Hi all, I had an unfortunate shamisen explosion, and my instrument is at a luthier now getting squared away. I’m trying to get my ducks in a row so that when it returns to me I will be ready to go with it, specifically:
I am looking into having a bachi 3d printed for me. I’ve gone back and forth about this but am wanting to get one printed to the thickness of a mandolin pick. I have a wooden bachi now but I feel I am missing quite a bit with it.
I am trying to identify a teacher for skype lessons.
I am trying to figure out how to make the instrument “mine”. The problem is that although I love the sound of the instrument I haven’t found a lot of “shamisen music” that sounds like what I am after. Also I am trying to figure out how to make a full performance sound out of it for an upcoming show I have (in like September). I can always play a banjo or a ukulele for it but I would like to play shamisen. I have thought that a shruti box could go well with it sound wise to fill things out. Part of the issue is that though I love the sound of the shamisen I do not intend to use it to play traditional music. most likely will be playing modal/minor appalachian style music. like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxKlpK2_vlY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxKlpK2_vlY
Any thoughts on any of this? I know these are broad issues but I appreciate anyone’s thoughts/teacher recommendations et al.
thanks!
-Ben