Playing contemporary Satsuma biwa 薩摩琵琶

For titanrodick. Just practicing/improvising on the Satsuma biwa.
Picks up about halfway into it.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• contemporary
• Satsuma
• biwa
• 薩摩琵琶
• satsumabiwa
• Japanese
• music
• lute
• pipa
• shamisen

[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.

[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!

[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).

[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.

[RealEros1]

@Obakedake Thanks :D