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Mapping Randy Rhoads to the Shamisen

Metadata

title
Mapping Randy Rhoads to the Shamisen
description
What is your main (or favorite) instrument? Consider it, then take a step back. For example, I love guitar. But what is guitar but a stringed instrument like a lyre or a lute or a shamisen? When you think of it that way, there's a world out there to learn, then apply to your instrument. Never stop learning, even if you can shred like Randy!
status
complete
date
2026-07-28
kind
solo
guestSlugs
listenUrl
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/Mapping-Randy-Rhoads-to-the-Shamisen-e3mj7ob
spotifyUrl
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1UdBPd0coCsygNKaPvqKW8
appleUrl
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mapping-randy-rhoads-to-the-shamisen/id1567355195?i=1000778660420&uo=4
topicsDiscussed
  • Guitar
  • Japan
  • Bass
  • Jazz
  • Touring
  • Shamisen and koto mapped back to guitar
  • Randy Rhoads taking lessons on the road
  • Primary instrument vs borrowed colors
hostNote
Guitar is a stringed instrument, like a lyre, a lute, or a **shamisen**. I took a shamisen lesson in Japan after reading **Randy Rhoads** taking guitar lessons on the road: never stop learning, even if you can shred. The bachi attack, the three-string layout, the koto sitting next to it in a geisha-trio picture: all of that can come back onto the guitar. Some players dabble with no primary instrument. I think that can be dangerous. Grow a dominant hand, then steal colors from the unfamiliar one.
selectedMoments
  • label
    The essence of musical growth
    startSec
    91
    note
    I emphasize the act of creating music and the importance of returning to one's primary instrument.
  • label
    Randy Rhoads as an inspiration
    startSec
    137
    note
    I discuss Randy Rhoads' approach to guitar and his commitment to continual learning.
  • label
    Exploring the shamisen
    startSec
    225
    note
    Describing my experience in Japan and how the shamisen differs yet relates to the guitar.
  • label
    Impact of playing different instruments
    startSec
    319
    note
    Explaining how skills from the shamisen can transform my guitar playing.
  • label
    Musical insights from a shamisen lesson
    startSec
    407
    note
    Sharing a conversation with my teacher about the differences between the shamisen and the koto.
  • label
    Composing through different lenses
    startSec
    541
    note
    I reflect on how merging familiar and new techniques can inspire creativity.
excerptQuotes
  • text
    What is your primary or what is your dominant instrument? Just like a right hand, left hand kind of situation.
    startSec
    58
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    There are some musicians that don't have a primary instrument. They kind of dabble. And I actually think that can be very dangerous.
    startSec
    89
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    One of the things that stuck with me most about his guitar world... was that he loved to go on the road and take guitar lessons.
    startSec
    134
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    The shamisen, literally three strings is very different than the guitar but fundamentally is kind of laid out in a similar way.
    startSec
    272
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    That is what you picture kind of like a geisha trio, they're playing shamisen, they're playing koto, they're playing together.
    startSec
    405
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    When I was doing that shamisen lesson, the woman that was teaching me also played koto, which is a large horizontal stringed instrument.
    startSec
    363
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    How can you attack the sense of emotion that you're trying to bring through both the thing that you're most familiar with and something that you're unfamiliar with?
    startSec
    452
    reviewed
    true
faq
  • question
    What is the connection between Randy Rhoads and shamisen?
    answer
    My discussion highlights how Randy Rhoads' dedication to mastering his instrument compels me to explore the shamisen, enhancing my musicality.
  • question
    How can learning new instruments improve my music?
    answer
    Learning different instruments helps to apply new techniques and perspectives, enriching your primary instrument's expression.
  • question
    What insights did I gain from my shamisen lessons?
    answer
    The lessons taught me about the unique qualities of stringed instruments and how to apply those insights to my guitar playing.
transcriptPublished
false
draft
false

Content

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