5-string Chikuzen biwa 五弦筑前琵琶 chikuzenbiwa

[Furballokami]

How or where would I find/buy one of these? How much do they normally cost? I've been wanting one for a few years. So yeah. Any help would be wonderful.

Thanks, Furball

[Obakedake]

@Furballokami

As I mentioned unfortunately they are quite rare outside of Japan and very expensive no matter where you buy them.

[Furballokami]

@Obakedake eh. oh well thanks anyway.

[Hydeist117160]

Amazing bro, harsh my ass I feel like a damn samurai listening to this.

[CriterionCoIIection]

very harsh, unpleasant sound. I much prefer the shamisen!

[Obakedake]

@CriterionCoIIection

unfortunately I can't record the sound well and I'm just a novice player. if you listen to a good player the sound is quite beautiful and refined.

[CriterionCoIIection]

@Obakedake well...i listened to it again and it sounds much better. i must have been blasting the volume or something.

[pichihime7]

Is your home traditional? I've been DYING to live in one!! o(>o<)o

[kathrynrain]

Sorry I meant the *only thing not kinky thing lol. Spell check is horrible

[kathrynrain]

Hi! Thanks for the video, its really inspiring! Ur a great player. The kinky thing is the highest note u are playing sounds out of tune a bit and perhaps ur exaggerating the "vibrato" aspect of it? Otherwise u sound excellent! Thanks again :)

[marcusrehn]

You are probably good, sounds terrible though..

[Fishroads]

arent these instrument expensive? where you get the moey XD, but you play it very well^^

[NewYorkViolets]

aaaaah......MY EARS!!!!!

[Klepto]

I love the biwa, and you play it pretty well. :3

[turboMATRIX03]

how much do they cost?

i have a shamisen and want a biwa and a shakuhachi

i am visiting japan again in dec

[Obakedake]

@turboMATRIX03

Unfortunately quite expensive... A good 5-string Chikuzen biwa is about $3000 to $5000 but you can find a cheaper on auction or in a shop if you are lucky.

[PushItAway]

@Obakedake How do you afford it?

[TKGMALICE]

@turboMATRIX03 mine was 1600

[hardcorechicano]

is that acoustic? wow....

[GuardianDemonX]

u have try the vietnamese Dan Ty Ba yet ? it sound more beautiful than this biwa

[foreverhappye]

This music instrument looks like pipa...but it's sound very special... I like it very much.Now, I'm learning pipa. So, I hope that someday I also can learn this music instrument.

[fruitygalaxy]

can you play a cover with this? :) for example, nirvana cover :)

[Obakedake]

Actually it's weird that you mention it because I was planning to do a Nirvana cover with my biwa/drum duo Gajin! Still haven't got much done except the intro to About a Girl, but thanks for reminding me. I'll get cracking on it! I love Nirvana and think it would be cool to play Nirvana on the biwa.

[legendofwii92]

That is so cool! Very beautiful Japanese instrument.

One question, can a Biwa instruments have more then 5 strings?

[oldsmanguy]

can you buy a biwa in the US?

[Obakedake]

I know people who have found them... Check eBay often, and there might be a place to order one online. Otherwise, you might luck out at a rare instrument shop or antique shop but I'd say the chance is pretty slim. They are difficult to find even in Japan.

[oldsmanguy]

cool, thank you for the info. ile start looking and keep up the good work dude.

[mikepenny01]

Enjoyed it as always, Obakedake! Do you do any of the narratives/monogatari with self-accompaniment on the Biwa? Just curious.

[Obakedake]

Yeah, I do actually! I'm performing a fairly long piece this coming Saturday with a few other players so I'll try and get a video of it. I also will perform Kawanakajima as a duet in a big concert later this year. The singing aspect is pretty tough but I'm getting the hang of it. I've yet to post anything on YouTube because I'm representing the school of Asahikai and I don't want to go put up anything sub-par lest I bring down the wrath of my superiors!

[juliahdomingues]

Biwa is beautiful. Congratulations *-*

[yurasleepless]

thank uuu (= i gonna get one day a biwa too. till then i just upgraded my concert guitar with som ewood to make it sound like a sitar = its fun and i tuned it like biwa though XD ogi no mato is my fav. biwa + voice piece. can you tell me how the biw is tuned in ogi no mato? i found for heiki biwa tuning this: A, c, e, a or A, c-sharp, e, a. but its more than 5 stings, so which one is best for ogi no mato? よろしくを願いします

[Obakedake]

I usually tune my Chikuzen biwa to c, G, c, d, g. Not sure what tuning would be best for that particular song, but you can try that tuning. As for the 6th string, you could try tuning it to g as well.

[yurasleepless]

kewl! thank you! i gonan try this tuning. tell me please, whats the difference, between the small and big letters like G g ? happy greetings, yura (^_^)V

[Obakedake]

The big G is one octave lower than the small g!

