Hi. I recently was searching some online stuff using my mediocre Japanese skills to research some fishing stuff. I have been, for around 5 years, inputting Japanese characters into search engines to sift through masses of info that just isn’t available using English language searches.
Anyway, completely by accident, I came across some shamisen music. I am an amateur guitarist of sorts so have an interest in music and my ear is diverse. I do prefer classic and flamenco but will listen to jazz and almost anything new I can find to whet my curiosity.
No instrument for a long, long time has gripped me musically like the 津軽三味線.
So, on finding this wonderful instrument, I have listened to much. Maybe not so much as you guys but enough to know, I love the tone, the sound, the melodies.
I live in Jersey which is an island between the UK and France. Only 9 miles by 5 and 30 miles of sea to France, 70 to the UK so, a bit cut off physically.
I have just purchased Kyle’s book and started to read it. Refreshing style yet, full of relevant information (well done) and, I read alot of lesser works on many subjects where people claim to be definitive and comprehensive.
I have read through these pages and again, I am drawn in. So much so, I will take time now to back off and see if the curiosity grows or wanes before I make the leap to an instrument.
Right now, I’d lean towards a re-skinned 2nd hand good quality shamisen as lesser would likely be wrong for me and logistically, not a good move to buy cheap, buy twice, or more.
Anyway, great site, great info and, I’ll be watching and learning. Just thought I’d be honourable and decent and say hello.
–
Keith