I was up bright and early this morning eager to learn…
I was practicing along with the pdf tab and it sounded okay,
But when I try to play along with Kyle in the video,
I sound horrible…
When I play the strings open they sound great,
but when I finger the note…
Let’s just say the comment from Deborah was (And I quote)
It sounds like you’re torturing that thing!!!
I think part of the problem, besides the student (me) is,
I have my position markers set for a Tsugaru Shamisen
and mine is quite abit smaller.
If I compare it to the plans in Kyle’s book, the dou is about
3 to 4 cm. smaller.
If I move the koma, two fingers from the edge, instead of three,
would this help?
Right now from the kamigoma to the koma is 75 cm.
Is this about right?
I was thinking moving the koma would be easier than moving the markers,
but I will do that to, if it is recommended, instead.
My advice would be to get the correct positions marker for your shamisen. Being off note is like torture for quite a lot of people, including me. Kyle has added a video on where to add the position marker tape and I would presume that smaller shamisen use the same procedure. When you’ve got that in place, the koma should be adjusted so that when you play the strings open and then on the 10th position, you should clearly hear that the tone is the same but one octave higher, that is no difference in pitch except for the octave. If you notice that you need to move your finger a bit to the left it means the string is too short and you need to move the koma farther to the right. If its the other way around and you need to move the finger to the right of the 10th position, the string is too long and you need to move the koma a bit closer to the left.
Check Kyle’s video out and see that you have applied the positions correctly. I don’t know right now if my shamisen is 75 cms, but somebody here should know. I can measure mine tomorrow otherwise.
Accidently created a new post. Please remove.
Hi Karl,
Thanks for your help. That really helped out.
My Shamisen sounds great now.
I can play along with Kyle’s video and the tone
matchs up much better now.
Thanks…
Was it the position of the koma that had to be changed?
Glad I could help!
My way of doing it is that since I remove the koma every time I have played I want a fast way to get it right. What I do is that I look at the edge of the doukake and I align the koma with a certain part of the doukake that I know will give me the correct length. My doukake has a pattern so it’s easier to match it up. I guess if you have trouble finding the same spot again you can put some discreet marker on the under side of the edge. You can also match it up with the skin but that is a bit harder imo 
Sometimes I need to move it slightly and then I use the octave method.
Hi Karl,
Thanks again,
Yes, I ended up moving the koma quite abit to the right…
So now I have it at 77 cm. and I play just to the left of the markers,
and it sounds great.
Your idea is a great one, I have been using the tape measure to set my koma,
But I like your idea much better.
Sweet, that was easy. 
Good ideas, Karl! I approve. Glad your shamisen is sounding better, Marvin. Seeing it in perspective in your picture, it actually does look really good for what you paid for it.
I’m curious, how is the string action on your shamisen? (String distance from the top of the sao)