How to Get Your Very Own Tsugaru Shamisen!

[opidacul]

nice channel man, you have skills, one question what is the tune before the last one? is it something you improvised or you heard it somewhere else?

[waqwaqsx]

何度見ても素晴らしい。

[waqwaqsx]

You are a genius. From Japan.

[grantwoolard]

Which beach was that filmed at?

[CubeableGame]

Very good and informative video! What type of shamisen is the one that's being played at 5:46?

[cjohnson02917]

For people who live in Tacoma, or Seattle Washington there is the Kabuki Academy ran buy Mary Ohno. She does shamisen lessons and Kabuki/traditional Japanese dance.

[verbliner]

I am a student in the USA and I will study abroad in Japan next year (I will be living in Fujimi, Saitama prefecture near Tokyo). Also I am really eager to learn the Shamisen myself but I don't know if I should get one through your sources or wait till I go to Japan (I won't go till April of 2012) ? what would be recommendable?

[mikepenny01]

@verbliner If you have the option, I think it's always best to play and inspect the instrument prior to buying it. Just as important is to sample different bachi and find one with the thickness and tone you want, and one that fits the shape and size of your hand. On the other hand, the starter kit offered on the website I mention in the video is the cheapest deal I've come across to date. Shamisen Katoh's store in Tokyo is a great resource. Katoh can help you find what you're looking for.

[verbliner]

@mikepenny01 Thanks for the reply! btw I just got the confirmation from the University in Japan that I applied to today, I got in! So for sure I will go visit Katoh's store in Tokyo. Sorry for the questions, but do you think he would offer resources for me to find a Shamisen Sensei while I am in Japan (I'll be there for 4 months)? I'll also mention that Mike Penny san referred me to you:P (if that's cool). Thank you again! ありがとうございました。

[TheAccartwright]

how long did it take you to learn japanese

[Cthulhuized]

YOU ARE SO COOL!

[GtheJAR]

your hair is freaking awesome:DDDD

and I can make this thing myself!^^ I just need fotos! :3 and sizes! :D can you give me some info?;3 or only the scale ?;]

[jcjs95]

for a moment i thought this was a rickroll because of how he dressed XD

[thehaveninthehand]

This is a great video. It's a little disencouraging with the lack of shamisen retailers, but perhaps I'll be luckier to find one in Europe. I was hoping to learn a new instrument to help me coping with my thyroid condition, but I simply can't afford any of the alternatives that you're stating on my illness benefits. I've loved Japanese culture since I was a child, so playing an instrument that was invented in Japan would be awesome.. Btw, you got skills, I'd love to have you as my sensei :)

[nordicbastard7]

You've got to be the coolest ginger alive in this day in age :D

[iFriendChannel]

whats the name of the songs you play in the vid or are they improv.

[acapulqueable]

I like how you play Shamisen <3

Hermoso hermoso!

[leoncolombo]

Yeeeep, your brain definetely works...

[TevitaDiary]

If you live in Hawaii there is alot of Japanese Shamisen and Minyo teachers

[NicklousDerFag]

By the time I could have everything set up to own a shamisen, move to Japan, learn Japanese, and find a sensei, I'll be all old and stuff. I could move south and find you, but that would still be really hard, and I would still have to get my hands on a shamisen. Bah. Why do I have to take interest in stuff that's hard. It would be awesome if I wanted to be the worlds best jaw harpist.

[ascomate]

it's a really encouraging video, but i don't have enough money :(..... and so, i heard once long ago than in okinawa during second world war the people made their own samiseng with cookies tin, what do you know about this??, can you explain how to make one????.... please????

[seigneurvoland666]

cool window... whats ur area

[farbeyondthedriven01]

a ginger playing a Shamisen now thats a contradiction

[GrandTeutonica]

You're lucky to have a "Shamisen bearing tree" man, don't suppose you'd have any seeds for one? lol

My shamisen was damaged and I had to get rid of it, and now I only have my Chinese Quin quin, it'd be nice to jam with one of the California shamisen players some day, if I ever get a new one though ;-)

[Dwillis1841]

sounds good.But...your pickin tool looks like an ice scraper.

[TheYTmagic]

@Dwillis1841 more like a gum scraper :P

[GroundedControl]

Where can I get my very own Mike Penny? I don't want to devote the years required to learn to play, but I wouldn't mind having some live shamisen action from time to time.

