Hey guys, just wondering what some of you have used to place markers for the different positions. I don’t want to deal with any sticky residue left on the shamisen, but at the same time I’d like to clearly be able to read a number for each position.
I’m going to use white out until someone gives me better advice.
Thanks. I’ve been trying to get back into my hobbies as of late. As it turns out parties have been taking up too much of my time.
i bought the clear numbered strip from the bachido shop. i REALLY love it. better than pieces of paper taped on
Hey, a perfect way to combine your hobbies is to bring your shamisen to parties! 
Grant often does that, I think.
White out would work just fine if you only want to highlight a few position marks. I’ve yet to remove a fujaku, but I wonder if there is sticky residue afterwards or not.
Sigh… it seems my biggest weakness lies only in memorizing the different positions. I make smooth transitions from each string and the positions I do know and I can in fact freestyle so long as I use positions I am used to, however, I am simply limited in my experience.
Ah, and Kyle, I would gladly do this, but it seems our parties are not a safe place for my shamisen towards the end of the night. haha
Also, I do hope your trip is going well friend! You seem to be having a lot of fun!
Oh snap. Well that sounds like only a matter of time as you get more connected with the sao. If you can already smoothly transition to the positions you are comfortable with, then it’s just gonna slowly build. 
Yeah, I’d still recommend white out for the positions you are unfamiliar with.
No worries brah, you got the Fibersen! You can spill beer on that shit!
Things are really really awesome. Returning tomorrow, which is bittersweet. Don’t want to go, yet there are so many projects I am excited to start and continue when I get back (not to mention see my family and, oh right, espresso)
Don’t forget this TJ: http://shamisen.karlhedlund.se/scaleviewer
It can help you memorize patterns that you can use to make your muscle memory remember the positions on the neck.
It will depend on the finish of your sao, but if it is only an oil finish I have found them to be sensitive. My experience is that removing a fujaku left a noticeable dull strip on the sao. Buffing did not make this go away. Refinishing probably would.
As for white out, kouki is a porous wood so the “paint” gets into the crevices. Even after sanding and refinishing I can still see traces of white out.
I am learning jiuta style so my teacher insists on no markings and no looking at the sao.
When I play (poorly) tsugaru style I have one marked position at the octave position. I made a little position marker using the sticky portion of a sticky note. I would recommend only marking a few key positions.
Touche, Michael. The best things in life do not come easy. Perhaps then it could be best that I not use markers.
Electrical tape. I have put it on and removed it a few times now. And it sticks well when you need it to. (My teacher puts nail polish at the 4 and 6 positions, but no way am I putting nail polish on my beautiful shamisens. ) Electrical tape residue comes off nice and cleanly, and the tape comes in lots of colors. Just pull it off carefully, and wipe with a small amount of food safe mineral oil.
I wouldn’t use White Out - its alcohol based and might dull the finish.