[yurasleepless]

kewl. its funnny, once a cosmic secret is solved - the answer was pretty logic from the beginning XD

thank you very much

and i wish u agreat NOW

pew pew

yura

[kalevraa]

splendid, as always.

[viniciovp4ever]

I prefer shamisen

[crumblenaut]

Very nice!

[colombiano57]

so nice

[Max0Inq]

Very strange sound. The buzz is similiar to sitar sound, but it's much shorter and more annoying than relaxing. The pegs are looking kinda silly, you must be extreamally careful to not break them.

[Obakedake]

The buzzing ("sawari") came out much more harsh in this recording... My biwa in particular has a very bold sound, but I feel it matches the war and battle songs in the biwa repertoire. The pegs are actually very tough. They are made of extremely hard wood and are difficult to break.

[guitashamilele]

Thanks for your helpful comments.

[hermano1383]

if i close my eyes can fly away

[Obakedake]

Yes, the gakubiwa dates back to the 7th century or so, but the moso biwa (played by monks) came around that time as well, perhaps a hundred years later.

[Mayu0248]

It's quite nice. I'm sure you'll get better with practice.

[MrSniper1000]

Do you feel limited when you play it at all? Because considering the amount of strings and frets it has I wouldn't have thought it would be quite so versatile. :)

[Obakedake]

Actually this kind of biwa has one more string than the vast majority of 4-string biwas, the fifth string on modern Satsuma biwas actually being a doubled-fourth. Also, with the very flexible strings you can bend up to any note you need in half steps, so it's actually quite versatile!

[meijimari]

Very delicate sound! Your versatility is wonderful. Hope to see more. My teacher of Chikuzen lives in Colorado, so I do internet lessons. California koto supplier Reiko Obata' sells silk strings and a five-string student Chikuzenbiwa set....I've got a four-string Edo-age one from my teacher before I will learn on the five-string... The songbook I have is from 1930, but stumbled on some older ones at a used bookstore list...so will check them out. My grandfather played satsuma, no songbook!

[Obakedake]

Thanks for the comment! I've been working on my Chikuzen biwa playing a lot these days so keep an eye out for some more videos. Doing a lot of vocal work as well, and have been singing some old Japanese songs!

Thank you for the info regarding the internet shop! I have to say they sell an odd looking Chikuzen biwa, but if they sell strings that would be very helpful for someone I know.

Good luck with your biwa playing and I hope to hear from you soon!

[GospelRoadRt666]

I have read that some prefer the Chinese Pipa compared to the Japanese Biwa. Have you ever played the pipa? What do you prefer. I love the sound of the Biwa more because I prefer a more grungy and grainy sound.

so much work in preparing the instrument wow

[Obakedake]

I've never played the pipa before but I do love it. It's my favorite Chinese instrument next to the guqin. It has such a beautiful sound and I love the rapid tremolo playing style. But I have to say I do prefer the Japanese biwa. The Satsuma biwa is my favorite instrument of them all! I think a lot of people say they prefer the pipa because it's more accessible, and because the Japanese biwa really doesn't record well. You need to hear one live, in a small room, to really appreciate it.

[tsutsuing]

part of sakura fubuki is great!

[Chichiri520]

No problem. The biwa is an interesting instrument, I dont see or hear of anyone playing it.I just hear the usual koto, shamisen, shakuhachi ensemble..theyre nice too.

Anyway, keep up the good work! I enjoy your Biwa videos.

[Obakedake]

Yeah, the biwa is definitely a rarer instrument, but personally I enjoy it more than any other Japanese instrument. I'm happy whenever I hear someone who has some interest in it!

[Chichiri520]

Yeah, and it is such a treat to my ears to hear and see someone playing it rather than hearing it on a record. gah, youre so lucky! xD

By they way, are the two Biwas behind you yours too?

[Obakedake]

There are a few other good biwa videos on YouTube but not that many good Chikuzen biwa vids. I hope to add more soon!

The Satsuma biwa on the right is mine (my precious!), but the Chikuzen on the left was on loan from my teacher. She has about 7 or 8 Chikuzen biwas....

[Chichiri520]

Woah! Really cool! The Biwa is such an awesome instruments. I like how it has a sitar like noise yet it sounds so...distant and haunting.

How did you come across a Biwa of your own?

Please make more videos. ^_^

[Obakedake]

Thanks for the comment! The buzzing drone sound that is similar to the sound of the sitar is called "sawari" in Japanese. The has unique way of producing these sounds with the wide frets. I often adjust the frets to get the best sound!

I hope to upload some videos soon... I've been very busy preparing to be in the biwa ensemble for the Asahikai winter concert!

