First Ever Bachido Challenge - Rokudan

Playing/Techniques
#61

Awesome!!! Though I was once told to slow Rokudan enough so the 4300 phrase could be at the same piece as the rest of the piece, the way you guys slowed the tempo for the phrases made it exceptionally dynamic and interesting.

In a non-musical note (though it does effect the experience), I really dig the lighting and color. I’m not sure if it’s the camera or setting, but the slight muted-ness makes it almost dreamy-movie-like. :slight_smile:

Yeah! Hopefully Grant will bring his bundles of footage next time we meet! :slight_smile: Also, I’d still like to make a blog on his last Hirosaki taikai adventure.

#62

Yes, we hired this really talented guy to set up the scene. We rearranged all of the furniture in the room to get the perfect picture.

Really I think it’s just a combination of the lighting, the color of the wall and my semi-crappy camera :slight_smile:

I don’t know if youtube allows 60 Hz, but it feels really crazy when I look at the original file. You are not used to seeing hands that move fast be that smooth. Cool.

#63

Hey guys! Long time no see!
I’ve been busy with all sorts of things the last couple of months and I really started to miss this awesome forum!

I just listened and watched through all of the uploaded videos here, and I’m amazed!
There are so many talented and passionate players, I become so happy.
And the other uploads with different ways of playing the Rokudan are so inspirational!
Now I got back the feeling of wanting to learn more and more.

Thank you all for sharing, it helps a lot for my inspiration and motivation!

I’ll be back with my own Rokudan in a while!

#64

On a side note, here is (finally) a short video review of the fiber-sen. Plus one more rendition of my rokudan.

Business starts around 2:25

#65

Ladies and gentleman - Kevin Kmetz’s entry into the Rokudan challenge!

Everyone! There’s only 11 days left! Enter the challenge if you haven’t done so already! :slight_smile:

#66

Oh, it is touching my soul. 心の琴線に触れられます。さすがです。
(ｰｰ;)

#67

Ooh epic… How can i notice this thread just now… :smiley:
interesting to see who all use mae -bachi and ushiro -bachi

I personally am still having problems with them :confused:
should practise more. Playing with eraser as a Koma since my koma broke to 2 pieces. Btw i think my koma was bone koma after all and not a plastic one.

edit: i switched the eraser to this
http://www.google.fi/imgres?q=lyijytäyte&um=1&hl=fi&sa=N&tbo=d&biw=1440&bih=799&tbm=isch&tbnid=wIAtDcS-UK14nM:&imgrefurl=http://lifeinmyeyes-niina.blogspot.com/2012/08/i-dream-of-dreamind-dreams-of-you.html&docid=5dhQo8JXyZu_tM&imgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2AmswLl2c8/UCkoe7BhmII/AAAAAAAACCA/BJyPe7LbpzI/s1600/P8144067.JPG&w=1280&h=960&ei=qfCtUI_pAcXa4QTjzoGgCw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=253&sig=114096632711300545583&page=1&tbnh=149&tbnw=202&start=0&ndsp=36&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:0,i:125&tx=95&ty=29

Has funny sound due to the things inside :stuck_out_tongue:

#68

. . . cool idea having things inside a koma like that I might try that out too

#69

Kyle, don’t rush the events :slight_smile:

This challenge begins now in September, and will run to the end of December 2012.

#70

Oooh snap! Got my months jumbled. Egg on my face. :stuck_out_tongue:

#71

Oh, hello all! I know this is by no means a great rendition of Rokudan, however In the light hearted and “just for fun” spirit of this challenge, I felt the need to attempt to learn it (even though I’ve only had a Shamisen for 5 days.) I just had a small celebration after giving my Shamisen a name, and felt a quick recording was in order. I will try to post another recording at the end of the month, to see how far I can push myself, and look back with pride to see how far I’ve come! You all are so inspiring, I can’t wait to see how well everyone else brave enough to try does! We can all only get better, right?

Without further ado, here I am (attempting) playing Rokudan on my Shamisen; 無限曲 (mugenkyoku - Lit; infinite melodies)

Of course, any tips, please let me know. I’m trying very hard to focus on Bachizuke, and with practise I hope to make my tone much clearer and not miss notes, especially in the higher range. I refuse to mark my Shamisen, so I’m playing without visual markers.

