Hey fellas. It’s the beginning of a four day weekend for those of us lucky enough (ha!) to be working for the government in the ol’ US of A. And, quite frankly, the only thing I have to entertain my mind at the moment is this forum and my college work. So, I’m purchasing a grand karin tsugaru shamisen from the shop here at Bachido, and I’d like to hear from you.
Do you have any vital tips for a newbie? And, is there anything that you wish you would have known about shamisens, or playing the shamisen when you were a newbie yourself?
Yes always wash your hands. I’ve never had to remove anything visual from my instrument with the cloth. It never gets dirty, but I still use it to remove what little has been put there. Don’t forget to use the cloth on the whole bachi as well.
Make sure to put on your koma the right way so that the big notch is below the thick string.
Always beware that your finger tips might be bleeding when you touch the skin. I’ve had to wash away blood from my skin with a damp cloth after I cut it open without realizing it. It can happen that your pinky hits the edge of the koma when you play in the beginning which can cut it open.
If you feel that you can’t hold up your shamisen, that your strikes are weak or that you can’t play some technique, we’ve all been there and felt the same thing. It gets better even if your mind wants to tell you that you are a failure and should do something else like watching Ricky Lake reruns and consuming icecream. (scumbag brain)
Outer walls are subject to a lot of temperature changes so don’t have your instrument near them.
Do not leave your Shamisen in your car.
Do not leave your heart in playing Shamisen only.
Do not forget to go to toilet while you are practicing Shamisen very hard.
Do not forget putting a fire extinguisher beside you while playing!
oh man I mean girl that is funny and not just in a superficial way . . . maybe some more additions for at least “10” commandments for the aspiring shamisen player to have printed out framed and decorate whatever wall
Yes, wash your hands by all means. But be sure they are thoroughly dry before you handle the shami. The glue holding the skin on hates any kind of moisture. The paper bag helps with moisture control. Also, if you come in from outside on a rainy day, your clothes might have some residual moisture even if they don’t feel wet. Any steps you can think of that will keep moisture away from the shami are useful.
