The Beginner's Shamisen (Bachido Store)
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- Опубликовано: 19 окт 2024
- Check it out! - (bachido.com/products/beginner-shamisen)
At Bachido, we know that shamisen are very expensive instruments to learn. Though some people know shamisen is for them upon hearing the first snap of the string, it's difficult for most of us to spend $1000 on an instrument without trying it first. It's been my dream for years to find a source for affordable shamisen so people can start their three-stringed journey with greater ease. And at last, we've done it! I present to you, the Beginner's Shamisen.
Finally! A cheap Shamisen for beginners that is not made by Suzuki. This particular Shamisen has a unique tone. Even though I'm no longer a beginner, I may still get one of these~
Katsumi Aimi | Suzuki makes shamisens??
Im from malaysia...how can i buy this shamisen
I'm so tempted. I love the sound of shamisen. I am really thinking about getting one of those beauties!
+volvful Excellent! It would make for a great post-New Year's present! :) Of all shamisen to start with, I would definitely recommend the Beginner's Shamisen! Feel free to write me directly if you have questions! :)
And only $300 US plus shipping. A great deal.
At the time of releasing the Beginner's Shamisen, the yen/USD exchange rate was incredibly favorable which meant we were able to provide these shamisen at $300 (plus shipping). After a year, the exchange rate significantly changed which forced us to raise the price. It's a shame, because the goal is to provide an affordable path to starting shamisen. In any case, when the exchange rate returns to a favorable direction, we'll definitely lower the price again! :-)
Out Of Place Ninja That looks pretty affordable to me. I decided to start Otsuzumi(a type of Japanese hand drum), and the cheapest Otsuzumi costs $2000+. And that does not even include the cost to replace the drum heads(the drum heads get worn over time and should be replaced). The cost? $1500+. Nearly as much as a whole new drum.
Im happy for the people in the US to get these for such a good price.
Sadly, there are no retailers in germany for Shamisen.
Would really love to get one, but with all accessories needed, import and taxes it estimates ~800 Euro...
Haste irgendeine alternative gefunden?
@@Necrosarioo Nope..
Leider nicht. Du kannst dir höchstens sein Buch kaufen und dir selber eine bauen, oder einen Instrumentenbauer damit beauftragen. Kostet dann aber sicherlich genauso viel wie ein Import..
kubo brought me here.
Same...same.
Yay for Kubo! :-D
Bro same
Best movie ever
Me too
Dude you’re lucky to have that sound mine sounds like a guitar but it’s in the shape of a shamisen
DUDE
Never change, we love you
I just checked. $410.00 which seems very reasonable. Thank you for helping me spend money on something that isn't a mandolin.
im thinking in asking this as a graduation present, beautiful shamisen and afordable
Getting this plus the Beginner's Accessory Set will cost me about 750-900 SGD, will most likely be getting this by the end of the year, thanks for being so informative in all of your videos :)
Lovely!
Does this come with azuma sawari, or just yama sawari?
I am interested in learning how to play the shamisen. I have to get saving up to buy one. I need some information on buying one as a beginner.
Definitely wanna get one of these.
Hi there i love your videos for so long and now I'm so sure i need to get a shamisen for beginners . just would like to know with this one what more i need to get as a beginner : Beginner Shamisen Accessory Set, Wooden Bachi or plastick, with Koma - Bamboo Koma i should get ,. If you could help me ? Thank you so much mate and keep going with your cook videos love it
Hi Anna! Thank you so much for your message! I'm glad you've enjoyed my videos and are ready to learn! :) The Accessory Set, Wooden Bachi (I would recommend that over the plastic, as it is more flexible), and I personally prefer the Bamboo Koma with bone because of it's crisper tone, but the choice is yours. :) Cheers!
Kyle Abbott thank you so mu h for help. please do more videos. I have change a lot . hope to get the basic one and start asap.
Thanks Anna! I'll get back into making more soon. :)
Oh my gosh I can finally afford one. I just have to wait til after that holidays. YAY!
Your comment right there made my day. It's just the reason I've been wanting to have these shamisen available, so everyone can get started! :)
Do you mind if I put your comment on the Beginner's Shamisen page?
Kyle Abbott No go right ahead.
Gizmondo23 Thank you! :)
is the sawari or gold buzzing thing adjustable? thanks looks great 👍
Excellent question! This type of shamisen typically doesn't have the adjustable sawari device (called Azuma Sawari, or En Sawari), but like all shamisen, it does have the buzzing effect (just without the adjustability of the device). 🙂
Is that a specific tsugaru piece at time 2:06? Or just improv? I'm curious, because I have it stuck in my head now. :P
I believe it's a rendition of Yosare Bushi. Inspired by Pierre Ono here - ruclips.net/video/RHj-WZnOyOM/видео.html. Unfortunately, I've yet to learn the official version.
