When starting Tsugaru Shamisen what is usually the first song to learn.?..
I think it always depends on the teacher if your learning from someone, but since Kyle made a whole lesson of a song on the site, Kuroishi Yosare Bushi could be best for you :3
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Usually the first song you would learn on Shamisen would be Rokudan. Kyle and I have discussed this one multiple occassions, and in our opinions, Rokudan is definitely not the easiest piece to start with. Give Kuroishi Yosare a go and see how it feels for you. I know that it was hard for me at first, but when I heard someone play it for me, it clicked really well. I also like Ringo Bushi for a first song as well.
Rokudan has so many basic skills in it, so it is good to start, but as being pointed out earlier, unfortunately it is not the easiest one to learn. I also recommend Ringobushi.
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hey maybe someone who knows how to play most of the songs could make some sort of list of easier, intermediate and hard songs?
Might help learn songs faster :)!
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Hey Ortjo,
I’ll arrange the songs in the Index of Pieces into an order of difficulty! 
Hopefully I can get it posted today (along with the Tuning page)
I went to look at the song list again to see what order the songs are usually learned in but I see the list has already been changed. http://bachido.com/overview/index-of-songs
Rokudan @ # 8. : 0
I probably will start learning the songs now how they are on the list.
It might take awhile for my fingers to warm up to play Rokudan anyway because of slight finger stiffness I get sometimes. Any recommended finger warm up exercises?
On to learning Kuroishi Yosare Bushi…
Give Thanks.
Aha! I am FAST! 
Thanks to Luke, of course. He uploaded it.
I would definitely wait for Rokudan. It does have all of the basic, essential fundementals of tsugaru shamisen. But what I’ve learned, shamisen “fundamentals” are not ideal to learn in the beginning, because the player first must be comfortable with the instrument before fundamentals make any internal sense. Get comfortable with the instrument first. Afterwards, learn the “rules” of the style, should you desire to.
I should make a video about finger warm ups. There are several shown in Shamisen of Japan. Also, Matt made a post here (http://bachido.com/community/forum/topics/21)
I’ve neglected wrist stretches for a while, but now have a newfound respect for them, as my wrists have been getting stiff!
Just noticed the (Wrist Exercises) post: http://bachido.com/community/forum/topics/21
some of the advice might be helpful in warming up to play Rokudan…
or any of that extended crazy hajiki stuff in any of the songs before Rokudan.
but back to the basics to get comfortable with shamisen.
Thanks kyle!
Really appriciate the list 
Going to “learn” Tsugaru jinku →