The new wave of Shamisen music: From the Yoshida brothers to contemporary trends

In recent years, the music of the shamisen—a traditional Japanese instrument—has been revitalized by a younger generation.
Artists like the Yoshida Brothers are breathing new life into this classic instrument.
What’s especially interesting is that many of these new compositions seem to be converging on certain stylistic tendencies.
In this article, we will explore these trends and their implications.

◇Loop Music-Inspired Structure
A lot of contemporary shamisen music adopts a structure reminiscent of loop music.
Loop music involves the repetition of short phrases or musical patterns.
This technique is being incorporated in a way that evolves the phrase every four measures.

◇Frequent Use of Polyrhythm
Polyrhythm refers to the simultaneous playing of multiple different rhythms.
This technique adds dynamism and complexity to the entire composition.
Artists like the Yoshida Brothers often make extensive use of polyrhythm, adding new rhythmic layers to shamisen music.

◇Pentatonic Scales
Even in shamisen music, pentatonic scales commonly used in pop music are being adopted.
This is a five-note scale that has a more universal resonance rather than being tied to any specific cultural musical elements.

◇Influence of Rock
All of these elements contribute to a tendency for the pieces to be rock-like in their musical styles.
This is likely because younger generations are more easily influenced by a variety of music styles like rock, pop, and jazz, due to their greater exposure to these genres.

◇In Conclusion
As the shamisen carves out new musical horizons, those interested might consider starting from the basics at Shamisen Lessons.
This is your chance to participate in this intriguing landscape crafted by the new generation of shamisen players.