The Pedagogical Process of a Japanese-American Shamisen Teacher

Manes, Sean Ichiro

Published in No. 182, Fall 2009

Abstract

Using a participant-observer design, the researcher initiated a research project that sought to learn the pedagogical process in which a Japanese art music tradition of the shamisen continues to be transmitted through the Japanese-American community. Over a period of one year, the researcher collected data by participating in lessons himself, observing the lessons of other students, and conducting interviews with the teacher. The data was analyzed using ethnographic techniques, and focused on four themes, namely (a) the pedagogy surrounding the strum/pluck patterns of the instrument; (b) the transmission of language, rituals and culture surrounding the instrumental tradition; (c) analysis of the pedagogical techniques as per Schipper's (1996) continua of holistic verses analytical, and orality verses notation; and (d) how the teacher have bridged the East-West cultural gap.