Shamisen Rocks !
 

I love the sound of the shamisen, the traditional Japanese string instrument. Take a look at this video to find out why...

'Rise' by the Yoshida Brothers (they also did the music for the U.S. Wii commercials).

Yeah quite truly has a magnificent sound and is amazing .if star wars theme is played on it it sounds cool but funny :D but here is another good song

YouTube - Agatsuma A&E Breakfast with the Arts 1/3 Solitude from Beams

This style of shamisen playing is called Tsugaru Jamisen and it was developed in and around Aomori Prefecture in Northern Japan. People there have been rocking hard for well over 100 years. That's way before we even heard of 'rock music'.

Here's a superb solo by a young woman:

wow that was amazing. How do you know so much about this ? :vsign:

Easy! You're talking to a Japanese man!

oh ok that explains alot to me. Would you have to go to japan to get one of those and learn to play?

I'm pretty sure you can get one in America. Just don't know where, though.

Here's Kevin Kmetz, a professional American shamisen player.

oh ok wow he is good at that. would you happen to know any store sites online to buy stuff from there if you're in the states?

I could only find one right now...

Chords Canada Catalogue - Shamisen Instruments