I watched foam ramen shop video and shamisen playing at background. Remembered Yukari san playing. Glad this video still here. I wonder how she doing now
u can import them and they start at 400 dollars for an okay one i remember looking on a site that had them when i first discovered this instrument, i still think its an amazing intrument
Well, I can't deny that I have to help myself to cheap crappy shamisen stuff most of the time, I simply don't have the money nor the resources. I'll be in Tokyo next month, and I've been saving up. So I'm going to get a lot of the good stuff!
Technically speaking, in terms of humidity. Of course, the temperatures on Hokkaido are way below those of Holland. But if you skin your shamisen in, for instance, Tokyo or Osaka, and play it in Holland, it will rip in no time.
@SaraiS23 Yeah, I guess like any instrument they are breakable. The "drum" is the probably the most fragile part. It's sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature. I had one tear over summer. Nearly $400 (40,000 yen) to get repaired. The pegs that adjust the strings can also crack or break if you drop it. The wood is pretty solid, though. I have a tsugaru and yes, they are expensive. You can get a practice one made from lighter karin (quince) wood for $500 - $900.
A bachi I would never buy second hand. I usually get my strings from Chords Canada. My teacher has a sweet spot on Hokkaido for skinning the shamisen, $300 and it's almost the same climate as Holland, so it's not too tight or too loose.
People are always surprised when I tell them about the price range of shamisen. Apparently, they think it's about the same as some $30 spanish guitar you can pick up at a depato. ;-)
I think I've seen her at the Shamisen tournaments some years ago. I'm not sure though .her name is Yukari? I wonder if she will be attending the Tsugaru Shamisen Hirosaki tournament this year? If so I will look for her! I'm playing with the first international Shamisen group formed through the bachido website! It's going to be very exciting! Can't wait!! Well...hope Yukari is there! I'll say "Hi!" if I see her!
they're expensive. I've got a "beginners" one made from Karin (quince) wood which cost about $800. My teacher is onto me to get something in the $3000 - $5000 range. A harder darker wood called Koki. (not sure what that is in English - Some kind of rain forest hardwood I guess. I'm in no hurry. I keep telling him: "Ishi no ue ni mo san nen."
