As one of the few experienced Shamisen professionals in the US, Kyle brings his 15+ 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 and private lessons.
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.
About Kyle Abbott
Since the age of 14, 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 1600 members of Bachido have enjoyed hours of educational content and shared ideas with each other in the rich community forum.
Kyle also 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’. As well as shamisen, Kyle also plays shakuhachi, mandolin, banjo, guitar, bass, and other stringed instruments. He practices Tuvan throat singing styles as well.
About Bachido
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 1700 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. It has gone farther than he ever expected.
Highlights of Bachido
Public LIVE shamisen lessons (In development)
(2017)
Hosted ShamiCamp in Tokyo
Released brand new model of Shamisen (Akatsuki)
Began ‘Shamisen Live!’ instructional live streams
Started building 6th homemade Shamisen
(2018)
Hosted Tataki (shamisen & taiko workshop) in California
Released brand new synthetic skin (Hibiki)
Started building 8th homemade Shamisen
Released duet album with Yuzu Natsumi
(2019)
Hosted ShamiCamp in Sapporo
Released brand new shamisen model (Raven)
Competed at Hirosaki Tsugaru Shamisen Tournament
(Won Special Judges Award in Top A Class)
Performances
USA/Canada
2019
Japantown Immersive
Public Shamisen Workshops
San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival
Main stage with Joel Mankey and Arthur Mok
2018
w/ Mike Penny
Japantown Immersive
Portland Japanese Gardens
Obon performance with Takohachi
Yerba Buena
w/ Maikaze Taiko
World Percussion Festival
Hosted by Bruce Mui Ghent in SF
Tataki
Inaugural Shamisen & Taiko Workshop
Regional Taiko Gathering
Taught shamisen workshop
Lunar New Year Celebration
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
Produced by Ronin Taiko
With Ensohza
With Masahiro Nitta, Murasaki Ensemble)
International
Japan
Top A class division, received Judge’s Special Award
Yuzu Natsumi & Kyle Abbott Duet Concert
at Shibuya Rott
World Drum & Dance Festival
w/ Tansen Shrivastava, Matej Kolenic, and others
ShamiCamp: Sapporo (2019)
ShamiCamp: Tokyo (2015 & 2017)
Solo Competition 2010
Berlin
With Monsters of Shamisen, Shamisen Berlin e.V and Hibiki Ichikawa
Collaborations
Teaching
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.
Get in Touch
Performance/lesson inquiries and general questions welcome!