Keep Rocking it!

[st335533]

Mike, You are Awesome

[darthmamdouh]

Dude, awesome video, thanks a lot for sharing your tips on how to get started on this beautiful instrument (and props for your skills playing it)!

Quick question: do you also play the guitar? The reason I ask is that I learned to play the guitar on my own and am fairly comfortable with it now (after 16 years...). I've always dreamed of doing the same with the shamisen. But how do they compare in terms of technique? Are they harder or easier to get acquainted with when beginning? Thanks!

[MaesterTed]

@mikepenny01

Thanks a bunch!

[Ghost331000]

I live near the L.A. area maybe you can help me learn how to play the Shamisen.

[onewaytosavetheday]

You are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!

And hilarious... I don't think I'll be investing in a Shamisen anytime soon though... However, you made me want to think about it :D

Thanks for posting!

[CaterpillarMuffin]

How did you learn to play? :D I'm curious.

[ihavemonkeysinmybutt]

@CaterpillarMuffin he used to live in Japan.

[beefalie]

SUPER COOL DUDE!!! I have Kyle Abbott;s sweet book. I am still working on building my shamisen.

Dude LOS ANGELES WOOT WOOT! Very cool music! Such a sick and awesome songs! Keep up the great work!

[nachoskater44]

Or, or, or, buy one off ebay or amazon.

[unterluup]

@nachoskater44 Or, or, or, it's not that simple. You're lucky if one happens to pop up on one of those websites. Also, there are different kinds of shamisen that look similar but are played differently and a lot of the people selling them on ebay or amazon couldn't tell you what kind it is because they don't know themselves. Just sayin'. In the beginning I tried finding one and was disappointed with what came in the mail. Better to buy from a maker (kinda like breeder vs. puppy mill).

[xAizaOnigirix]

むかしむかし、このがいじんは。。。すげえ～です！

[TarisRedwing]

YAY I got both of Kyle's book as soon as they came out! LOL I didn't think he'd get a mention here. Good plug. I just wish I had more time tr practice my Tsugaru Shamisen. Very fun and eye catching for all to hear though.

[raika19eighty6]

Some bad ass pull offs you got there Mr. Penny. すーばーらーしーい！

[kissick12]

Dear boy, I like you.

Love, Lindsay.

:)

[SheepyMilk]

Do you play guitar too?

[RogerDodger69]

Brace yourselfs for the flood of homemade Naruto soundtracks... son at a web browser near you!!! :D

[WtFuTaLk1nBoUtWiLl1s]

your hands look a bit deformed

[DulBeat]

How is shamisen in terms of difficulty, especially for someone totally inexperienced in playing music? With only three strings, it looks like an "easy to learn, hard to master" deal, but you never know.

[xXfainarufantajiXx]

アメリカに住んでいるのに、ちゃんと日本語を話せます！津軽三味­線を絶対に買いたいです。ひょっとしたら、いつか買うことが出来­ます。所で、あんさんは上手く弾きます！

[hugancallert]

PREEEEEAAASSSEEE have a seat

[TranceSFX]

How did you learn to play this man? Do you play guitar too? Just awesome.

[TheTerrierDog]

3 people aren't worthy of even looking at a shamisen

[TheTerrierDog]

Crap, I live in florida!!! CRAP THE AIRPLANE THAT MADE ME LIVE IN THIS LOVELY PLACE!!!!

[lilwartz92]

3 people don't want their own tsugaru shamisens

[toxicwar]

but i live in califorina D:

[12risingmercury]

....I want to throw down with some crazy drumming to that outro....;)

[rbmusketeer]

this guy gets soooooo much pussy

[purpleforevah]

きゃ〜！この有用なビデオを作ってありがとう！

今年、桜祭りで「セ三味ストリート」と言うバンドを見てから、三­味線を習いたいなのよ。

高校で日本語を勉強ができるのはラッキだけど、ぜんぜん日本楽器­のクラスがないの。。。

ちょっと質問を聞いてもいい？

あなたの三味線を習った事に興味がある、どこでとかだれととかど­のぐらいとかべんきょうしたの。

ありがとう！じゃ、どうぞよろしくね。

[ROFLCOPTR01]