[darthsion71]

and what is the difference between a satsuma,chizuken,and gagaku biwa?

[Fishroads]

that sounds cool where did you get the biwa isnt it very expensive?

[Obakedake]

I got this particular biwa on Yahoo auction for a very good price. I was expecting it to end at about $3000 or more, but I bought it for $1200. A very good deal!

[loverpath]

wow i see.. its quite nice the way u play. i find that the biwa and the pipa have quite a few things in common... nice playing.

[Obakedake]

Thank you for your comments!

I finally got the instrument tuned up so it sounds great these days!

Biwa and pipa are similar in a lot of way.  The pipa is so cool... I'd love to be able to play it. It looks so difficult with all the finger picks! I love listening to the pipa, and it's probably my favorite Chinese instrument, along with the guqin.

[loverpath]

It is a little hard for first timers. I know I once did had a hard time learning. just practice and you'll be fine. but it might be a little harder for you, cause the biwa actually plays like the liu qin and ruan[right hand]. but don't worry, you'll be fine after you mastered the basic. if you learned the pipa playing the gu zheng and gu qin would be very easy to you :D

[Obakedake]

Unfortunately I don't have a pipa right now but I'd like to get one day and learn how to play it. I love Chinese string instruments, and I would love to be able to play any of them. I just need a teacher! Do you think it is possible to learn any Chinese instruments by yourself?

[loverpath]

well. to me i don't think you need a teacher for the learning. cause the basic are rather easy, you just need practice.

[darthsion71]

If you want to learn a pretty easy Chinese string instrument you should try duxianqin.

It is a little hard at first but when you get a hang of it it is pretty easy.

[Obakedake]

That's similar to the Vietnamese instrument, correct? I'd love to have one... One day when I have some extra money I'd like to go to China and get a few instruments!

[darthsion71]

what is similar? duxianqin?

[Obakedake]

Yeah, the duxianqin seems similar to the Vietnamese Đàn bầu, which is a really cool instrument. I've never heard a duxianqin before but would like to!

[darthsion71]

I'll send you a video of it and how do you adjust the frets on the biwa

[Obakedake]

Thanks for the video! Really cool sounding instrument... You've really got to have a delicate touch with it, I imagine!!

As far as adjusting the frets on the biwa, it's a pretty violent process. You have to knock the frets off the instrument with a mallet then glue them back on using a special animal resin glue. The glue holds but also is weak enough so it doesn't ruin the wood when you knock it off. I usually hire a biwa maker adjust my frets, but if one breaks off I can fix it myself.

[Classicrock515]

What exactly do you study/what did you major in in college/what college did you go to? cause i'm a HS senior and this is exactly the stuff that i want to do.

[Obakedake]

I majored in Japanese Language & Literature at UC Irvine. Now I'm living in Japan and learning from a professional biwa player, but I hear there's a few teachers in the states. I don't think you'd be limited by your college major if you want to study Japanese music though. All you really need is to find a teacher, who can guide you from there.

[taiwankid13]

i'd like to know where to buy one.

[Obakedake]

Obviously Japan would be the best place, but I know that's not possible for a lot of people! I bought this biwa off of Yahoo! Auctions Japan, so if you can find a seller that is willing to ship internationally that could help. I saw a 5-string Chikuzen biwa on eBay not too long ago that was a good deal as well. Try the auction sites!

[taiwankid13]

Oh OK thanks. i've been to Japan about 8 times now and i couldn't find a decent deal on a Biwa, but i'll keep my eyes open on auction sites.

[Obakedake]

If you're ever in Kyoto let me know and I'll send you the address of a shop that specializes in selling old biwas. You might have some luck there!

[taiwankid13]

OK sounds good will do.

[Rahmemhotep]

when i get my biwa, (when i get the money lol) i actually am getting a chikuzen XD

[Obakedake]

Make sure to find a 5-string! You can get 4-string Chikuzen biwas cheaply but you won't be able to play most of the modern songs.

[Obakedake]

Oops, sorry Rahmemhotep! I accidentally removed your comment when I meant to click reply... They shouldn't make the buttons so close together!

Anyway, 700 for a 5-string chikuzen biwa is very cheap! I would go for it if it is in decent condition! They are at least $5000 new...

[seniorwisdom]

wow ur very good! I wanted to learn biwa al while ago but it drove my grandma crazy lol!

keep up the good work!!!!!!!

[shamisendemon]

WHAT THE???... Hey! Who ARE you???

[emoboi1031]

d00d! you're smexi :D

i usually slap mine a little more than plucking it and it comes out loverly everytime.

and i hold my plectrum like i'm playing shamisen. but you're prolly better than i am!

[Obakedake]

You play the chikuzen biwa as well? Very cool! There are proper forms and whatnot but having your own technique and style is what makes music interesting. Keep it up!