Happy playing guys and gals!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGaGKLg92uc&feature=youtu.be

#72

Holy jumping monkeys!! :-O!! How long have you been playing??? Only 5 days???

My advice? Join Team Bachido at Hirosaki 2013 please! :stuck_out_tongue:

Seriously though, that’s unbelievably good for only 5 days of playing. Just keep at it and continue getting more comfortable. :slight_smile:

#73

I thought you were a mustachioed man, but I guess that last vid was just a little bit of Movember, was it?

Anyway, yeah, like Kyle said, crazy good playing for having that thing for only 5 days. Keep that passion up and you’ll be pro in what, like, another week or so?

One thing I did wanna say though, the no-mark approach you’re taking is totally cool, and there are teachers who preach it, but there are professionals who do play marked shamisen. Maybe not the full neck of stickers, but it’s not uncommon to find people who mark a few important locations. Take Yamanaka Nobuto for example. He teaches at Senzoku Gakuen University, and he’s featured in their really great iTunes U series. (Someone started a thread about that series earlier. It’s amazing. Everyone should download all those videos. I found my favorite version of Aiya Bushi that way!) Here’s an example of him lecturing/demoing:

And just cuz, you should also check out this video of him playing Tsugaru Ohara Bushi and Akita Nikata Bushi:

I have to admit, though, even though he’s got the marks, I dunno if he ever looks at them. It looks like he’s just got his eyes closed whenever he plays. Could be sneaking looks, though, that sly man, he.

#74

Travis be rockin! I can only agree, really great for 5 days of shamisening!

You seem to have learned the notation pretty good and therefore you should be able to practice more on the bachi hand. Really let your whole arm move into the strike. The rotation of the hand is to get some more momentum right towards the skin. The rotation should not be moving away from the skin as it would if you played with a guitar pick.

Easier said than done, but keep it in mind and I’m sure you’ll try some stuff out with your bachi that will improve your strikes!

#75

Holy Divine Moment of Truth! You sir have just won the title of “Most awesome beginner” on Shamisen in the whole history of awesome beginners! Damn Travis. 5 days? You Rock! You’ve struck fear in the hearts of Shamiseners all around the world now! I for one am looking forward to hearing what you come up with in like 5 weeks, or 5 months even!

#76

Holy shit! 5 days?! Really! You´re awesome! Can’t wait to hear more from you in the future!
Have you played other instruments before (except the piano in the background)?

Keep on rocking! And do please join team Bachido for Hirosaki taikai 2013!!!

#77

It’s nice of you to have participated only after 5 days. If it were 15 or 20 days, you might have left other participants without a chance.

#78

吃驚仰天ビックリギョウテンびっくりぎょうてん！(◎_◎;) Five days!!! 天才ですね。

#79

wow that’s awesome for 5 days! Well done dude thanks for posting :smiley:

#80

Thank you all very much! Your constant support and encouragement is amazing, you guys are so great!

Kyle: thank you sir, I wish I could make it this year, but I don’t know if it will be feasible. I am definitely going the following year.

Jamie: Yes sir, my mustachiosity was a movember only affair, and it’s probably for the better. It’s hard to tell if he sneaks a peek or not, but he is an incredible player, thank you for the link to his videos.

Karl: Thank you! I feel like my confidence is affecting my bachi striking. I will definitely focus on my strikes. I am still worried about maebachi and ushirobachi, so I need to focus on the actual strike.

Kevin: I am honoured. Truly, thank you kindly! I look forward to seeing how far everyone grows as we learn and study this amazing instrument together!

Anne: Yes, I’ve played many instruments, including the piano. Stringed instruments are rather new to me, I am more familiar with Brass and Woodwinds. (I’ve been very interested and occupied with my Shakuhachi these days.) Thank you!

K H: you are very kind, but I feel like there is an incredible amount of talent in this community. Hope to hear your entry!

Liam: Thanks dude, hope to see your video before the new year!

きょこさん、ほんとうにありがとうございます!そうでもないですけど。天才ではありません。三味線のことが好きだけですね。六段ひけることありますかい？聞いてみたい！

© 2020 Kyle Abbott