Recently purchased a shamisen. The plastic koma broke. Which is a better choice then plastic?
Well koma types are pretty dependent on what style youâd like to play, in the long run. Other users are much more versed than I in terms of jiuta, nagauta, etc. which often favor different materials, but as a Tsugaru-shamisen player myself Iâm a big fan of the solid bamboo koma from the shop here. Itâs very sturdy, and has a really great warm tone. I can also recommend the bone-tipped bamboo koma, as it sharpens the sound a bit. Iâm a fan of the warmer sound though so I donât use that.
Other materials include ivory (zouge), tortoise shell (bekkou), or their synthetic counterparts, though I havenât played with those before.
If youâd like to devote to learning a particular style (which Iâm assuming you would) make sure the koma you get is suited for it - different heights and materials have a big impact on your sound and playing, which should be suited to your chosen style.
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Thanks for the reply! Bamboo sounds good!
Any time, awesome! 
Welcome aboard!
Hi Charlie,
A quick note on heights:
Heights are often rendered in either this fashion 2ć4ć, or more simply as just 2.4. Lower numbers means lower action - and usually less difficult to play.
As Ian said, thereâs a tendency within genre (and more specifically, within style or æ”) to favor specific heights and materials.
Typical heights and materials for a few genre are as follows:
Tsugaru: 2.4 - 2.8.
Often made with bamboo, and tipped with shari (ox bone). Occasionally tipped with ivory or (very, very rarely) tortoise shell. The tips may be thin slivers seated on wood or thicker bars.
I have also seen examples with metal fittings on the top, or coated in a smooth laquer.
Minâyo: 2.8 - 3.3.
Often made from shari, plastic, ivory, or bamboo topped with another material. Other woods are occasionally utilized. I personally have a minâyo koma made from snake wood and tipped with shari.
Jiuta: 2.8 - 3.3
Often made from shari or water buffalo horn and weighted with small disks of lead, tin, silver, or gold. Different metals affect the tone, or so they say. Jiuta koma are particularly wide at the base.
Nagauta: 3.3 - 3.6
Often made from shari, plastic, or ivory. Wood and wood topped with another material are also extant.
Kouta : 3.3 - 4.0
Often made from wood, commonly bamboo; but examples of Kouki and others exist. Tipped with shari or ivory. Like Jiuta, the koma are quite broad. My research suggests ivory examples exist, but I havenât personally seen any.
Personal Preference
Is a big thing here. You shouldnât be too worried about falling specifically within the genre ranges - these are only typical ranges and actual vary a little depending on who you talk to.
Examples
My minâyo teacher uses a 3.0 ivory koma set about two finger widths from the bottom of the dou.
My tsugaru teacher uses a 2.6 (or so) smoked bamboo koma topped with a thin sliver of bekkou. Itâs placed about three finger widths from the bottom.
I usually use a plastic 3.0 koma when playing minâyo and a 2.5 smoked bamboo koma topped with a thicker piece of bekkou. I actually greatly prefer playing on the latter, but I get a great, resonant sound out of the higher koma on my minâyo shamisen.
Bachidoâs own Mr. Kyle Abbott uses a 3.0 height for his Tsugaru shamisen, if memory serves.
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A lot of information! Iâm so used too bridges on my basses , this is definitely challenging. I have a naguata shamisen if that helps.
The bridge is more about your preference and genre of music than type of shamisen, to be honest.
If youâre using a nagauta shamisen, that just means youâve got a hosozao (2.3 - 2.5 cm wide neck) and the smallest body type. If youâre playing nagauta music and looking for an accurate representation then you should look into a bone, plastic, or ivory at 3.3 to 3.6.
If youâre just noodling around or playing pieces you like, Iâd just edge towards personal preference.
Hereâs a website comparing a large number of koma types.
http://www.shamisen.ne.jp/shamisen_life/shop/koma_movie.html
Thanks you guys for the help and advice!
My favorite is plastic.
Mine came with a plastic one. But it has gone to the koma graveyard in the sky.
I bought 10 last time I was in Japan. Plastic koma are super cheap.
Do they tend too break fairly easily?
Do they tend too break fairly easily?
Iâve only ever broken a shinobi koma - and that was by dropping a bag carrying it. Theyâre durable for what they are.
But having back-ups isnât a bad idea.
Cool, thanks!
If you step on them, they will break pretty easily.
From my experience, Iâd say the bamboo koma with the bone saddle is very efficient. it has a very clear and sharp tone which sounds very nice.