Learn to Play Shamisen - Proper Tuning

[MsNintendogs]

where you bought ur shamisen?

[fiddlefella]

@MsNintendogs I built that one myself.

Bachido.com will be selling shamisen (of all price ranges) and accessories like strings, bridges and such around mid-September.

[nzigen31]

First of all, you should help people to find one of these for a good price lol

[fiddlefella]

@nzigen31 I'm actually working on that as we speak. :-) My current project is getting a supplier.

In the meantime, you can head to Bachido (google it). That's where the cheap shamisen will be when I acquire them. :-)

[Greenjah81]

so it's tuned to A=440>\? I mean it matched to my guitar A

[gwdone]

Thanks a lot! I'm going to get one very soon and was hoping someone would have some tuning here.  Many thanks!

[mikichanchanchan]

This didn't really help me because you did it really fast and I have absolutely no idea what strings you are striking and it what fashion so I can't tune my shamisen yet can you do another video a little easier to understand if you have time, please?

[fiddlefella]

@mikichanchanchan

Thanks for your feedback! :-) I should have mentioned which strings are which.

Yes, I'll be making another video soon, as this one is just a beta test.

It may be a little while for that video to be made, so I'll tell you now.

[fiddlefella]

@mikichanchanchan

The string stuck at :01 is the thickest string. The string struck at :10 is the middle string and the thinnest string is struck at :16.

There's only three tones (one per string), but I'm striking each string repeatedly so you can hear it over and over again. First listen to the tone of the thick string on my shamisen and then tune up the thick string on your shamisen to match the tone. Repeat with the last two strings.

Please let me know if you have more questions! :-)

[1mchartmann]

@mikichanchanchan . The guy that made these videos needs to learn about how to teach people. These videos from this person have been poor teaching tools. Poster schould watch other how to videos and learn something. Disapointment

[okinawaskate]

could you please tell me the keys their supposed to be in.

[Chichiri520]

Is it true that while you are in the middle of playing the Shamisen, it starts to un-tune itself and while you are playing, you have to tune it all at the same time?

Would this apply for nagauta and jiuta shamisen too?

[fiddlefella]

@Chichiri520

Well, the main reason the strings go out of tune is that when you tune it up or down, the strings will stretch or contract. So, if you leave the strings detuned until you play it, when you tune it up, it will really go out of tune, as the silk/nylon is stretching a lot more. It's especially true for nagauta/jiuta, 'cause I believe nagauta shamisen is detuned when not in use.

[fiddlefella]

@Chichiri520 Tsugaru shamisen doesn't go out of tune as much because you leave the strings tuned up when you stop playing. It still happens, but not quite as much.

So basically, shamisen does go out of tune, but from personal experience, I find it doesn't go out as much as people say it does. Heck, all instruments go out of tune a bit. ;-)

[paulroessli]

how helpfull!!! 

[smolly]

Hello. just wondering where you can buy a shamisen from?

[acouragefann]

while e-bay isnt a bad place to start, there arent real quality shamisen there. Shamisen start at about 3000 dollars if you want good quality

[MejiMelodi]

EBAYYYY

[trincaman]

It is the Honchoushi? (A-E-A)

I', learning to play shamisen and I kind of lost with the tunes

[7610111610510010597]

I just wanted to know where I can get the strings =P

[sh4mr0ck]

I'm confused about the difference between the three types of tunings, though personally I prefer the Honchoshi method. Do you know the differences?

[fiddlefella]

Yeah. I like Honchoushi too (though I'm more familiar playing out of niagari)

Well, there are 3 main tunings, as you know. Niagari, Sansagari, and your favorite, Honchoushi.

To get to niagari, from Honchoshi, you tune the ni-no-ito up two spaces.

To get to sansagari from honchoushi, you tune the san no ito down two spaces, I think.

Is that what you mean by differences?

[sh4mr0ck]

Not really...rather is each of the tuning method suited for a different type of song? I just got my shamisen and I tried playing the same song on it, it just didn't feel right with sansagari.

[fiddlefella]

Ah yeah. The song melodies are suited to the tuning, most of the time. They have to be, so the sawari is "in tune".

In the song notation, they usually say what tuning to use. If you use another, not only will the sawari be off, the fingering is harder.

Honchoushi seems to be used a lot in folk songs. Niagari is used a lot more in Jonkara pieces. Sansagari. . . who the heck knows what's goin' on with that tuning. ;-)

[sh4mr0ck]

Oh thanks! It cleared things up a bit. You and your videos have been a huge help.

[fiddlefella]

Good. Glad I could help. Yes, the videos are meant to be helpful! ;-) I had just posted this one to show the hand position, but I realize now that I shoulda also showed the 3 tunings. Ah well.

[Gruskor]

I can´t find any books about Shamisen playing, is it possible to learn without?

[fiddlefella]

Of course! I think most people learn shamisen without books. All ya need in learning is just fiddling around with the shamisen (I.e, playing, even if you don't know what you're doing, just to build some coordination) and imitating other players.

[Chichiri520]

@fiddlefella

I agree with you there. Many Japanese websites urged visitors for a teacher. Sadly, there are no teachers around here. I guess one can learn by themselves but if the person finds a teacher, it would be better because you can learn properly. You will already have a head start though. :D

[Chichiri520]

I love your shamisen skills!

Would this go for the Nagauta and Jiuta Shamisen as well?

[fiddlefella]

Thanks!

Yes, this tuning works for nagauta/jiuta shamisen. However, the tuning depends on the nagauta/jiuta piece/song rather than the actual shamisen. This is one of the 3 main tunings used in nagauta/jiuta/tsugaru pieces. So, yeah. it works! :-)

[Bancaer]

I use a tuner for the 1st string (the thickest), and get it to C. Then you should be able to tune the others from the harmonics of a sawari - if they're in tune, they'll ring correctly. If they aren't, they'll sound dead.

[Bareleaf]

your videos are very helpful. However I still cant match your tuning to mine. Having difficulty even for a guitar player. Any other tips, can I use a chromatic tuner?

Thanks