I've wanted to play shamisen for many years but was skeptical as the price was high and I wasn't sure if I could learn to play as well as I've heard in many concerts. Since I don't live in Japan and there are no teachers I can find here. And I'm not sure if I can learn well if I attend online classes or watch RUclips videos
Hi! Yeah, that's a sad thing about the shamisen world, it does tend to be high priced. :-S However, it is very easy to start playing, especially if you keep your expectations low. There are only three strings and being a melody-based instrument, it doesn't take long to learn simple folk melodies and enjoy the sound of shamisen. On the other hand, to play as well as you've heard in concerts, that can take years (because like any art, skill is something that grows over time). Truly, the way to enjoy shamisen (or any instrument) is not compare yourself to players at concerts, but to just enjoy the sound as you learn. :) After all, *everyone*, including the professionals in concert, started from the beginning.
Yup, one of my priorities in the futher months 😂
Thanks for everything
Is it worth getting kikuza instead of regular? And what's the difference?
The Kikuza are only for visual aesthetics. From a practical/strength perspective, they are the same. Whichever you think looks cooler is the one to go with. :-)
Kyle Abbott thanks you for replying! I might get the regular then. You earned yourself another subscriber!
BroMotion Thank you!!
Where can I get a shamisen it such a beautiful instrument
This thing sounds amazing, at least for me, who hasn't got the faintest idea of the traditional Japanese shamisen sound. But I've heard $20,000 shamisens that seem to sound almost dead and hardly resonate at all and the masters were going gaga over it. I don't know where I'm missing something, I guess I'm not a master...
Thanks Norm! Well, it doesn't take a master to recognize good tone. :-) May I ask, did you hear the $20,000 in person or online/youtube? A big factor in sound quality can be the mic it was recorded on, so that might be why it sounded extra-dead. That being said, the sound quality really depends a lot on the skin. 80% of the shamisen's sound quality is determined by the skin, so if it's a poor quality skin poorly stretched, it can make a well made shamisen sound dead. A few years ago, I was in a group with a fellow who had an amaaazing *looking* shamisen at a similar price range, but it was one of the worst shamisen I ever heard. The skin itself appeared to be overly bleached (which makes the skin look pure white, but degrades the quality) and poorly stretched.
One important thing to know is that for shamisen with super high prices, most of the cost goes towards "beauty points". I.e, paying for the wood's swirly grain/figure, not the acoustic quality. A few years ago, Isono-san (the maker who builds $20,000 shamisen for Kiki, Asano Sho, and other top players) showed me a shamisen which he was selling for $8,000. The wood was stunning and had amazing figure, but he pointed out a small natural blemish in one small area (a natural spot of sapwood, which is lighter in color than the rest), and he said if that small area of sapwood wasn't there, he could sell it for over $22,000.
Even at $8,000, that particular shamisen had very rare wood, which is a factor that greatly raises the price. Not only that, retailers also usually add 200% to 300% (or more) profit margin when they sell shamisen. When it comes to paying for the highest acoustic quality, the "price ceiling" is about $3000. Above that, you're only paying for how swirly the wood's grain is, which is a rather limitless strata. :-P
@@TsugaruShamisen .... Hi Kyle, you're right, I heard it on youtube, by a guy called Norm who is a passionate shamisen player, I forgot what his channel is called but he took the viewers into a shamisen shop in Kyoto and had two of the world's top shamisen players play some samples for us. I totally get that thing with the wood swirls and craftsmanship and everything. Actually that $20,000 shamisen was SO well built, that I, without any shamisen knowledge, could sense even through youtube how beautiful it feels as you play it and how well it is balanced! But it sounded like it was made of stone. Then they showed one for $300 and that seemed to be much more resonant. It was almost like the masters don't really want their shamisen too loud...
One more question, Kyle, if I may. When I hear people talk about the shamisen - it almost sounds to me like they pronounce it "shamiseng", is that correct or is that just me?
@@normg2242 Aaah yes, I know that Norm and that video. ;-) (I actually stayed at his house many years before he became a youtuber) I admit, I have something of a mission to counter the "information" he puts online. I think his videos are incredibly beautiful, and while I'm not sure if he misunderstands the makers he met or his teachers, but the shamisen-related statements he makes are so wildly incorrect, both about shamisen playing and it's construction. I had to stop following because I got so frustrated to hear misinformation on shamisen being offered as fact in 4K.
