"really easy to start with"-tabs?

Notation
#1

being still an absolute beginner in playing a shamisen (nagauta style) i do really struggle with the bachido crash- and sakura-courses. are there probably any really simple songs (with tabs available), maybe children usually start with, you can kindly recommend to the left-handed shamisen player i am? thanks in advance.

#2

I’m not too sure about finding nagauta tabs (I’m a Tsugaru guy myself) but the tab page on shamimaster.com has a fairly good sized beginner section.
Some relatively simpler minyo pieces that you might have a good time with include Soran Bushi, Tsugaru Jinku, or perhaps Hanagasa Ondo, to start with. Though of those three I’d say Hanagasa Ondo is the trickiest.

Best of luck! :slight_smile:

#3

sakura on the lessons page is a good one to start with

#4

So i have this app that Lets you play along and you can also change the speed of the song. They have Sakura and a really Nice that you could use to practice accuracy (Tenarai). It’s could Aibiki

#5

Hi Kay.

I have actually used the App Mark is talking about! Aibiki is a lot of fun to work with and has a reasonably large selection of both traditional Japanese (some nagauta, some children’s songs) and more western offerings.

Aside from that, I have some hauta pieces lying around that might be quite similar to what you’re used to for nagauta. Message me if you’re interested!

#6

Though i would have loved to see more tsugaru pieces.

#7

thanks for your kind replies! with taking a closer look to the neck of my shamisen it turned out to be a jiuta, not a nagauta … i found quite a simple version of sakura right here: https://s14-eu5.ixquick.com/cgi-bin/serveimage?url=http:%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3030%2F3063794623_6d8ff28aff_b.jpg&sp=6d38dd4fbe85c425392b3972737fc8d8.
does anybody know this chord-book? are there probably some more simple tabs in there and where could i get a copy?

#8

I believe that’s the book “Shamisen o hajimeyō!”. I borrowed it from the local library here and it is indeed full of simple melodies…

#9

The Japanese title is 三味線をはじめよう

#10

Hey Kay,

I’ll be home shortly so I’ll give you a better reply to the message you sent me soon.

Presently though, I’m a little curious!

I’m always interested in learning more about people’s gear. Can you take some pictures of your shamisen?

#11

thanks for your replies. yes, chris, i can take some pictures of my 3-string-friend.

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