Hajimemashite . Watashi wa Melanie des. Kotoshi kou kou ni iku nowo hajimemashita . I started this year :)

[hugancallert]

@ROFLCOPTR01 google translate<3

[pasteymofo69]

wow dude i have been playing guitar for 8 years now and i must say, now that i have also learned drums and bass, bit of piano, this instrument would definitely have to be the next one i try out, i absolutely love the way they sound and they look difficult to play which is great cuz i like an instrumental challenge XD

[Brilchan]

YAY fav i won't play but it's a great and interesting vid for a fan of Japanese culture thanks

[gacayana]

ive seen some for sale on ebay. are those good ones?

[1994christhomas]

mike.... your a genius

[juxtapos99]

0:16 killing it. damn.

[MarkArandjus]

Not to disrespect traditional playing techniques, but is it possible to learn to play selftaught style like a guitar?

[nightwinger5]

or u can use my friend called the enternet to learn how to play it

[misterw2000]

EBAY....

[ThatCorporateCrime]

oh, what valencia are u located at? because im in newhall in santa clarita. i think that is awesometown, lol.

[ThatCorporateCrime]

mike ur in valencia?

[panzuman]

my only question is can you make one?..... i would love to add this instrument to my list of skills. not everyone likes to hear me play my didj

[Lawrerensongerer]

how did it take you to learn nihongo? im still learning...

[furiouscake]

PLEASE! HAVE A SEAT!

totally awesome. the japanese are great.

[xmetalxbitchx]

marry me pleaseeee :D

[cretinbob]

You are awesome

[cavedweller1996]

I think the first 12 seconds of this video were magical :D

[Porkaleena]

Youtube won't let me post the link, but there is a store (in California I think) called Kotos and More. They sell two different models of Tsugaru shamisen, but they're a little on the expensive side for a beginner.

[mikepenny01]

@Porkaleena Thanks for the info! I'll check them out.

[lyprov]

I don't think the start-up kit is on the site anymore. =/ I went to where the shamisen should be, but it said no items found.

[Jmyster4]

i'll stick to my ibanez

[FlREMAGIC]

do you play with Er Hu

[MetalfanRockfan]

tht was epic

[syaiomid]

love this stuff

[cryomiequinox]

HILL BILLY OH SHIT

[metodex]

i see you speak japanese pretty well(im no judge).

Is it hard to learn? cause im stuck between german-french-and japanese.

If its really hard ill start right away,Please reply Mikepenny01!!!

[Hikikomori013]

@metodex

It's really hard. Start yesterday. Get to good classes, study hard and only watch cartoons in the original Japanese with subtitles. Better to watch without subtitles when you can.

Study the writing system and get the best dictionaries you can afford. Use the dictionaries to read Japanese comics in the original language. You won't be able to at first, but constant practice is vital to retaining a language.

Find someone to practice with. Go to Japan and talk to people.

You can do it!

[ThisIsMeRavy]

You're like another version of Conan O'Brian lol

[Scottde420]

its cool how you play in that circle window i like that room

[Oneofthosecoolkids]

funny and talented guy

subscribed!

[GamerfulCody]

I lived in Okinawa Japan for 5 years, this was HUGE! there =)

[theonethatiam]

will you marry me? you're so adorable!

[vHectik]

Play the sponge bob theme tune

[theshepherdofoz]

Mike, you know what? I'm not gunna lie. I think I'm in love with you... :P

[rigaaz]

dude the tree part made me laugh like a little girl hahahaha

[CliffThe1st]

I shall teach my first child how to play THE TSUGARU SHAMISEN!

[BaffleBento]

Hahahaha, I ... I'm not sure why, but I love your sense of humor. X)

Totally helpful vid btw, kudos here.

[MisoSamolai]

shoot! i need to find that shamisen tree...

[coffin13]

never knew spiderman also plays the shamisen..lol

[2SpecedPkrz]

i thought there was something was wrong with your hands but its like a guitar pick...

[firelilee]

omg dude you could make a killing if you sold shamisens in the us... hurry do this i wants one!

[jeewizzzz]

you really should grow that mustache as long as you can im not even kidding it would look soooo good

[colloredbrothers]

the guy knows JAPANESE! HOLY SHIT FUXIN COOL

[TheAlleycat6]

he kinda looks like peter parker from the spider man movies...

