Music talent and learning Shamisen

General
#1

Hello,

I’ve thought of learning shamisen a couple of times but never followed through because I don’t really have any musical talent. I apologize if these questions have already been asked in another thread.

Is it difficult to learn the shamisen with no musical knowledge?

Does one (eventually) need to know how to read music notes in order to play new songs? (From what I gathered from the free lessons is that one begins by immitating Kyle or read the notations.)

Does one need to learn music theory?

Lastly, is it easy to maintain the shamisen in the dry North American climate (cracking, etc.)?

Thanks a lot for your time.

#2

Theory? Definitely not required and really up to you whether you feel like getting into that or not sometime also … as for notation there is more than enough available in easy to read tabulature format where you just see a 3 on a string when you need to press at the 3 position so again learning classic musical notation cool but not required I would say the free video crash course available on here under lessons gives a good idea about what it would be like to get into playing if you feel like getting into what is shown there then go for it :slight_smile:

#3

Welcome to Bachido, T!! :slight_smile:

Long story short, it’s very easy to play a shamisen with no musical knowledge. Recently, I’ve been leading in-person workshops in California and many people have come who’ve never picked up a shamisen before. After an hour, everyone is playing together as a group and really enjoying it. It’s hard to go wrong with three strings!

With that, I can almost guarantee that you’d be able to learn and enjoy shamisen (assuming your personal expectations aren’t too high)

And no theory is needed. The tsugaru style was originally developed by blind musicians on the street, not formally taught or explained. Personally, I still can’t even read western notation.

As for dry climates, that’s a good question. Cracking does happen but that can be repaired. Also, it would definitely be safe to invest in synthetic Fibersen.
Does anyone here have experience with shamisen and dry climates?

#4

I asked similar questions when I first started. The Shamisen seems very daunting but, having no real musical training myself, I’ve been doing it for a year and haven’t looked back yet. All you really need are fingers and the will to learn. There are some techniques that are hard to get down at first (Kamashi, how to hold the bachi, etc…), but they have nothing to do with music skill/talent/knowledge. You just pick it up and make noise and it’s awesome, even if it’s just noise!

I live in Los Angeles and the skin on my shamisen (under the care of its previous owner) have lasted almost 5-6 years! Which is crazy old for skin, I guess. And the wood has no signs of cracks or wear from the weather. I wouldn’t expect you to have too many problems.

#5

The shamisen is an instrument with song that are usually played using the same tone as a base tone. I don’t think you will need any music theory to start playing the traditional songs.

Don’t be afraid of music theory though! Somewhere along the road you might feel that you want to compose epic pieces and then you can take a look at it then!

Since shamisen uses music tabs it is quite easy to learn to read them. Have you checked out the free crash course?

#6

Hello and welcome, Huynh!! All mentioned above by Bachido members is true and I guarantee.
I myself is a Japanese and began the instrument so late in my life. That’s why I urge you to start it right now(^O^)／

#7

I have never picked up or played a stringed instrument before and within an hour or so of setting up my shamisen and reviewing the tabs I am already tackling the first few lines of ringo bushi. The finger positions can seem scary at first but like anything else they get better with practice.

As for the climate, I have noticed subtle changes in the sao of both of my (very old) kouki futozao and hosozao shamisen as the wood appears to have settled over time. The area I live in can have drastic changes in climate from one day to the next so my experience is probably pretty exaggerated.

I dont think anything should hold you back from playing shamisen. Just go for it — its really fun! You won’t start out as a master musician, but then again noone else does either.

#8

Thanks so much everyone for your advice!
I will definitely consider taking up Shamisen now.

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