When things are going too smoothly
Summer is around the corner, we retrieve our loose pants, skirts and dresses from the backs of our closets, and then we realize we have a problem: The shamisen slips off your leg, despite our reliable anti-slip-mat. Loose cuts and flowing, smooth fabrics have the downside that either the shamisen slides off the fabric or the fabric and the shamisen slide off the leg. The result is the same: Playing in a relaxed and comfortable way is impossible. The easiest solution seems to be to just get changed into a different outfit. But there's an even better, no-hassle way to transform any outfit into a comfortable one for playing shamisen.
Shami's Little Helper
All you need is a grippy cloth. I usually use my shamisen cleaning cloth "tsuyafukin" because I have it handy when I'm playing anyways. But a dish towel or a cotton napkin work just as well. The short version (napkin) works well for slippery pants. For dresses, skirts, and other garments that stretch over both your legs you're gonna need a longer piece of cloth like for example a Japanese "tenugui" or a dish towel.
They all work the same way: we cover the leg that we put our shamisen on with an additional layer of non-slip fabric.
The tsuyafukin is always close by. Otherwise, a cotton napkin will work just as well.
The versatile tenugui is a lifesaver in this situation. A more accessible alternative is a dish towel.
Variation 1: The Shortie
If you're wearing pants, tuck the short end of the folded cloth under the inside of the thigh that's going to support the shamisen. Let the remaining piece hang loosely over your thigh. Now place the shamisen on your thigh - it's going to be as comfortable as your favorite non-slip pants.
Simply tuck the short side under your thigh and wrap the rest loosely over your thigh.
With this quick adjustment you're ready to play!
Variation 2: The Long Piece
For garments where the fabric stretches over both legs, you grab a long piece of cloth and tuck it on the outside of the leg that does not hold your shamisen. You then cover both legs with the cloth and let it hang over your second leg. Place the shamisen on top and start playing!
For skirts, dresses and similar cuts, tuck the short end under outside of the opposite thigh and lay the cloth over both legs.
Comfort in the blink of an eye!
Sometimes, life can simply be easy :) I wish you all a good summer season and many hours of comfortable playing with beautiful music.
Watch the video here:
You can watch the video about this topic here - if you want to hear me chatter away :)
