Shamisen is a traditional Japanese guitar/banjo and the Taiko drums are well... Drums from Japan. Anyone hear of lessons for these instruments around town?

You know when I first saw the title I thought you wanted to learn some kind of exotic martial art lessons.

no I never heard of lessons in bkk, but please if you know some, please post here some info, I can be interested. I will do the same. By the way, I heard that a traditional shamisen (thai woods, cat skin, silk strings) it may costs a lot (300000 baht and up for a decent quality instrument, not even one of the best).

OK so maybe not taiko (and no shamisen) but come along to khaosan, outside police station, every sunday night (9pm onwards) - you can listen to Kenji's djembe drum group (with Luis and Eddie) playing hot African rhythms. Drum classes held every Friday 7.30-9.00pm at rumPUREE (Amarin Plaza, Chidlom).

Bring your taiko to the drum circle or Kenji can probably give you private lessons. Maybe he can help you find a shamisen teacher too.

The website is www.rumpuree.com. They also do salsa and world dance.