Part two of our conversation about the dynamic of our professional shamisen career with the media! Special story: Around 2010, the Japanese media came all the way to California to document Mike's life of shamisen. What did they do when they discovered Mike's room had a less-than-Japanophile level of decoration? Listen on!

Bachi on the Horn - You Must Be So Excited! Pt. 2 (E04)

Whether we are choosing a new shirt or notes for our new composition, we often seek the advice of others to help affirm our decisions. Ideally, I (Kyle Abbott) believe that feedback is best used as a tool to help turn my artistic vision into reality. 

For doing this, it's essential to have a friend who's tastes and advice you can trust. Someone who is able to put their own preferences aside, understand what your vision is, and offer suggestions from their individual viewpoint to help express the most from your vision. (Rather than suggest changing the piece simply to match their own personal tastes). That's just my opinion. Let's hear what Mike thinks too!

Bachi on the Horn - What is good feedback? (E05)

Today, Mike and Kyle open the ol' shitsumon-bukuro (Question Bag) and address a partial question posed by Karl Hedlund! 

Today's topic - Composition: How to take anything and develop it into something magical!

Bachi on the Horn - Question from Karl! (E06)

Having recently completed his PHD dissertation for the subject of Tsugaru Shamisen, Gerry McGoldrick takes a California vacation and visits Bachido HQ!

In this special guest episode of Bachi on the Horn, Gerry gives fascinating insight about the judging process at Tsugaru Shamisen national tournaments, where not all judges actually have shamisen experience. Why is this? Listen and find out!

Mike and I released a satirical video called 'The Bachi' which humorously addresses this interesting phenomenon at tournaments. -  (http://bit.ly/2yFmxZv)

Bachi on the Horn - Taikai Judges - Ft. Gerry McGoldrick! (E07)

After a month filled with workshops and family celebrations, our good friend and colleague Eien Hunter-Ishikawa visited Bachido headquarters! It's been 1.5 years since his last visit, and was a real pleasure to hang out, sample fine beverages and as always, engage in long conversations about our careers in the wagakki world. 

While Eien was in town, we brought him on as a guest for Bachi on the Horn! This three-part episode includes discussions and insights on teaching methods, as well as marveling about how broad and yet interwoven the hougaku (Traditional Japanese Music) world is.

Bachi on the Horn - Eien Hunter-Ishikawa P1 (E08)

Part Two of our conversation with Eien Hunter-Ishikawa! - www.eienhunterishikawa.com

Check out Part Three at Eien's blog! - https://www.eienhunterishikawa.com/blog-archive/

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After a month filled with workshops and family celebrations, our good friend and colleague Eien Hunter-Ishikawa visited Bachido headquarters! It's been 1.5 years since his last visit, and was a real pleasure to hang out, sample fine beverages and as always, engage in long conversations about our careers in the wagakki world. 

While Eien was in town, we brought him on as a guest for Bachi on the Horn! This three-part episode includes discussions and insights on teaching methods, as well as marveling about how broad and yet interwoven the hougaku (Traditional Japanese Music) world is.

Bachi on the Horn - Eien Hunter-Ishikawa P2 (E09)

Today, we're talking about shamisen tournaments with my special guest, Grant 'Shamisensation' Reimer! Grant and I met in 2006 through Kevin Kmetz when we both started learning tsugaru shamisen. Both shamisen novices, we motivated each other to keep practicing while sharing exciting adventures in the pre-Bachido shamisen oasis that was Santa Cruz, California!

In this episode, Grant shares his experience of his very first shamisen tournament in Japan, which was also his first trip out of the US! 

Check out Grant's picture-filled blog about his 2009 trip to the Tsugaru Shamisen Taikai in Hirosaki! 
http://digitalmagician.blogspot.se/2009/?m=0

Bachi on the Horn - Talkin' Taikai with the Shamisensation(E11)

The Shamisen Podcast brings insightful discussion about the Japanese Shamisen, led by leading high-level Shamisen players and instructors.

The Shamisen Podcast

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