PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
How often these kids rehearse, and how their efforts are appreciated.		  
           
           
        Sitting In on a Lesson
        There are no textbooks for the tsugaru shamisen. So how does Mr. Yamada teach his students? Let's visit one of his practices to find out.

He teaches at Yamauta, the two-story building in front of Hirosaki Station. The lessons are held on the first floor, while the club for tsugaru shamisen performances is on the second floor.

Lessons start at three in the afternoon every Saturday. Around 15 students commute each week not only from Aomori but from other prefectures as well. The students are of all ages, including both children and the elderly. Some are here just to enjoy playing as a hobby, while others are seriously considering becoming professionals.

 
       
 
        On this particular day 16-year-old Takuma Yokouchi and 59-year-old Ikuo Ozawa are rehearsing. They pick away at the instrument with ease but also with a great deal of concentration. Takuma is a tenth grader who lives in the neighboring town of Hirosaki and began studying tsugaru shamisen in October last year. Mr. Ozawa has been coming to Yamauta since last August after retiring as a civil servant.

Soon Mr. Yamada arrives. The two students take seats facing their teacher, and the lesson begins. "Let's start!" Mr. Yamada says, and on cue he and Mr. Ozawa begin to play together. The lesson today is about keeping the proper beat. Because there's no written score, all students learn by listening carefully to their teacher and imitating the way he uses his fingers and pick. After a while, Mr. Yamada tells Takuma to join in, and the three play together.

 
         
 
          Turning now to Takuma, Mr. Yamada makes him repeat a short passage over and over until he can play it right. From time to time Mr. Yamada will give advice, like "Beat down on the string and then pluck it" and "Play that part a little faster!" When Takuma gets it right, they move on. There's no time to rest. The booming sound of three shamisen fills the small room, with Mr. Yamada shouting instructions from time to time. The two students are fully focused on their instruments and are almost completely silent throughout the lesson.

After around 40 minutes, the lesson ends. Mr. Yamada tells Takuma to practice harder and memorize the piece so he doesn't have to think about what he's going to play next. Mr. Yamada also gives the boy a pat on the back. "Mr. Yamada is straightforward about what he wants you to do," Takuma said after the lesson with a broad smile, "but everything is easy to understand, so I feel I'm improving all the time."

 
   

Photos (from top left): Kazuo Shibutani, who has won the national shamisen contest three times running; Young and old practise the tsugaru shamisen together; Some students travel to Aomori from other prefectures for their weekly practice.