No matter what you’re wearing – casual, formal, or traditional kimono – slippery fabrics can make your shamisen slide while playing. A simple trick lets you hold your instrument steady and play with ease.
Many beginners feel like their strings break constantly. What initially brings pride can quickly turn into frustration. Does it really have to be that way? There are several factors that can shorten a string’s lifespan. If you want to avoid unnecessary string wear and save yourself from constantly restringing and breaking in new strings, there are a few things to keep in mind.
What is the yubisuri for, and how do you wear this little accessory correctly? The yubisuri is a very practical companion that rightly has a permanent place in every shamisen player’s case. You can read here about the differences between the various models and how to find the right size.
No matter how carefully you try to avoid it, you might drop your bachi or it falls off your desk. In the best case, you just get a scare, but often a corner breaks off. It needs to be repaired, but fortunately, it’s quite easy.
A complete shamisen starter set can be kept quite minimal in the beginning. You don’t need much to start playing songs on the instrument. However, to keep your shamisen in good condition, it needs proper care and storage. Here, I introduce several levels of equipment, starting with the minimal set, which can and should be gradually expanded.
