flickr: Sanshin

I went out and got a sanshin. San means three and shin means string; so you get how it got its name. It is an Okinawan musical instrument that has a body covered, usually with Habu, snake skin. Three strings of which are hit using a special kind of pick called a tsume. It looks like a finger but sharper at the end, nail like.

I enjoy Okinawan music ( actually, not so much the new stuff; although I find a good amount of new jams that tickle my fancy ) but I enjoy the old Ryūkyū tunes more. Folk songs and such passed down from ages and ages ago. After I visited my sister-in-law’s house where I played with one for hours learning 12 notes of a song I decided it was time to get one; I’ve been on Okinawa for almost 4 years, married an Okinawan girl and I don’t have one?

After a late night visit to a local music story that I frequent every so often for microphones and mixers ( Music Boss; a picture of the one I bought is here, actually, it is that one! ), I picked up a used sanshin without the traditional Habu snake skin. I know it doesn’t sound as good, but its mainly for training purposes. Once I get good, I’ll sell it and get a real nice one.

So far, been loving it. Practice makes perfect so I’ve been hitting the strings for hours each day trying to get one song down. The song name is Ahabushi and you can hear it here. Once I get it down, I’ll post a video, or audio of me playing it. Then its off to the bars for drunken karoke and sanshin playin!