Striking the Strings

General
#1

I watched a lot of videos of Shamisen Players. (not professional) - they played for many years!

But - when I watch video like Kevin K. and Kyle (when they play the Shamisen) The way they strike with the bachi. It seems smoother. When I strike with the bachi it doesn’t look correctly. Some times I hit a certain string I tend on not hitting. Or when I do the tuning style I seem to some time miss the strings.

Also when I try to strike the strings from down - to upwards the strings it doesn’t always work on certain songs.

I’m not sure if its (that)

  • I don’t have enough experience.
  • It some technique (that they learned)
  • The bachi
#2

I want to eventually play faster song. But the way I strike the string seem (sometimes off - or when I pull a “Nuki” it doesn’t sound correctly - Like not fast enough like in Kyle’s video)

#3

Wish I had a teacher (So I can get lesson - instead of self-teaching) LOL

#4

I’m also in the progress of dealing with the good striking. To me it feels like it’s just a matter of practice that will have to be done, so hang in there. I have the 300$ bachi and it’s not magically turning my striking into perfection. However I’m currently learning about getting the snaps on the thick string, and I feel I get the best sound when I can feel the bachi bending due to its flexibility.

I think you can probably improve a lot with the bachi you have currently, before investing in the 300$ one.

#5

a few pages back (sometime around Jan.20-21) Karl Hedlund and a few others (myself and Kyle Abbott included) had a big discussion on the subject of snapping on the Ichi no ito. You might want to scroll back to that post and read through some of it. I think you might get some ideas.

#6

That’s right Kevin(s), here is the link to the topic: http://bachido.com/community/forum/topics/110

#7

I read it. Its a bit hard to follow - something with the Thumbs and etc. Maybe you should see how I hold and strike with the bachi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHQBLeQi-X4

#8

Kevin I’m going to record some shamisen videos. I’ll try to illustrate the stuff me and Kevin talked about. Of course there are far more appropriate people than me to create such a video and show the difference, but I’ll try.

#9

that fine. Anything helps especially my level is not so good

#10

Kevin,
Sounds fine for a week or two or playing.
(you got that thing quite recently right?)

The Bachi is definatley hard to get at first.
My advice is kind of along the lines of what Kyle Abbott says…

Watch other players. Observe and copy! You may want to try to pay particular attention to how to anchor the instrument against your body. That will help
your bachi (hand and arm) feel more natural when you play.

#11

Yes, Kevin I had the Shamisen about a week now.

the next thing I want to do is upgrade the bachi, koma, and maybe some new strings.

© 2020 Kyle Abbott