Major modifications include the adoption of materials that were easily available in Japan (however, imported materials, or Karaki (wood imported from China), were frequently used even during the Edo period for the Shamisen and Biwa), modifications to generate more delicate tones, and the above-described addition of 'harmonics.'
材料が日本国内で入手しやすいものに変えられていった点(ただし三味線や琵琶では江戸時代でも輸入材である唐木が使われたことが少なくない)と、より繊細な音色が出せるような改良、また前述の「倍音」の追加が主な変化である。