As one of the few experienced Shamisen professionals in the US, Kyle brings his 20 years of shamisen experience to the world.
From wedding anniversaries and corporate events to full concerts and festivals, Kyle performs powerful traditional Japanese classics from Northern Japan in a style called Tsugaru Shamisen. He also leads educational workshops, builds professional quality shamisen, and produces shamisen albums.
Founder of the Bachido (International Shamisen Community), Kyle pioneered the strong movement to connect shamisen enthusiasts in a positive global community and develops teaching materials for everyone to learn shamisen.
Since the age of 13, Kyle Abbott has passionately dedicated himself to the Japanese shamisen. From learning how to play and build the instrument, all the way to becoming a professional performer and teacher of the shamisen. With his performance and international workshops, Kyle seeks to inspire the world with the Japanese shamisen.
In 2011, Kyle founded Bachido – the world’s first international shamisen community. With a goal to bring shamisen enthusiasts together, Kyle has created online lessons, resources and a community. As of now, over 4000 members of Bachido have enjoyed hours of educational content and shared ideas with each other in the rich community forum.
Kyle has recorded in and produced two ‘Monsters of Shamisen’ albums (‘Stellar’ and ‘Resonance’), a duet album with Japanese singer-songwriter Yuzu Natsumi, and also recorded and produced his own solo albums, ‘The Cuckoo’ and ‘Frosty’, with five more solo albums in production since 2020. He has collaborated with over 40 musical artists, and loves to integrate the energy of shamisen with artists from all genres. As well as shamisen, Kyle also plays shakuhachi, mandolin, banjo, guitar, bass, and other stringed instruments. He practices Tuvan throat singing styles as well.
Sensing the worldwide interest in shamisen growing, Kyle realized there would be a need to connect shamisen enthusiasts together and create an accessible path to learning this instrument. In 2011, he founded Bachido – the world’s first international shamisen community.
With a goal to bring shamisen enthusiasts together, Kyle and fellow instructors have created hours of online lessons, (including a Free Crash Course), resources and a community. As of now, over 4000 members of Bachido have enjoyed hours of educational content, shared ideas with each other in the positive-spirited forum, and reaching towards Kyle’s ultimate goal – meeting up to play shamisen together as a real-life community!
Every year since the founding of Bachido, Kyle strives to make new and creative ways to continue making shamisen fun and exciting for people. The community has grown bigger than he ever expected.
Brought Bachido members together to compete in Japan (Team Bachido)
Hosted ShamiCamp in Tokyo
Released brand new model of Shamisen (Akatsuki)
Began ‘Shamisen Live!’ instructional live streams
Started building 6th homemade Shamisen
Hosted Tataki (shamisen & taiko workshop) in California
Released brand new synthetic skin (Hibiki)
Started building 8th homemade Shamisen
Released duet album with Yuzu Natsumi
Hosted ShamiCamp in Sapporo
Released brand new shamisen model (Raven)
Hosted BachiCamp in Seattle and St. Louis
Competed at Hirosaki Tsugaru Shamisen Tournament
(Won Special Judges Award in Top A Class)
Co-Hosted Zoom Shamisen Classes with Su Bunjamin (during lockdowns)
Built 100 entry-level shamisen for newcomers (ShamiBuddy)
Began co-producing and recording five new solo albums with Joel Mankey
Released two brand new shamisen model (Rose & Heirloom)
Built 50 more ShamiBuddy, (all sold within 27 hours of initial release)
Hosted online Shamisen Tournament (Bachido Cup) with Masahiro Nitta
Built and released final 50 ShamiBuddy
Started information shamisen series on YouTube
A grand musical adventure of Shamisen World Fusion. “Waves of Harmony” unites the unparalleled talents of dozens of virtuoso musicians, creating a symphony of breathtaking melodies and harmonious collaborations. I invite you to join us in bringing this music to life while not only sharing our passion for the beautiful art of shamisen, but celebrating the incredible collaborative magic that only comes from the connection of generous, down-to-earth souls!
My deepest appreciation to the generous supporters who’ve donated the Waves of Harmony GoFundMe campaign!
John B. ($50)
Dianne P. ($20)
Eileen H. ($50)
Cora M. ($10)
James H. ($50)
Masahiro K. ($50)
Vianney S. ($50)
David S-W. ($75)
Jonathan R. ($50)
Christian R. ($50)
Bruce D. ($20)
Team Bachido
Hirosaki National Tsugaru Shamisen Tournament
Team Bachido
Solo Competition
JapanFest Atlanta
with Su Bunjamin
Anime Matsuri in Houston
with Su Bunjamin
Santa Cruz Japanese Cultural Fair
Anime Matsuri in Houston
20th Anniversary of JOI (Chattanooga)
w/ Mike Penny (Performance Video)
San Francisco Japantown
Nihonmachi Street Fair
San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival
Virtual Session on Zoom
Japantown Immersive
Public Shamisen Workshops
San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival
Main stage with Joel Mankey and Arthur Mok
One of Kyle’s main goals is helping people discover just how fun the shamisen is. Kyle leads a local group shamisen class in California, and has led many shamisen workshops in the US.
In 2015, Kyle founded ShamiCamp, the world’s first international shamisen workshop series which brings together top shamisen instructors to share their skills and inspire shamisen enthusiasts from around the world.
Kyle teaches private lessons, group lessons/workshops, and on Skype.