Stringed Instruments

• New PLAYTECH flat mandolins now in stock!

  

  2020/08/31

  ■PLAYTECH「PFM10A」
  ■PLAYTECH「PFM10F」
  
  New flat mandolin models are now available from PLAYTECH at shockingly low prices! Two types are available: the A-style flat mandolin (PFM10A) and the F-style flat mandolin (PFM10F). The PFM10A is 5,800 yen (excluding tax) and the PFM10F is 12,800 yen (excluding tax)! We also offer mandolin sets with cases and accessories at great prices. Recommended for those who want to start playing the flat mandolin!

• New Flat Mandolins from PLAYTECH!

  

  2020/08/15

  ■PLAYTECH 「PFM10A」
  ■PLAYTECH 「PFM10F」
  
  New flat mandolin models are now available from PLAYTECH, which delivers shockingly low-priced instruments! Two types are available: the A-style flat mandolin (PFM10A) and the F-style flat mandolin (PFM10F). Recommended for those who want to enjoy the flat mandolin. We also offer great deal sets with cases and accessories!

• Kentucky flat mandolins now available!

  

  2020/06/12

  Kentucky flat mandolins are now available! The brand was named after the hometown of Bill Monroe, known as "the father of bluegrass". Since the brand's founding in the 1970s, it has been preferred by many bluegrass musicians. You can choose from 10 models including A-style mandolins and F-style mandolins. Check out these artistic vintage style mandolins!
  
  ■Kentucky「List of Kentucky flat mandolins」

• D'Addario official direct partnership established

  

  2020/06/05

  Sound House is now an official direct partner with D'Addario, the well-known manufacturer of strings and accessories for guitars, basses and other musical instruments. D'Addario is known for introducing the industry's first automatic string winding machine, and for developing round wound strings and acoustic guitar strings using 80/20 bronze material. Over the years, the classic XL NICKEL series has become a global standard favored by guitarists and bassists around the world. In 2014, D'Addario announced the new NYXL series of electric guitar strings, which uses a new material, and in 2019 they released the XT series, which greatly improved pitch stability and string durability. Despite having been established in Italy about 400 years ago, even today, D'Addario is still a leading string manufacturer that keeps growing as a result of their constant search for innovation.
  
  ■D'Addario

• Flat mandolin beginner set now available!

  

  2020/05/26

  We have prepared a set that is recommended for those who are considering taking up the flat mandolin! The set includes a flat mandolin, hard case, strap, clip tuner, and three picks. This set is a great value that will allow you to enjoy playing the mandolin as soon as it arrives. Wouldn't you like to take up the flat mandolin, an instrument that you can easily enjoy playing?
  
  Flat mandolin beginner set
  ■PLAYTECH 「SA100 VS」
  
  In addition to the set, we also offer a wealth of related products such as the mandolins, cases, strings, picks, and straps! Please also visit the Mandolin category page.
  
  Mandolin Category

• Professional review of handmade violin kit!

  

  2020/03/06

  ■SUZUKI (Suzuki Musical Instruments) SVG544 Handmade violin kit
  ■SUZUKI Handmade Musical Instrument Kit List
  
  Violinist Nozomi Fujiwara has released a video review of the assembly and performance of the SUZUKI/SVG544. An assembly kit in the surprisingly low 9,000 yen range that also allows you to perform a full-scale performance! She plays works like Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto which require transcendental techniques. Why not try making a violin while having fun with your children? It is also recommended as a practice instrument for those who play violin in earnest!!
  
  ■ Nozomi Fujiwara's profile
  At the age of 11, she performed with domestic and foreign orchestras, including the Krakow Symphony Orchestra. She has won awards including 2nd place in the Japan Classic Music Competition and 1st place in the All Japan Student Music Competition Fukuoka. After graduating from Toho Gakuen Graduate School and studying in Amsterdam where she also gained experience playing in an orchestra, she began performing in Japan in 2014. She also teaches a violin class, judges contests and is an online instructor in the Tokyo, Nagoya and Kanazawa areas. At present, she is holding a violin class in Kanazawa, and offers online lessons between performances.
  Official page

• "High School Guitar and Mandolin Music Competition" special event being held!

  

  2020/02/03

  The "High School Guitar and Mandolin Music Competition" is a national tournament for high school students who play guitar and mandolin music in club activities. Only schools that have survived district competitions or recording contests are eligible to participate, and performances are high-level. This competition, which has been contributing to the development of guitar and mandolin music in Japan, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. To commemorate this milestone, they are currently recruiting essays to be memorialized as a special project. Why don't you write about your memories and apply?
  
  Qualification: Those who have participated in the "High School Guitar and Mandolin Music Competition" or "High School Guitar and Mandolin Festival", the old name of the competition.
  Deadline: 2020/2/29 (postmarked by the date)
  
  The application guidelines for the memorial essays
  
  2020 High School Guitar and Mandolin Music Competition
  Date：2020/7/30, 31 (Times are still undecided.)
  Venue：Izumisano Civic Hall
  
  Details of the competition

• Ghibli masterpiece

  

  2020/01/16

  Studio Ghibli announced the release of a live-action version of the 1995 animated movie "Whisper of the Heart". The story is based on the original story of the 1995 animated movie, but takes place 10 years later adding some new twists to the plot. The movie will be released nationwide on September 18. The two stars of the movie are Seino Nana, who will play the role of Shizuku Tsukishima, and Tori Matsuzaka, who will play the role of Seiji Amasawa. Other characters, including Shizuku and Seiji from their school days, will be announced at a later date.
  
  Seiji Amasawa was aiming to become a violin craftsman in the movie. The SUZUKI / SVG544 violin assembly kit is available at Sound House. With this, you could be Ghibli's Seiji Amasawa ...
  
  ■SUZUKI "SVG544"

• Japan Super Youth Mandolin Orchestra (JSYMO) 2020 to be held!

  

  2020/01/10

  The application guidelines for the Japan Super Youth Mandolin Orchestra (JSYMO) 2020, a project to nurture young mandolin players, have been announced. This is a seminar-type project in which participants take lessons from professional players and hold a concert on the last day. JSYMO has an age restriction of 30 years or younger, but this year, the Mandolin Music Camp (MMC), which has no age limit, will be held for the first time. Both will be held in Shizuoka. There is a maximum capacity, so if you are interested, act quickly!
  
  Japan Super Youth Mandolin Orchestra (JSYMO)
  will be held August 20-23, 2020
  
  Mandolin Music Camp (MMC)
  will be held July 11-12, 2020
  
  JSYMO 2019 was reported in the staff blogs below.
  https://www.soundhouse.co.jp/contents/staff-blog/index?post=923
  https://www.soundhouse.co.jp/contents/staff-blog/index?post=924
  

• Popular mandolin cases now available!

  

  2019/12/27

  ■SUPER LIGHT「Mandolin cases」
  ■ARANJUEZ CASE「Mandolin cases」
  
  Two brands of cases for classic mandolins are now available. SUPER LIGHT, as the name suggests, produces super lightweight mandolin cases, as well as cases for both the mandola and the mandoloncello. Mandolin cases from ARANJUEZ CASE are attractive for their compact shape and variety of available colors and materials, and they also produce cases for the mandola. Both are popular brands amongst mandolin players.