素晴らしい動画をありがとう

[@KantanJapan]

見てくれてありがとうございます！

[@brucelee7782]

Great video! Would love to learn the shamisen if only it wasn't so expensive

[@KantanJapan]

Thanks, yea that can be a bit pricey. I bought a second hand one which was around $700 after being re-skinned.

[@brucelee7782]

@@KantanJapan do you know where should one go to learn shamisen? Preferably free and in english?

[@evanlee93]

I just bought a shamisen and thought this video might be interesting to watch, and then I heard music from Ganbare Goemon! Instantly subbed.

[@KantanJapan]

Haha thanks you! I've actually been transcribing some Mystical Ninja songs and I've been meaning to make an update video on the Shamisen for a while. Hopefully soon!

[@evanlee93]

@@KantanJapan Yesss! I'm looking forward to it.

[@benhenderson9437]

Hi, I’d love a shamisen but they are hard to get in the U.K. are you able to help?!

[@KantanJapan]

Hey, sorry I just saw your comment. Yea they can be hard to find outside of Japan, but actually I just had a quick search on eBay and found something like this: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265098256701?epid=19034790776&hash=item3db916613d:g:U48AAOSwLYBf43vq The price is about inline with what you'd expect to pay for an entry level shamisen. I'm not sure if you want to play Jiuta (same as me), Nagauta or Tsugaru though? There's plenty of ways to acquire them though online. You could also try these guys based in the US: bachido.com/store Hope that helps!

[@voiceoflight8401]

I'm interested to play Shamisen. Can I buy and learn Shamisen by myself in my home country or I should go to Japan and learn there?

[@KantanJapan]

Might be expensive coming to Japan just to learn shamisen! I don't know what country you're from but Google is your friend. See if there are any Japanese communities near you.

[@BaronVonBullsheist]

I also love the Goemon games 💕💕 ビラジマ😂😂

[@ahmadmoussa3771]

I've been wanting to learn a shamisen for years as well (been playing guitar for roughly 10 years now). One thing I'm curious about (sorry I don't know much about your channel), do you live in japan? How do you manage not being too loud while practicing , so that you don't annoy your neighbours?

[@KantanJapan]

I think you'll be surprised how different the technique is compared to guitar. Yes I do live in Japan but the walls in my apartment actually aren't too bad so I just try to practice at a reasonable time (earlier than 8pm) and so far I've had no complaints from the neighbors aha. A lot of people practice instruments outside here too, as to avoid annoying their neighbours. I live close to a big park and there's always a few people there playing something.

[@nahte-]

the whole time I was waiting for him to tell us where to buy one, but he never did

[@KantanJapan]

Ah I'm sorry to have missed that out but this video was really more to document the beginning of the journey for me and also talk a little bit about the basics of the instrument. Also, outside of Japan, shamisen are quite difficult to find. Obviously you coudl just search 'Shamisen' on Google but you might have more luck looking for a Wagakki (Japanese Instrument) dealer near to where you live. Hope that helps!

[@mando8913]

Where did you buy your instrument?

[@KantanJapan]

I'm not sure actually, it was sourced through my shamisen teacher. I trusted her to find me a good quality 2nd hand one and then I had it polished up and re-skinned. In total it cost me around ¥70,000.

[@mando8913]

Do you have any suggestions as to where I could obtain one for an affordable price

[@KantanJapan]

Do you live in Japan? You can find a bunch online by searching 中古三味線, chuu-ko sha-mi-sen. That's basically 2nd hand ones, there's quite a lot on different sites but you have to be careful with the quality of the skin.

[@mando8913]

Thank you but I live in the states

[@KantanJapan]

@@mando8913 These guys are bases in the US, it's worth a check. bachido.com/store

[@elcidgaming]

Jusr subbed cause if this! I love guitar and am really interested in shanisen. btw might wanna check out one 15 yr old channel I found 3030south they uploaded sone badass shamusen plays there!

[@BrigadeAkaba]

I think that it sounds out of tune. Or maybe it's just me... o.o

[@KantanJapan]

I'm pretty sure it was. I was using my teachers rental shamisen at the time at it was strapped up with some really old nylon practice strings. Thing was almost impossible to keep in tune aha.

[@huseyinekiz6722]

hi, the bachi you are using is not suitable for your hand size 😊