Playing contemporary Satsuma biwa 薩摩琵琶

[masamune200]

So... is it possible to teach oneself how to play? I've been toying with the idea for a while but I can't seem to find any resources (my google-fu is weak) and there isn't really a large enough of a Japanese population where I live to support any teachers (less than 2k people).

[Hikikomori013]

This is great. Whenever I want to hear some biwa music I know who to turn to.

Ooh, just had an evil thought. Obakedake's Folia De Biwa. That would be something to hear.

[Obakedake]

@Hikikomori013

Thanks for the comment! Means a lot coming from you!

Uploading a couple new videos now so please check them out if you have the time.

[Sammirkov93]

wow that's some hardcore stuff..i would like to play a biwa one day since i'm involved with music already

[faronthefiddler]

Mighty fine.

[0SweetRevenge0]

No wonder it's a narrative accompaniment- it's an instrument that exudes authority and demands you listen to the player like he/she is some sort of omnipotent deity 0.o;; I just get a feeling from it.

[MikeMMasuda]

I just bought a Satsuma biwa used for $149. It is not in the best of shape--the nut needs to be reshaped and the top has a crack in the middle. It is still playable, but it is a relic. I polished it up and it looks nice, and it can be played, but the sitar-like twang is only present on two of the 4 strings. I'm just happy to have come across a biwa in the US--they are such rare instruments. I wish I knew the maker and the year it was made--I wouldn't know how to sleuth it out.

[Obakedake]

@MikeMMasuda Wow, that's quite a deal!! If you have any questions about repairs send me a message and I might be able to help you.

[RealEros1]

I have a classical guitar yet I don't feel like I belong to a school

I just play it for my fun and relaxtion or when I feel like making a cool sound.

It's also my second week only and I sadly only know two songs so I need to learn more quickly lol

[Obakedake]

@RealEros1 I'd say two songs in two weeks is pretty impressive! keep at it!

[RealEros1]

@Obakedake Thanks :D

[neillennox]

いいねぇ、いいっ！！

西洋音楽に毒されている僕ら日本人でもこんな荒ぶる曲を聴くと本­当の日本人に戻れた気になっちゃうよ。

ありがとう！！

[newbrazenasianpride]

the biwa is meant to accompany the narrative of the story or tale being sung...you haven't learned the narrative/tales/ lyrics of the music that you play? your training is only half complete.

[Obakedake]

@newbrazenasianpride

Actually I think my training is only 1/5th complete, if that. But I can sing narrative tales on the biwa. Kawanakajima, for instance. But I've yet to post a video of me singing katari, because I don't want to misrepresent my school by a poor video. Hence I only post original songs here. But I might post a narrative here soon.

[scarydead]

@newbrazenasianpride Yea thats true that he doesnt understand but there is more than one way to communicate, for instant music? biwa?

[Hikikomori013]

Wild! It starts with a sense that something is coming, then just keeps building.

This is definitely worth expanding on.

[Obakedake]

Thanks for the comment! Actually I did take this improvisation and expand on it a bit and now it's a song a perform with my djembe player on a regular basis. You can hear a more recent recording of it here: watch?v=ysVjpFvlkR4

[TelevisionPotato]

where can i buy a Satsuma Biwa?

[Obakedake]

Hard to find them outside of Japan, but you can try eBay, as they occasionally pop up. Yahoo Auctions Japan has Satsuma biwa for sale quite often but it might be difficult to get one shipped out of the country. There are some shops in Tokyo and Kyoto and other places in Japan which sell new and used Satsuma biwas.

[TelevisionPotato]

Thanks for the info. If I can't find one in London then I'll have to ask my aunt who lives in Tokyo to try and get one for me.

[Obakedake]

Yeah, that might be the best way to go about it!

[teamshintaichi]

@TelevisionPotato rakutenDOTcoDOTjp replace DOT with . type in 薩摩琵琶 and u will find it but u better be able to speak Japanese and if u thought they were cheap.........................­............no. sorry!

[dilutedDestiny]

i just commented on another of your videos ok so this thing looks diffrent it has frets at least can you get diffrent pitches within one fret?...do you have to use that big cardboard thing? again im new at this but im extremely interested in learning to play and it cant be that difficult if i already play guitar...hopefully....

[Obakedake]

Yes, in order to play the full range of notes you have to bend the strings at the frets up either a half step or sometimes a full step or more. And you have to use the large plectrum to play Satsuma biwa correctly. It's not made of cardboard, however!

I also play guitar, but I have to say playing the biwa is much more difficult. But if you are a good guitar player at least you will be able to coordinate your hand movement better then someone with no experience playing a string instrument.

[taiwankicksass]

intense!

[kalevraa]

my 5-year old says "i like this music very much.  i want to hear more."

i second that. very, very good.

[Obakedake]

Cool! :) Thanks for the comment, both of you!

[sleepwalkerq]

I love this!what the name of this piece?everytime I see your new video,I just feel so satisfied!

is it still your satsuma biwa you always used? looks kinda different...

by the way,I like yo hair

[Obakedake]

Thanks for the comment! Haircut by yours truly. And yeah, it's my same ol' Satsuma.

No name for this yet... Just something I play to practice my tremolos, but since people seem to like it maybe I'll develop it into a song.

[titanrodick]

Amazing. Can't believe that only improv.  You sound great!

[tsutsuing]

nice hair...

[Rahmemhotep]

ha another great piece XD

[Obakedake]

Thanks!

[kadhine]

Very impressive!

[brunello1997]

ブラボー♪です！=^0^= 素晴らしいですね。

後半はものすごい速さで驚きました。しかも、ほとんど手元を見ず­に弾いていますよね。すごいです！

[Obakedake]

コメントありがとうね！

ユッケのために弾いてあげたいけど、多分ビックリされちゃうね！­＝＋０＋＝