So I’ve fallen in love with the sound of the Jiuta Shamisen. In my opinion, it’s the most unique, and sounds very mellow, but at the same time, very mysterious. But I still love Nagauta songs and I can’t really afford to get both a Jiuta and a Nagauta. So has anyone tried Nagauta songs on a Jiuta Shamisen, and if so, what’s your opinion on it? Would you give it a thumbs up or thumbs down?
I’d say play the instrument you like the best. Unless you were trying to learn a specific school of Nagauta, then you might want to consider getting a cheaper practice hosozao at some point.
While I study Nagauta, I love playing a little Tsugaru, Minyo or Okinawan on my hosozao shamisen.
I’ve tried Nagauta on a Chuzao that belonged to my wife’s father. Not the same, but it works. I did have to adjust my strumming for more delicate pieces.
I agree with Jon. If you are wanting to follow specific aesthetic protocol of a nagauta style, then getting a used hosozao shamisen would be a good way to start. However, if you simply like the melodies and flow of nagauta pieces, there’s nothing wrong with playing them Jiuta shamisen, or whatever instrument you have! 
Hi David, another jiuta player here. This is not a perfect solution, but if you want to get a slightly more nagauta-like sound on your jiuta shamisen, substitute a nagauta koma for your jiuta koma. That will “sharpen/crisp up” the mellowness of the jiuta instrument a bit, and also, buying a nagauta koma is way cheaper than buying a second shamisen.
She is playing jiuta on a jiuta shamisen (jiuta bachi and koma)
She is playing nagauta on the same shamisen (nagauta bachi and koma)
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Thanks for the replies. Domo Arigato Gozaimasu~. I noticed the first video kind of sounds a bit like a Nagauta, but with a different tone. I love the tone of the Jiuta. Also, about the Koma, I’m guessing I could buy a Nagauta Koma too once I get the Shamisen. (I’m still saving up for a real Shamisen, so I’m using a Sanshin that I got earlier this year for learning purposes) I may not use a Jiuta Bachi because those are very big, and I think I’d feel more comfortable with a smaller plastic Tsugaru Shamisen bachi. If only I could just choose between wanting to get a Nagauta or a Jiuta. Both styles are equally awesome and the tones of each Shamisen are both very lovely.