First Shamisen Performance Experiences

General
#1

This weekend (Labor Day Weekend for those in the US) I got to play shamisen in front of an audience for the first time at the local Japanese Festival. Six times actually: four with my taiko group and two with my shamisen instructor’s group. I played two songs for the taiko group as the only shamisen player off to the side so I felt pretty naked. My instructor’s group includes multiple koto and shamisen players so I wasn’t the only shamisen player, but I played eights songs that were a lot more complicated. I had a blast playing both shows and am pretty happy with my performance having started playing shamisen five months ago. Having people tell me how much they enjoyed the show and my playing was great feedback after weeks of intense practice. It was an awesome experience that I learned a ton from and I can’t wait to play more.

So I wanted to ask all of you what was your first performance in front of a live audience like? I learned you can’t trust the St. Louis summer to leave your strings in tune for more than a couple minutes. Tune early, tune often. I also need to work on speeding up my transition between taiko and shamisen. How about you?

#2

Congratulations on your first public shamisen performance!! :smiley: Man, it feels sooo nerve-wracking to play shamisen alone. But hearing that people enjoyed your performance makes it all worthwhile. :slight_smile:

I think I was 15 when I first played shamisen alone on stage (at the Japan Cultural Fair, at the invitation of a Mr. Kevin Kmetz!) The interesting thing was I had been playing mandolin on stage (bluegrass 'n such) since I was 9, and with that I had no stage fright or anything. I had thought the same would be the case with shamisen…

Oh man, not the case at all. I was fine if I played with another shamisen player, but if I was playing solo, my adrenaline rushed hard and I would blaze through the piece at an unmusical speed. Yes, one feels very naked playing alone, and you (well, I) just want the song to end as soon as possible, hence the rushing.
It felt fine in the moment, but when I listened to a recording… well, I think this picture says it all. :wink:

I eventually learned that to get the speed just right with adrenaline rushing, I had to consciously play as slow as possible, even though it feels way too slow. Then listening to a recording of that performance, the speed actually sounded just right! (if not still a bit too fast!)

Two years ago, I finally became able to control my nerves, but only through time after time of train-wrecking. :wink: At last, I can almost play on stage as comfortably as at home, but it’s taken a long time.

Other stories?

#3

My feeling is the same.

My first public performance was in a high school auditorium in front of parents and family with 100 people or maybe more. I was nervous because we had to look for my capo and I was already on the stage in front of everyone. But when I stared to play guitar and sing, I started to focus on my music and the stress went away.

A few years after, I was studying classical guitar and I had a lot of difficulty to manage my stress in front of the judges and teachers during my exams. I always had my hands cold, had blank and I tended to do like Kyle mentioned in the previous post: playing too fast.

My first public performance of shamisen was with Kayo Yasuhara to accompany japanese dance of Kokiriko Bushi and Kaigara Bushi. I was nervous but I knew I just had to follow Kayo and everything would be fine.

But for my performance at the Matsuri last month, I was playing and singing alone. I started learning Kayo’s part lyrics 2 weeks before.

Appart from the dancers, no one noticed but when I performed solo, I mixed the lyrics parts and I shortened the song a little too. The dancers were experienced enough to finish it with me anyway. Thanks to that, no one noticed.

I think the most important things to remember before preforming in public is to know your stuff without having to concentrate to much and focus on the music.

I am not comfortable playing solo yet but this is something I’m working on and I told everyone about it at the ShamiCamp 2 months ago.

#4

Jacinthe, I really enjoyed playing with you the last time when you improvised at Shamicamp! Kyle, Haha! Yeah bro!!! And Joel, congrats on your performance! Yes! It is going to get more and more fun from here on! Keep at it!

#5

Thank you Kevin, It was a pleasure and a great experience to play with you too!

We’ll probably see each other in March. :wink:

#6

Kyle, that photo makes me uncomfortable just looking at it. That is intense man. Props for making it through the performance. I might have needed a few cups (or carafes) of sake to get out there with a spotlight like that if it were my first time in front of an audience. Fortunately I’m looking forward to playing shamisen on stage again. Preferably with several more months or a year of practice behind me.

Jacinthe, playing in front of judges and teachers for an exam must have been extra tough. At least you can feed of the audience at a show. Glad to hear the dancers picked up on your playing. I swear I get more satisfaction recovering from mistakes and having no one notice than actually getting the part right. :slight_smile:

Thanks for the feedback and stories.

#7

Our first stage performance is even online! I have to admit we were pretty proud that day. But now…let’s just say we know we can do better now.

But here it is just for you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqpxZC6KXIE

It was comforting to be in a group. Each and everyone of us would have been frozen by stage fright standing/sitting up there alone.

#8

Thanks for sharing Martina!

#9

I love how you’ve arranged minyo medley to accommodate the range of skill levels! Watching it has been inspiring for arranging our group lessons in San Jose. :slight_smile: What’s more, it sounds so much more dynamic that everyone playing the main melody in unison! :stuck_out_tongue: Great show!

© 2020 Kyle Abbott