Finally have a Shamisen!

General
#1

I have a Shamisen, Oh Happy Days…….but I am having problems putting in together…plus I think I have already damaged the San-no-ito, looks like it is ready to snap! I am not sure what type of Shamisen it is but I am leaning towards a nagauta Shamisen as the neck is very thin and the hatomune slopes downwards.

I am very excited to start learning but too scared to touch it at the moment in case I break it! I was happy because the box it was delivered in had loads of Japanese writing on to add to my collection of miscellaneous Japanese writing which I will one day be able to read! then the left over parts of the box were used in the log burner to keep me warm and heating playing up : (

I can start sewing a Fukuro for it now that I know the measurements.

#2

Congradulations Tegan! I don’t know much about shamisen, but it sounds like it might be a nagauta.

I was happy because the box it was delivered in had loads of Japanese writing on to add to my collection of miscellaneous Japanese writing which I will one day be able to read!

You and me both!

#3

My new baby!

#4

yup same swoop as mine, nagauta
CONGRATS at least yours is playable XD
excited?

we’re getting quite a collective of UK players now, we should have a meet up like Cana suggested.

#5

At this rate I do not think I am ever going to be able to play it as it just will not stay in tune, the itomaki seem to slip once I have tightened the Ito so it becomes slack again. That and I am useless at tuning instruments so all these contributing factors are delaying my learning! So frustrating : (

#6

there is a thread somewhere that mentions slipping itomaki, can’t remember who mentioned it but kyle uses rosin which you should be able to get at most music shops or even ebay

#7

Thanks Amanda, I found the thread where it was mentioned before and I will try out the ideas there. One mentioned using toothpaste, never thought of using toothpaste to add friction to the itomaki, would be interesting to have a shamisen that is minty fresh!

#8

Yes rosin works great for slipping itomaki. A nagauta looks fragile don’t worry everything but the skins are pretty tough.

#9

It took me four hours but I have finally finished my fukuro, made it too wide at the bottom but I might add some quilting to make it soft and more protective.

I also made a Doukake to match the fukuro.

Sorry the picture quality is not too great!

#10

excellent work there!

#11

Noooooooooooo!! the San-no-ito has snapped. OK I did expect this as it looked damaged, but I finally tried to play it after I tuned it (tooth past worked on the itomaki though I think I will get some rosin as less mess!) then SNAP! thats the end of my first lesson : (

Will have to wait until pay day to order a new one.

#12

Very nice fukuro! I love the sakura pattern! Make sure you order a lot of extra san no ito since they will probably break often.

#13

Tegan, if you want to start playing now, take the broken string to a guitar store and see if they have a nylon string of similar thickness - a light or extra-light gauge classical high E string will probably do it.
That will do you until you can get some proper strings, and won’t harm the instrument as long as it’s thin enough. I haven’t actually tried this, but my only concern would be that a guitar string might be just a bit too short for the job.
And, like Cody says, order a couple of ichi and ni no ito as well as a pack of 5 san no ito - you will use them up if you play regularly.

#14

Yay the UK has one more shamisen :smiley:

#15

Yes the number of Shamisen players in the UK does seem to be growing.

I will try to find a music store in the area to see if I can get hold of a guitar string similar to the San-no-Ito. I have ordered a back up set of all the strings I think it comes with a couple spare San-no-Ito.

#16

Congrats Tegan!! it is so great when you recieve your shamisen! I was working when my wife sends me a whatsapp with a picture of the package!! lots of happiness! jejeje

And I feel like you at first, you didnt want to hurt it. I am still scared to broke my skin with the bachi.

congrats again!! :slight_smile:

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