I think it's such a wonderful opportunity he has such a huge following to spread shamisen to, but having spent over half of my life playing/building shamisen and being personally connected with the most reputable shamisen makers/players in Japan, I feel so sad that he doesn't even research/verify what he says before filming. I corrected him once but he deleted my comment. :-P From experience I've found he can be pretty vindictive, so instead I keep my distance from him and plan to make more informational videos so at least there is a reliable resource.
Sorry for that unsolicited rant. :-P In any case, that's true, shamisen set up for tsugaru style tends to be sharp and have a cold, almost-electric sound. That's mostly due to the skin being stretched tightly. Other styles of shamisen (or the entry-level shamisen) often have a looser skin, which has a much warmer tone. One not being better than the other, just paradigms of the style. :-)
Oh yes, shamiseng! :-) I hear that too, it's just a part of Japanese pronunciation.
@@normg2242 Hi Norm, I should apologize for venting. I realize you weren't asking for my opinion on the other Norm. I usually withhold my opinions about him out of respect for his own endeavors (after all, who likes to be criticized?). It just kinda wears on me, especially as my life's dedication has been to make everything about shamisen as accessible, accurate and honest as possible (both instruments and experienced information). Being human, sometimes I can't help but let my personal opinion leak out. :-P
@@TsugaruShamisen.... hi Kyle, no worries, I understand. And I do appreciate your unsolicited information because it helps me to filter out fact and fiction, because at my early stage in shamisen interest, I would swallow everything...lol
Take care my friend, it's all good ☺
The neck (sao) locks in the video much thicker than the neck of my Beginner Shamisen I got.
On my Shamisen it is about 2,5 cm - 1 inch???
Is this the normal size?
Hey✌
I was wondering if you sell shamisen to the UK because the prices are in dollars and yen on the website and I'm British and fell in love with shamisen recently. Do you sell to UK??
Hi Maximilian! Indeed, the Beginner's Shamisen can be shipped to the UK (as well as any shamisen on Bachido.com). What a perfect time to start your journey with the shamisen! :)
Kyle Abbott thanks ur awesome arigatou ✌
Hey, what was the background music that was playing for the first minute of the video? It was kinda groovy.
It's Eden no Kanata from our album 'Stellar' :) - ruclips.net/video/0h8k2iSDJqQ/видео.html
Hi. Im 15 and im going to try and save up for this instrument. If you are still responding to comments do you mind telling me what comes with the shamisen and where I can buy decent strings cuz I heard strings on shamisen break quickly. Thanks
Hi Josh! I'm glad to hear you are planning to start learning shamisen! (I started learning around your age) Unfortunately the shamisen is just the instrument alone, without accessories. However, there is an optional accessory set for it! :-) Please check out this page and the items below the paypal buttons. I've listed all the applicable accessories there. - bachido.com/products/beginner-shamisen Cheers! - Kyle
At 2:37, I'm still looking for a tutorial on how to do that Swaying finger thingy, I can't do it, it's so hard. Do you have an tutorial of it?
Oh yes, that is called Kamashi. Actually, Kevin Kmetz and I made an instructional course on Kamashi and it's many types. :-) Feel free to check it out and/or the preview! - bachido.com/school/kamashi
@@TsugaruShamisen OMGGG!! thank you so much!!! 🙏🙏
Can you recommend where to get the Bachi affordably?
Outside of Bachido, you could check out shami-shop.com, or ebay. :)
I cannot afford one like this, but i really wanna learn shamisen. There's basically no explanation on the different variations of shamisen. Like, why.
Nice video. What’s the first minyo piece you played?
Sound like 木曽節 to me.
I have a question does the bachi come with it? And what bachi did you use or does it not matter and the strings I'm sorry I'm the noob here.
Please i need answers it would help a lot as I can't afford it now but later I will just wondering
Good question! It doesn't include a bachi, but you could use any bachi. :-) On the sales page, there is a Beginner's Shamisen Accessory Set below the paypal buttons which has the recommended strings (you could also use nylon guitar strings to save some money, if need be).
Cheers! :-)
@@TsugaruShamisen Thank you I have one more question about the bridge is it the same as the bachi?
@@soulbeast1892 Yes, it is the same thing. :) A pencil can work as a substitute in a pinch. (I do that sometimes when I'm too lazy to get a koma from my box)
@@TsugaruShamisen Thank you again sorry if I'm bothering you too much
Edit: also it's time for me to save up 623 dollars for the whole thing
@@soulbeast1892 No bother at all! I'm glad I can help! :-)
Hey Kyle, I'm really considering buying one of these along with all the accessories from your site, but I'm worried if I order it, it may get damaged in shipping and I've had bad luck with shipping from Japan.
