Learning how to Play Three Japanese Traditional Instruments - Koto, Shamisen, and Biwa

Time flies so fast! Soon it will be September - the month that I start my studies in NYU Tisch in New York. Part of my preparations is to develop my understanding of different musical instruments and to learn to play traditional instruments.

A month ago, I enrolled in a tutorial class to learn playing the koto and presently, I spend three hours of my week on this. According to my teacher, the koto was first used in the Heian period (794AD to 1185). Many could play the koto but it was the blind people who were thought to be the best players. The blind did not have so many options at the time but they could make money by playing the koto.

The kotos that my teacher and I use in class.

Playing the koto was a little difficult for me at first since I have been mostly playing the piano. But after a month, I am beginning to be more familiar with it although I still need to know how to use the 13 different strings of the koto, and at least four unique playing styles to create music. One song that I can play now is a well known Japanese traditional song called Sakura. Please play the video below to listen to a koto instrumental version of Sakura.

My class is interesting because I do not only learn how to play the koto but also relevant information about Japanese traditional music in general. For instance, I learned for the first time that Japanese traditional music has many genres!

Furthermore, I also got to learn about shamisen and biwa. Biwa, is also a string instrument which has its origin in India, and its sound is indeed a little bit similar to sitar. There are many types of biwa in Japan. Some are used with singing, and others are played for instrumental music only. On the other hand, Shamisen is another string instrument which was introduced in the Ryukyu kingdom (1558-1569), popularly known now as Okinawa. Biwa instrumentalists usually played the shamisen and were responsible in developing the different playing styles of shamisen.

This is the biwa that I use in my lessons.

Koto, biwa, and shamisen are all string instruments but each has a distinct and unique sound.

All types of shamisen, like this one, have only tree strings.

My ultimate goal is to become a “glocal” artist – that is “global” and “local” – to represent a unique culture and tradition of Japan to the world through my work as a composer. In line with this, I think that it is very important for me to know more about my country’s traditional music especially that I will soon start my studies in the USA. I want to know more so I will also have more to share with my classmates and professors when they ask me about Japanese music. Lastly, my knowledge of Japanese traditional music will enable me to incorporate traditional sounds into my future compositions.

Me playing the shamisen. The ring-like object that I wear around my thumb is a protection when I grip to press the strings.