Music of Japan PDF

MUSIC OF JAPAN JAPAN island nation in East Asia. The - Also called Nihon of Nippon. Is an Characteristic make up Japan’s name mean “sun-origin”, which is why Japan is sometimes referred to as the “land of the Rising Sun”, Japan is an arch...

MUSIC OF JAPAN JAPAN island nation in East Asia. The - Also called Nihon of Nippon. Is an Characteristic make up Japan’s name mean “sun-origin”, which is why Japan is sometimes referred to as the “land of the Rising Sun”, Japan is an archipelago of 6,852 islands. Tokyo is its Capital and is the largest metropolitan area in the world.  Characteristic of Japanese Music a. Spare rhythm b. No regular beat c. Uses no chords d. Music flows in an attempt to mirror the behavior of nature e. Starts in an extremely slow pace and picks up speed as it progresses  The ONGAKU – ON word MEANING “SOUND” for music in GAKU – MEANING Japane “MUSIC” se is  Traditional Japanese music has three main Instrumental types: Theatrical Court Music  Categories of Kabuki music 1. Gidayubushi- Similar to joruri music 2. Joruri- type of narrative music that uses the shamisen 3. Shimoza ongaku- music played for kuromisu (lower seat) below the theater stage Noh Music Another form of theatrical music is called the Noh Theatre. The Hayashi kata plays, Noh music. No is derived from the Sino-Japanese word for “skill” or “talent”. It is a major form of classical Japanese musical drama. Gagaku The oldest Japanese traditional music is called gagaku which is a form of court music. Gagaku includes dances, song, and blend of other genres of Asian music.  Two styles of gagaku 1. Kigaku – 2. Seigaku – instrumental vocal music music Shomyo – is a Japanese vocal ritual music usually sung by Buddhist monks where in breath-control and breath-expression are practiced Categories of Minyo 1. Work songs 2. Religious songs 3. Songs used for gathering such as weddings, funerals and festivals. 4. Children’s song Minyo – are typically accompanied by the three stringed lute, taiko drums, and bamboo flute Enka – The Japanese equivalent to American country and western music is commonly sung at karaoke bars. Japanese Traditional Instruments 1. Biwa - A short-necked lute used to accompany 2. Taiko – drum in various sizes that is used to play a variety of musical genres. 3. Shakuhachi - Flute made from the root end of a bamboo culm. The five- finger holes are tuned to a pentatonic scale. 4. Yokobue- Japanese transverse flute 5. Tsuzumi- Japanese drum with a wooden body shaped like an hourglass. 6. Hichiriki- double reed Japanese flute used as one of two main melodic instruments in Japanese gagaku music. 7. Sho - Free reed instrument modeled on the Chinese sheng, although the sho is smaller in size. 8. Shamisen – Three-stringed musical instrument played with a plectrum called bachi. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!!