Hi Mr. Slinger! Good concern! My partner is very careful when packaging the shamisen, and we've never had any incidents of damaged shamisen. Fear not! :-)
@@TsugaruShamisen alrighty thank you so very much Mr Abbott. I am set on ordering one, I'm looking very forward to purchasing, receiving, and playing this amazing instrument.
@@bladeslinger1786 Yay! I too am excited that you will start learning shamisen! :-D Feel free to write me with any questions, and join the Bachido community to share questions with the supportive members. :-)
@@TsugaruShamisen will do thank you so much for your time and info. I Will probably be asking LOTS of questions. Lol
@@bladeslinger1786 You're very welcome! :-)
Is this Shamisen in the video the one with the natural or the one with the synthetic skin?
That shamisen has natural skin on it. :)
The Beginner Shamisen seems to sound off compared to most Shamisen I hear you play. Am I wrong about this, or is it just the video?
Curious, I think it's possibly the audio quality of the video? In person, it sounds like a normal resonant shamisen. :) Because the size and skin tension is different from my tsugaru shamisen, the tone will naturally sound different. :-)
Is it possible to get this shamisen with FiberSen skin instead of natural skin ? And how much more would it cost ?
Ah.. it used to be. Unfortunately, the makers of Fibersen have almost run out of stock and don't have plans to make more, and thus, we ran out of Beginner's Shamisen skinned with Fibersen. :(
What's the difference between a Shamisen and an Okinawan Sanshin?
the material and the way you play it :) oh and Sanshin is smaller than shamisen!
Which song is playing in the background?
Eden no Aikata, from the album Stellar (Monsters of Shamisen)
2:08 Which piece is that one? Is it available to learn in the school?
Oh, that's the opening to Tsugaru Yosare Bushi. Unfortunately not in the Schoolhouse (yet!). Admittedly I've never learned the full song. :-P
Do the strings and hand piece come with the shamisen?
Unfortunately not. To keep the price low, the instrument comes direct from the maker (who doesn't attach strings). But strings are available on the same site. :-)
Does it come with a bachi and koma? Or do we have to purchase those separately?
Hi Christopher! Koma and Bachi are sold separately. (In order to keep the cost as low as possible)
Right. But how about the strings?
+Christopher Ahn same for the strings, for the same reason. The shamisen comes direct from the maker, who only make the instrument.
+Kyle Abbott, thanks. This was very helpful.
+Kyle Abbott, thanks. This was very helpful.
Does this model come with the bridge and rope loops for the strings?
Good question! The Beginner's Shamisen is sold as the instrument only, without bridge, rope loops (neo) nor other accessories. This is because we receive the shamisen direct from the builders who only make the instrument, but don't keep accessories on supply.
@@TsugaruShamisen What are the rope loops called and are they available on your website?
@@user-fx7ud7so1w It's called a Neo and available here - bachido.com/store/misc
Excuse me，What is the name of Minyo folk song on 1'32"？
Thanks！
That is Shin Soma Bon Uta. :-)
Thank you very much! Kyle Abbott!
Sounds like it buzzes oddly.
do you ship to Israel?
What if you're left handed ?
In that case, the first and third string is simply switched. :) I wrote an article about it here - community.bachido.com/t/can-left-handers-play-shamisen/2546/10
What tunings are you using in this vid?
I'm using Niagari, I believe in C-G-C. :)
@@TsugaruShamisen Can the material or quality of the strings affect the sound of the shamisen?
@@DefinitelyNotSquidSenpai It can affect the sound, but the skin has the most influence.
can I still get one?
Yep! It's still here. :-) - bachido.com/store/beginner-shamisen
hi , i live in algeria , i wonder if they sell it here :'(
Sure! They ship from Japan, but I don't think it would be any problem to ship to Algeria! :)
hope so ill keep looking for it :'(
Zatoichi issho It is right here -bachido.com/products/beginner-shamisen
If you're able to use paypal or a credit card, you can order it there and it will be shipped to you. :)
these still available?
Yes indeed! :-) - bachido.com/store/beginner-shamisen
@@TsugaruShamisen cool i know what im speeding my nxt 2 checks on lol
@@PillowheadCreations Haha, awesome! :-D Keep in mind that accessories aren't included though. :-) (Those are available separately at the bottom of the page)
It doesn't sound good.