Kora, Shamisen and a glimpse into the Thai world of Catherine

General
#1

Hello Bachido lovelies
I’d like to let people know that I’ve been busy making instruments and now have some for sale. At the moment, I have one Kora and one Shamisen ready and two Shamisen that are close to being finished.

The web page for my instruments currently for sale is:
https://musicforestinstruments.wordpress.com/instruments-for-sale/ there you will find some photos that are linked to my Picassaweb site and there is a soundcloud clip as well as images of the Kora.

I have a page devoted to pricing and I encourage you to check that out if you might be interested in one of my instruments: https://musicforestinstruments.wordpress.com/pricing . I am most willing to negotiate prices for people that are low on funds. One of the reasons that I moved here is that I can focus on instrument making and still eat. This allows me to be flexible with how I price instruments, especially at this critical beginning time. Much of what I am doing at the moment is an exploration on so many levels.

If you would like to peruse around the site, you’ll find some videos, words and images as well as thoughts about some of the philosophies behind my work in general and especially in regards to bridging a connection between the human/natural world.

I have a more general site/blog connected with my moving and living up here: http://dondtreebpa.blogspot.com where there are pages with audio and video, about my long rides in the Canadian prairies and other fun stuff.

As some of you reading this might know , I am living and working in northern Thailand in an old traditional Thai wood house, ⅔ of the way up a forested mountain to the east of Chiang Mai. It is a lovely existence and I am happy as happy can be puttering away in my own little world making instruments from gorgeous tropical woods. However, it is time for me to start getting some of my instruments out the door. That way I can make some more!

At the moment, I’m focusing on building Kora and Tsugaru Shamisen. As I mentioned above, I have one really sweet full sized Kora finished and ready to go and one Tsugaru Shamisen just waiting for me to attach the kawahari (skins). Both those instruments feature Mai Bradu as the primary wood that they are constructed from. I have two Shamisen made with Mai Daeng that are in the final stages of construction and I am tinkering with making a Shamisen sao/neck from a very rare wood called Mai Rak that will depart a fair bit in form (though not function) from the standard Tusgaru Shamisen.

I have some ideas percolating for other types of instruments as well such as the Tuvan Igil and the similar in concept, Kazakh Kobyz.

Finally, if you know of anyone that might find what I’m doing compelling I would be most grateful if you could pass on my info.

Cheers, thanks so much for reading this and I hope all is well your way,
Catherine

#2

#3

already I find this is cool on so many levels and I would bombard you and bachido with orders if I had the dough to spare . . . :slight_smile:

since I don’t I find it cool to at least have gotten a fukuro from the woods of thailand expertly crafted by Catherine and great all around service too definitely very happy about that purchase so I do feel like saying thanks again Catherine . . .

#4

Thanks right back atcha BH!

#5

Those are incredible! I might have to commission a kokyu from you one of these days.

#6

Hey, thanks Kyle!
I had to look that up, kokyu! Super interesting.
Now you’ve got me interested.
How exiting.

#7

Am watching some you tube videos of kokyu. really interesting the way the bow hair seems quite loose. Am I seeing that correctly?

#8
#9

Hey, You found a video of me and my kokyu! :slight_smile:

Yes, the bow hair is loose, even more so than a erhu bow. It’s one of the more frustrating things about the instrument, because you have to make a mental effort to keep the bow hair taut, turn the instrument to play the right string, and play the right notes. It’s much different than pulling a bow across a violin string, that’s for sure!

I’ve actually started using an erhu bow in place of the kokyu bow, especially for recording, since it’s a little easier to keep the notes smooth.

I aspire to be as good as Daisuke Kiba. His kokyu definitely looks to be custom made and has four strings instead of 3.

[edit]
Kiba-San’s Kokiriko Bushi is way better than mine, by the way. :wink:

#10

Isn’t THAT cool. Beautiful playing Kyle. Thanks for the other links as well. Cheers. C

#11

Here’s a link to a soundcloud track of the shamisen that I play with the calfskins that I am currently using. Really just to give a sense of the type of sounds that the instruments I’m making will likely make if I do the kawahari work. I’m just noodling here so, well… you know.

#12

The mai rak itomaki look pretty wild! B-)

#13

Awesome Caterine! It’s truly a blessing to hear from you here on bachido! I can’t always afford but I still really love your work!

#14

Kevin! Thanks so much for you very kind and welcome words. Hope all is well your way and trust that your wee bairn Sofie is bringing wonderful joy to you and Kumiko.

#15

Oh thank you so much Catherine!

#16

The mai rak itomaki look pretty wild! B-)

o yes! born of the wild jungle!!! :wink:

© 2020 Kyle Abbott