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Post by davidmdahl on May 18, 2007 16:13:06 GMT
I am intrigued by the kokyu, although I need another instrument like I need another hole in my head. Of course, I said the same thing about three or four instruments ago. <g>
Best wishes,
David
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Post by kyokuhon on May 19, 2007 16:52:40 GMT
Yeah, me too. Tell it like it is, man!
K.
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Post by kyokuhon on May 19, 2007 17:56:54 GMT
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Post by Charlie Huang on May 19, 2007 20:45:08 GMT
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Post by kyokuhon on May 21, 2007 14:32:27 GMT
Yeah, him too. Looks like he's in the same place as the other one I sent.
K.
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Post by kyokuhon on Jun 17, 2007 16:48:20 GMT
Hi, guys, Just a shammy update: I've got my shamisen, and waiting for the Kinoshita book to be delivered. I've had a great time just playing around with it, though I'm looking forward to having time to learn more refined (if I can use that word regarding Tsurgaru shamisen!) techniques. I've also had limited time for practice, since I've discovered that my guqin practice technique of staying up until all hours and playing while the rest of the family sleeps doesn't work as well with shamisen! I also found a link about shamisen from chordscanada.com: www.promusica.or.jp/english/06_3shamisen.html. It's helpful to get playing terms for this non-Japanese speaker, and this quote confirms the original problem that led to this string: "(2)Sukui Picking a string up from the surface of body with a plectrum. (We can play a sound like tremolo, when we repeat quickly striking it down and picking up. But it's not easy to play)" Anyway, I'd be interested to hear how others are doing. Best, and keep playing, K. |
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Post by kyokuhon on Jun 17, 2007 16:51:57 GMT
Oh, and more about chordscanada: still don't know experientially about quality, but I've found they have integrity. I emailed them about buying a new bridge for my shamisen, and they told me I didn't need one. Therefore, I suspect that their quality is high.
Best,
K.
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Post by kyokuhon on Jun 28, 2007 19:55:03 GMT
Hi, all,
Another note about the "up" stroke on shamisen. I've found, after a little practice, that it works pretty well if I make sure to keep my thumb right up near the tip of the bachi like it shows in the books.
Best,
K.
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Post by kyokuhon on Oct 23, 2007 21:31:02 GMT
Hi again, shammy guys.
Another quick note; I looked more carefully at my instruction materials, and realized I'd missed the part about putting your little finger behind the handle of the bachi. I also had the chance to attend a mini-symposium on shinnai-style shamisen, and had this reinforced. Helps a lot with the up-stroke.
Tsugaru-style is coming along, I've got Ringo Bushi, Tsugaru Jinku pretty much down, working on others.
How's everyone else doing?
Best, and keep playing,
K.
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Post by sokyoku on Jul 27, 2008 20:26:50 GMT
Hi, kyokuhon and shami people:
Tsugaru Jinku was the first Tsugaru-style piece I was taught, and still one of my favourites. And earlier this month, there was a presentation in my area too about shinnai. It's interesting to discover the technical differences (and similarities) between shamisen genres/styles - means you always have to keep your wits about you when switching back and forth!
kyokuhon, have you gotten any other Tsugaru pieces under your belt since last fall?
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Post by kyokuhon on Nov 6, 2008 3:43:24 GMT
Hi, sokyoku and all,
Thanks for asking, and sorry I haven't been around for awhile. I had worked out several pieces, including one learned from a CD, "Fubuki. I had also decided that, since I'm unlikely to ever play with other Tsugaru players in any meaningful way, it was ok for me just to play around and make my own versions of traditional pieces. However, I've been playing a lot of classical and parlor guitar lately, and then when I opened my shamisen last week string 2 was broken. I tried tying it back together, but that didn't work, so I'm looking for the best source for a new string. Going to try chordscanada when I leave here. Wish me luck!
I also saw a presentation of shinnai last year, perhaps it was the same master. Yes, VERY different, and haunting.
Best, and keep playing,
K.
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kuduchi
Novice
Quena, Shamisen
Posts: 19 
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Post by kuduchi on Feb 18, 2009 15:52:58 GMT
There is sort of a variation on the shamisen called the kokyu that is bowed like an erhu (niko). It seems pretty rare, but I ran across a CD by Michiko Wakabayashi that I found very intriguing. Does this sound familiar or interesting to anyone? Thanks. Best wishes, David The kokyu resembles a shamisen, but it is a mini (yet cute) version of it. It's Okinawan relative also resembles the sanshin. The niko, I believe is a Japanese version or just the Japanese name for the Erhu. I have seen it on youtube though. |
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Post by davidmdahl on Feb 18, 2009 17:52:02 GMT
The kokyu does appear smaller than the typical shamisen, but does not look or sound like a toy to me. I find it quite expressive and a serious instrument, although I prefer the erhu.
What is the Okinawa version of the kokyu called?
Best wishes,
David
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kuduchi
Novice
Quena, Shamisen
Posts: 19
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Post by kuduchi on Feb 18, 2009 19:27:27 GMT
Hi
The Okinawan version of the kokyu is called Kuchu. In Japan, I believe they are made from cat or dog skin like the Shamisen. In Okinawa, the Kuchu is made of snake skin and resembles a little sanshin.
The kuchu, I have only seen it used for Classical Okinawan music (koten).
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Post by kknupp on Jul 6, 2010 5:43:06 GMT
I just purchased a Shamisen in Amami, Japan and bought a book with Tab. I am trying to learn a song and just wanted to clarify something. The numbers on the tab ex: 0,3,1 mean open, 3rd "fret" and 1st "fret correct? I play guitar and am trying to relate my knowledge of that to the Shamisen. The person I bought it from was kind enough to put dots on the first 3 frets so I have an idea of where to place my fingers.
Also if a song is in the key of F would I then need to tune my Shamisen to F Bb F ?
Many thanks
Kristi
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