The characteristics of Japanese music are the incorporating of natural sounds and effects, and breathing rhythms for the melodies. Besides, the use of traditional instruments such as Shamisen and Koto made Japanese music recognisable. Lastly, Japanese music stand out due the concept of 'Ma' (space), where silence is an important musical element too.

In this padlet, we will find out the development and evolution of shamisen in contemporary metal music using Wagakki band as an example.

At first, the sound of shamisen is hard to capture when all the instruments are played. Until shamisen got a spotlight, listeners are able to clearly hear how a shamisen sounds and what it can do with proper techniques.

Head to 2.24s to find out the magic of shamisen. Beni is indeed a good shamisen player! Playing monophonic tones in a fast tempo, at the same time emphasizing on certain beats, giving the rhythmic pattern. This is not easy at all.

The neck is long, slender and fretless like a violin. Whereas the body is a hollow, drum-like structure and typically made with animal skin. Lastly, the strings were made with nylon that are stretched over the body.

Koto - Kiyoshi Ibukuro

Shakuhachi - Daisuke Kaminaga

Guitar - "Michiya"

Drums - "Wasabi"

Shamisen - Beni Ninagawa

Bass - "Asa"

All in all, I managed to get a closer look and understanding of the traditional Japanese instruments, mainly on shamisen. By discovering its history and its evolution, I am truly impressed with shamisen players. Just like other instruments, mastering the techniques requires years of training. Not only that, but it requires high musicianship and understanding of their own culture to achieve the authentic tone of the instrument. Wagakki band shows me that it is possible to create a unique sound with the mixture of traditional and modern elements.

In modern genres, shamisen no long been played in the traditional plucking and strumming way. Occasionally, some player uses violin bow to play the shamisen to create a different sound. Sometimes, the shamisen is plucked with fingers too.