[tjenk712]

A ginger playing a dog hide covered Japanese guitar,,,,..it is the last horseman of the apocalypse...time to start using those heavy drugs....

[oftenKICKEDbaby]

Wow looks like an awesome instrument just wondering how you came to play it considering they are so rare in the u,s,

[010arman010]

too mach mani.

[Anaikimaru]

Hey Fiddle Fella, there are other teachers of shamisen in the United States. Areas include Orlando and Miami Florida, as well as NYC, Washington State, as well as an online instructor from Colorado. Feel free to send me your info and I'll add it to the list on my website.

Thanks!

[mistertomlinson]

You can buy Shamisens all day long on eBay, straight from Japan. Just search for "Shamisen."

[TheSilentWolf]

@mistertomlinson very true!

[girizimosay]

i want to be you when i grow up

[thezooprincess]

You are so cute and talented! Wow :3

[thezooprincess]

You are so cute and talented! Wow :3

[TheOrginalTimboSlice]

0:48 he has more than one XD

[chrisswafford]

the link to the cheap one is useless if you dont speak the language, the english tab takes u to one page and everything you click afterwords goes back to previous language...

[mikepenny01]

@chrisswafford Click the first link, click the British flag icon (upper right hand corner) for English, click "others" (left hand column), click Japanese instruments, and there you'll see the shamisen set. It's a bit complicated, haha.

[chrisswafford]

@mikepenny01 oh ok thanks, i was kinda mad i wanted one and was like crud lol, but yea still a bit above my pay grade...maybe when i get real job lol

[person509]

@mikepenny01 not trying to be a fanboy or anything but your a beast

[lutecore]

That plectrum looks so big and awkward

[MrMizguided]

He's a pro Tsugaru Shamisen player and

His Japanese is perfect!

Anymore awesomeness?

[ExPliCiTxSniPeZ]

Kyle Abbott's family and him were on trading spouses

[Flaoither3]

0:18 you where playing kokiriko bushi

[Trogdoor125]

Thank you for this video you posted; it was really helpful. Do you also know where i can get starter sets for Biwas and or Kokyus?

[bcbluecheese]

ill stick to my ukulele :D

[FreshlyBakedGrass]

1:15

DEEP V'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DinosawrJr]

Where can I buy a shamisen? I went to the website but I can't read in Japanese or what ever that language is. I'd appreciate your help. Thank You.

[duffmasterofpuppets]

What's the glove for? Finger spacing?

[GumbyBeast]

GO TO EBAY.

[soulreapersora83]

auto subbed.

[tikidung]

do a cover of handels passacaglia =D it will make me very happy

[tikidung]

do a cover of handels passacalia =D it will make me very happy

[drpeppa2357]

This instrument looks like the lovechild of a 3 way with a guitar, a banjo, and a washboard. Jus' sayin, looks very cool i admit.

[dotsRcoolman]

question: can you teach me the wayts of the shaminegashabalabadingdong thingy, the ting you play that makes cool sounds! teach me how to play that please.

[stargroove4]

DUDE, YOU ROCK, I WISH I COULD HANG OUT WITH YA AND JAM!!!

[PyroTurtleZX]

Exactly where are you in the Greater LA are?

[PyroTurtleZX]

@PyroTurtleZX Minus one "are" because I'm meticulous about spelling/grammar

[mikepenny01]

@PyroTurtleZX Valencia right now.

[iMIKEYSOTO]

@mikepenny01 SIX FLAGS!!!!!

[atf22]

@mikepenny01 do u go to Cal Arts?

[h3llrais3r44]

Oh yeah. I could see Cannibal Corpse using one of these.

[eobo1]

effing brutal

[OfficialDJDSign]

You are so awesome man, im going to remix your bed intruder cover...lol

[ClarenceItani]

Learn to speak Japanese confidently with these interactive audio lessons, watch the video - youtube.com/watch?v=wfseANZtMN­g

[chubbymosher700]

when you said hello at the begining it sounded like father mulcahy from M.A.S.H.

[gimpforbrawl]

So what is it like living in japan?

[coolsambo60]

Your, sir, are the Lord of all creation.

[villerend]

That looks really hard to play. :\

[jduelist00]

im just curious. how did YOU learn how to play?

