Jarvik7 wrote:

No, but I play the similar sanshin.
It took only a few hours to get the hang of when I started, but I already knew how to play guitar and bass.

You might want to start off with a sanshin. They are cheaper, more durable, use easier technique, and it's a more popular instrument (especially among foreigners) so there is more learning material available. One you get used to working the neck you can move on to a shamisen.

Just out of curiosity, how do you find notes on a fretless instrument like a sanshin? Do they have dots on the side of the neck like guitar to point where to press?

Rayath wrote:

Just out of curiosity, how do you find notes on a fretless instrument like a sanshin? Do they have dots on the side of the neck like guitar to point where to press?

Violine is also fretless, unlike the guitar f.e. As far as I know you would need to learn how to feel the right notes -- playing by ear?

Splatted wrote:

I play violin and double bass so I'll have a go at answering:

Thanks for the extended answer Splatted!
Wow, if so, playing on fretless instruments really takes skill. I play guitar and it seems impossible to me to locate everything without frets, just by muscle memory. If the spaces between the notes would be even it would be easier, but yeah, they become more narrow the higher you get.
I guess that on that type of instruments you more often are playing in one position frequently changing the strings rather than jumping from one place of the neck to another...

I thought of something on topic! Go me!!

You said that you were probably going to have to teach yourself, but have you considered having occasional consultation lessons? If you can find a teacher thats too far away for regular lessons you could still gain a lot from journeying out to see them every now and then. Also, if your in Japan for a few weeks that's a good opportunity to have some lessons to get the basics down as much as possible.

Whatever you do I'd also buy a mirror big enough that you can watch your whole body as you practice. It's useful for anyone, but if you're learning on your own you really need to see yourself the same way you see the examples your basing your technique on.

Rayath wrote:

Wow, if so, playing on fretless instruments really takes skill. I play guitar and it seems impossible to me to locate everything without frets, just by muscle memory. If the spaces between the notes would be even it would be easier, but yeah, they become more narrow the higher you get.

I think you'd be suprised how quickly you got used to playing without them. Can you play pieces you already know without looking? If so, it's just the same but you have to be a bit more accurate.

rayeth wrote:

I guess that on that type of instruments you more often are playing in one position frequently changing the strings rather than jumping from one place of the neck to another...

I don't know since I don't play a fretted instrument, but I think your probably right; it's usually a lot easier to go across strings when possible.

Edit:

TheVinster wrote:

And for anybody who just wants to listen to some shamisen, try Agatsuma.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR-q0izkt9M

Nice, kinda makes me imagine an old western.

Last edited by Splatted (2011 August 07, 3:48 pm)

pudding cat wrote:

Do you think it would be very difficult to learn with no teacher?

I know nothing about shamisen playing so I can't tell you how well you'll do on your own. It's pretty common for people to teach themselves guitar though, so I'd imagine it's possible for the shamisen too. You'll have to be really self analytical, but I'm sure your flute and piano teachers tell you you should be anyway. Already knowing how to play other instruments will be a big help, and I think overcoming the fretlessness is more an issue of practice than teaching.

If you do decide to do it you can mark the instrument (you can just use stickers) so you know where the notes are. I'd probably use an electronic tuner to make sure I got them in the right place. Correct hand shape is probably more important than on your other instruments because it also affects your tuning; if your hand shape changes then so will the place you put your finger down.

Shakuhachi vs Shamisen is something I can't help with. Personally, I want both.

pudding cat wrote:

Splatted wrote:

I thought of something on topic! Go me!!

Congratulations!

Sarcasm? You'll regret that...

Last edited by Splatted (2011 August 07, 6:16 pm)

What's a real shamisen?

@Splatted: Thanks for your advice! No sarcasm here I promise

@Nestor: I don't really get it...

Yeah, go with an artificial snakeskin one. The sound difference isn't huge and they are more convenient. No need to worry about oiling it or damage. Also no problem with crossing borders.

re: bachi (more correctly, tsume)
I recommend picking one up just in case, but many people play with guitar picks or their fingers. I also recommend a shinobi-uma if you ever want to practice without annoying anyone. Of course, get a load of spare strings and uma (of various materials) since they are consumables and replacements are hard to get overseas. A hard case is recommended too over a soft case. You may also want some spare karakui (tuning pegs) since they apparently break or wear out, not that it has happened to mine.

I got my artificial skin sanshin used mint with a hard case for ~5000en Regular new price 5man.

re: Shakuhachi
I don't play any wind instruments, but from what I hear shakuhachi is EXTREMELY hard, maybe more so than any other wind instrument. The simplicity of the instrument has to be made up entirely with masterful skill.

Last edited by Jarvik7 (2011 August 07, 7:05 pm)

I'm in the UK as well.
If you want to learn i have to say that the best place is Bachido.com run by sensei kyle.
It is THE best rescource i have seen by far and it's all free.
I'm waiting for my shamisen to arrive so i can get practicing. I can't read music or anything and this site has helped me so much as have the people there.
The visual aspect helps enormously for someone like me, and also the information given out is invaluable for those of us who find reading japanes a big challenge.