Would it be possible? What sound would it make? Is it a big difference? I am i still awake at 00:21? So many questions!
Mark,
Short answer: Yes it is possible. Yes it could make a difference, depending on the previous skinning.
Long (slightly pedant) answer:
Hosozao, Chuuzao, and Futozao all describe the width of the shamisen’s neck. A chuuzao skinning vs. a futozao skinning doesn’t really mean anything.
However, these words are generally associated with specific genres that tell more about the typical body dimensions and skinning details. That said, chuuzao tsugaru are definitely a thing. The Sakura Shamisen here on Bachido is an example thereof (if memory serves).
Shamisen shops usually use the genre as an indicator for the type of skinning to be applied - unless the customer requests something special.
If you were to swap from a cat skinning to the heavier tsugaru dog skinning, the change would be rather tremendous.
Changing from minyo/jiuta dog to tsugaru dog would be less-so, but I would anticipate a reduction of warmth, likely balanced by more percussive playing being available.
Hi Mark and Chris. Mark, did you mean the length of skin stuck to the sides of the dou, as 2.5/3cm like in a tsugaru shamisen ? I think it’s possible, but I don’t know the effects on the sound. But everything is possible, even only for the “look”…
The only traditional difference in skinning that I read about is that nagauta shamisens usually have cat skin while tsugaru shamisens use dog skin. With synthetic skin coming out I don’t know how relevant this is still. As mentioned the tsugaru skin wraps around further onto the dou.
Rob, Patrick
Nagauta are usually hosozao shamisens rather than chuuzao. This means the neck width is generally 2.3-2.6 cm.
You’re correct that nicer nagauta are often traditionally skinned using cat (specifically from the belly), but thinner dog skin may also be used. It is the same with min’yo and jiuta shamisen (as well as an instrument called a kokyuu).
My min’yo teacher uses a cat skinned instrument for performances, but regularly teaches me using a dog skinned one.
You and Patrick are also correct that a tsugaru skinning usually extends further down the dou - and there’s a reason for that. A tsugaru skinning is always dog, but uses a thicker part of the skin for higher durability and a less gentle sound.
Even with the rise of artificial skinnings, some makers produce a different product to better match each genre. For example, Ripple produces both a Tsugaru version and a Nagauta version.