I’m currently trying to learn the 4300 pattern in hopes of making my own Jongara one day, and I’m wondering if the pattern has to strictly be strike, hajiki, scoop, hajiki, or can it be strike, hajiki, hajiki, scoop/strike, or similar variations of that. I ask because I’m having trouble chaining multiple together in quick succesion, and find that it’s somewhat easier doing it slightly differently. I’ll probably manage to learn to do it normally eventually, just wanting to know if it can be done another way. Thanks!
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I’m guessing, but I think 4300 is patterned that way because it’s the fastest way to play those notes and the easiest way to link that form to longer forms/variations.
Consider checking out Advanced Kamashi in the Schoolhouse. It teaches several forms and there are tons of practice videos to play along to.
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Thanks for the help. I’ll try looking in schoolhouse then.
Hello!
I’ve been strumming my shamisen all by myself in my corner for a few months now and after having managed to play Kuroishi yosare bushi in a fairly correct way (let’s just say that my wife stops locking herself in her office when I play), I tackled the shin jonkara bushi. The first step went well and I can play the whole piece without making any mistakes but I’m currently trying to add the pinch of salt that goes with it: sukui, hajiki and others.
I come to this famous phrase 4300…
In Kuroishi yosare bushi, it is 430 : downstroke-hajiki-hajiki
In Shin jonkara bushi it is 4300 : downstroke-hajiki-sukui-hajiki
Except that my hand persists in doing downstroke-hajiki-hajiki-sukui
I tried to reduce the speed to break the reflex sequence and separate each note, I try to play Kuroishi yosare bushi in a loop and very slowly to, again, avoid playing the three notes without voluntary intention but I have the impression of missing something…
I am looking for an exercise to practice to be able to play these phrases properly and above all, intentionally. Ideas, recommendations?
Thanks in advance!
Both variations of kamashi (4300) are fine - and you’ll hear both depending on who you listen to.
If you’re struggling to fully control your fingers though… the best answer is to go yet more slowly than you think you need to.
You need to drill tataki hajiki sukui hajiki until it becomes second nature - and there isn’t much you can do besides do it!
But there might be one thing :).
Try thinking of kamashi not as 4300 but as 43 00. Practice it as these two phrases that swing together to form the entire form. In time, this will also let you extend the phrase more easily.
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Huh, 2 replies in one day on an old post. Odd.
Thanks for the advice, but I’ve actually gotten the hang of kamashi since posting this. Well, mostly. It’s still a bit tricky to keep up consistently, but at least it’s fun!
Neither post was directed towards you!
Glad to hear you’ve gotten the hang of it though 
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Thank you very much for this quick and informative response! I will take good note of the advice and continue to work hard!
Oh, lol!
I thought your other post was directed at me, sorry.
It’s still great advice though. Especially the part about thinking of 43 and 00 as two seperate phrases. Thats a really great way to describe it!
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