[iThUmPeRiiBlemo]

You should be in a metal band! :D Preferably metalcore lol

[hurricanemichael]

How does the tone of the synthetic skin shamisen compare to the leather ones? Is it vastly inferior or just not quite as good?

[DameonLaeheartxx]

Are you a weeaboo? Just asking.

[OverdramaticPirate]

@DameonLaeheartxx He's been to Japan, and speaks perfect Japanese. A weeaboo is someone who can't speak Japanese, and has never been to Japan, but still act like they can and have.

[DameonLaeheartxx]

@OverdramaticPirate A weeaboo by definition is someone who isn't Japanese and prefers Japanese culture over their own. Fitting that criteria makes a Weeaboo, no matter how progressed the victim's disease is. A weeaboo is a weeaboo.

[OverdramaticPirate]

@DameonLaeheartxx Did you really, honestly look up an official definition? It's a slang term, there is no official definition. Weeaboo or not, your not gonna stop this guy from making videos, so I would just stop before you waste any more of your time.

[DameonLaeheartxx]

@OverdramaticPirate no, i didn't. i never intended to stop him from making videos by asking "are you a weeaboo?" i'm not sure how that was taken for a hostile comment with the effect of stopping the use of japanese culture by this weeaboo. now that i think about it, where did you even get that? did i ever say "hey, stop making videos"?

[passion4drums]

hahaha "HEEEELLLOOOOOOO"

[maulcs]

Does yours have cat skin and a turtle shell pick? :/

[orenco]

You have successfully subscribed.

[J0ecK]

i gotta get one of these in a band .. .:D

[yugiohrulesd00d]

At least Conan's making good use of his free time.

[chordscanada]

You can also get shamisen and other Japanese instruments and accessories from Chords Canada. We stock them in our Toronto warehouse and ship to most places around the world. We sell Kyle Abbott's "Shamisen of Japan", too. :-) (Mike, we have a common friend in Kyle - feel free to ask him about us. We've known each other a while, and he even credits Chords in his book.)

So please check out our website - you can find it by searching for "chords canada shamisen".

[mikepenny01]

@chordscanada This is great! I'll definitely check you out and put a link in the video. Thanks.

[GaolisVideoLog]

T_T Why is stuff from Japan always so expensive...

[qazmatoz]

So...Where can I easily get some new strings for a shamisen? 

[VirtualDeath]

SHAMISENOFJAPAN. GOOGLE IT

[iluvted2]

Where do you teach! I want to be your apprentice!

[meshumekha]

How can I get your splendid round window sill? For this is truly what I would like to obtain.

[yahman1245]

Your facial expressions are epic.

[warpticon]

Hi there. First, I want to say your playing is great and a pleasure to listen to. I've wanted to learn shamisen for quite some time, but I have a problem. I have never found nor heard of a shamisen designed for left-handed play. I play all other string instruments this way, and I can't imagine trying to learn shamisen "backwards." Do you have any idea what it might take to acquire one? I suspect I'd have to have it custom made, but I'd be pleasantly surprised if that wasn't the case.

[warpticon]

Also, I want to say that I have considered that the instrument looks symmetrical and thereby receptive to reverse stringing, but I have read conflicting descriptions that would indicate that may not be the case. I don't want to end up with an instrument I can't play, so I'm playing it safe.

[mikepenny01]

@warpticon Since the instrument is symmetrical the only issue you'd encounter trying to retrofit it for a left-handed player would be having to redrill holes in the tuning pegs where the string passes through. A small drill press would do the trick.

Woooooooooooo! Shamisen! Ya know what I'm sayin'?!!!!!!!

Just kidding. I just came back from karaoke, and readjustment is proving to be rather difficult.

[larzlarzpantsonfarz]

I just want to say, you have totally helped me out immensely. I have been looking for information everywhere to find a place to buy them and a way to learn it for months. I just found all that information in 6 minutes and 45 seconds (from Auto-Tune the News on the HOOOO!). Thank you. subbed for sure.

[ShadowSword32]

Poeple, there are a good bit on ebay from $175 to all the way $3000.

shop . ebay . com/i . html?_nkw=shamisen

[ShawEagle2012]

45,000 dollars!?!??!? holy shit! dammit, you just ruined my dreams :(