I am completely new to learning this instrument
I really want to play sanshin, but i live over in Atlanta 
any recommendations?
could i use some of the crash course lessons?
Hi TJ!
Welcome to Bachido! 
That’s great! You can still learn sanshin, even in Atlanta! 
I’m a huge advocate of learning from just doing. I.e, start by getting a sanshin and play around with it. Get a feeling for how it feels and sounds. Start to build a relationship with the instrument.
The crash course can definitely help!
In summary, I recommend that the first step would be to get a sanshin and start playing around, not worrying about technique in the very beginning. That can come later.
Good luck!
Thank you very much,
My mother is from Okinawa, so I want to play something she’s more accustomed to
I started out playing sanshin it is a very relaxed and easy to learn instrument.
I suggest buying from asoviva they are affordable and you can get an entire learners kit for about $300.
thank you, ill look it up
Is there any differentiation between what the skin on the body makes the instrument sound like? I see there is wood, artificial skin, and authentic skin 
The python skin is going to have a sharper more resonate sound.
The synthetics usually give a thunky kinda sound.
Surprisingly the wood covered in fabric has a nice sound to it, more mellow. This is the type I had, and I rather liked the sound.