Hi everyone im new here names Deshaun.Glad i found this site looks like i’ll find everything i’ll need to get started. So i was wonder how hard is it to transition from guitar to shamisen? From my research on tunings and such i’d think i’d be easy enough to transfer scales and other theory stoff,so im thinking its mostly a matter of technique?
I’ve been playing the guitar for 13 years, and then I mean just playing on my own and not taking any master classes, with the occasional advice from my dad who is a guitarist.
I definately feel that I have improved faster due to this. At least I know it’s been much faster learning stuff than when I learned to play the guitar. Holding and using the bachi (plectrum) is the main difficulty that I have. This includes the precision and power needed to strike the correct string properly. Aside from not having the frets, playing with the other hand is easier than on the guitar because the strings are looser. It’s much easier to pull off pull-offs (;)) and hammer-ons.
Cool,Thanks for the info Karl.
Hi Deshaun,
I also played guitar before becoming a Shamisen Player.
There`s a few things to understand regarding the difference
(beyond the obvious) and also a few things to consider about the Shamisen
in itself (with no reference to any other stringed instrument).
First I will have to admit my own guilt. When I play Shamisen I often (intentionally)
try to add in influences from violin, Saz, Oud, Guitar, kamancha (even piano) and almost any other instrument.
But I will say this… even though guitar skills will be beneficial, it can also be a tremendous disadvantage when learning the basics of Shamisen.
Here`s some thinks to be aware of…
In Shamisen sometimes the (finger)nail is used while fingering (left hand)
so it`s better not to start off with the habbit of fingering it the same way you would a guitar (flesh of the fingertips)
Also the shape of the left hand around the fingerboard should be approached with an open mind. If you think “Ah heck, I can just grab this olthing like a guitar and start pickin out scales and tunes Im already familiar with an apply the theory I already know,” etc… Then you will most likely come off sounding to many genuine Shamisen fans as a bit of a joke (or simply a novelty act)
As I already mentioned I apply non-japanese theory and scales to Shamsien ALL THE FRIGGIN TIME but I do so with the confidence of first having mastered the basic techniques of Tsugaru Shamisen. So be sure to consider this…
Learn about Shamisen with the beginers mind. All the other stuff you can add on later. But Please dont ignore that the Shamisen has its own soul which is unique in itself and much different in many ways to any other instrument on earth!
The point of traditional Shamisen music is not really to display ones knowledge of scales, theories (in a stringe way not even tunes or melodies) but more about capturing a mood which is accomplished almost through the mind of a zen practitioner or martial arts master. Im not saying it can`t be melodious or express harmony etc. but merely that those elements are far less important than say, Jazz guitar or classical piano.
Lastly It is important to spend a long time mastering the Bachi. The soul of Shamisen lies mostly there. and it doesn`t matter if you are the greatest guitar virtuoso in history. nothing can really prepare you for the bachi except for practice and an open mind.
Best of luck getting started!
-Kevin
Wow beutifully said. Your totally right ill definantly try to clear my mind of my guitar knowledge til I master the basics. Even if i dont master the shamisen as well as the guitar i’d want my playing to be true to the instrument,and isnt that the point of most good music to capture a mood? I think any instrmumentalist should use scales and theory as a means to do so otherwise your playing sounds well sterile haha. Thanks for the great advice Kevin very inspirational especially coming from someone i’d consider a master of the shamisen. i can tell your quite passionate about it.
Yeah some good words. I’m unfortunately a nail biter so I don’t have an easy time using my nail 
One more thing to think about is bending the string. I notice myself bending the string like on a guitar sometimes out of habit. In shamisen you slide the string instead because you get better speed and a wider possible interval.
In the beginning you will probably feel that your left hand will die as well 
That is until you learn how to balance the instrument so that your left hand does not have to carry all its weight. The neck is really heavy! As Kevin says you will be holding it differently. It’s more like holding it Jimi Hendrix style with your thumb closer to the side of the neck closer to you than like when you play classical music and your thumb is at the bottom edge.
Man i love string bending haha.My nails tend to chip and tear after awhile plus they get in the way for guitar ill find a balance i suppose. hmm interesting discription of holding it.
HAHA! True about the left hand (What Karl Hedlund said)
It`s really all about finding the balancing point to where you are anchoring the body against your own various body parts (arm/elbow, stomach area etc.)
When you find that point the left hand can move freely without any straining.
Yes, I’m not saying I’ve mastered it yet, but you get better at it every time you practice. One problem that I have is that the doukake that I made on my own has not any leather strips in it yet, so if I hold the shamisen like I should and hold the arm further down on the dou, the doukake slips off sometimes. I need to order some good leather strips!
Also I’ve noticed that you want to wear pants that are not of a stretch material or is loose. If I wear my cozy soft pants the shamisen will try to slip along the leg due to the material.