Getting the hang of sanshin playing! Practice for Beginners

Mastering the basic posture

Begin by holding the sanshin correctly. Place the sanshin on your lap and support it firmly so that the instrument is stable. Correct posture is the first step in producing a beautiful sound.

Learning the Basic Playing Techniques

There are two basic ways to play the sanshin: "down playing" and "up playing. Practice plucking the strings with your fingers and plectrum (bachi), and try to make each note sound beautiful.

Start with easy tunes

It is important for beginners to start with simple songs. Start by learning basic melodies and developing a sense of rhythm. By practicing repeatedly, you will gradually become accustomed to playing.

Practice short phrases repeatedly.

Choose a part of a song or a short phrase and practice it repeatedly. This method will help you become familiar with hand movements and note production, and improve your playing technique.

Practice producing the correct sound.

The sound of the sanshin varies greatly depending on the position of the strings. By practicing to produce sounds with the strings in the correct position, you will be able to produce clear and beautiful sounds.

Develop a sense of rhythm

Practicing with a metronome or by lightly tapping your foot to keep the rhythm will help you develop a sense of rhythm. It is important to be able to accurately beat the rhythm to the music.

Practice while having fun

The most important thing in practicing the sanshin is to have fun while doing it. Challenging yourself to your favorite songs and feeling the joy of playing while practicing will keep you motivated and help you improve faster.

Sanshin playing skills will certainly improve with repeated practice. As a beginner, do not be in a hurry and practice the basics. Take time to get the hang of it and enjoy the beautiful music played by the sanshin.