From Beginner to Advanced: How to Step Up Your Sanshin Playing

Beginners: Solidifying the Basics

• Mastering the basics: First, learn how to hold the sanshin, correct posture, and basic playing techniques. It is important to learn how to move your fingers and how to use the plectrum correctly.


• Start with easy songs: Begin practicing with relatively simple songs such as "Tinsagunu Hana" and "Shima Uta. Develop a sense of rhythm while understanding the structure of the song.


• Daily practice: It is important to practice every day, even for short periods of time. By playing repeatedly, you will naturally acquire basic skills.

Intermediate: Deepen your technique and expressiveness.

• Improve your technique: Refine your playing skills by incorporating phrase-by-phrase embellishments and specific techniques (e.g., slips, strong and weak).


• Challenge diverse genres: Try your hand at traditional sanshin tunes as well as pop and other genres. Playing different styles of songs will enrich your expression.


• Record and listen back: Record and listen back to your own performance to find areas for improvement. Objectively evaluating your own playing is a shortcut to improvement.

Advanced: Pursuing originality

• Try your hand at original compositions: Add depth to your playing by writing your own compositions or adding your own arrangements to existing compositions.


• Establish a performance style: Establish your own unique performance style as you play many songs. Expand your range of expression and try to play with emotion.


• Try your hand at live performance and recording: Gain experience as a performer by having opportunities to perform in public.

Improving your sanshin playing skills requires persistent practice and constant exploration. By steadily completing each step, you will grow from a beginner to an expert.