Lesson 1: Japanese Music
Through this lesson, you will discover the
traditional music of Japan through their vocal (folk
songs) and instrumental music. Japanese vocal
music is quite different from the Western vocal
music, and is based on the intervals of human
breathing rather than mathematical timing, and
how Japanese musicians show their spiritual selfmastery in mastering his or her instrument more
than simply perfecting a technique of some sort
and how they give value to their performance and
composure.
Instrumental music of Japan
Traditional Japanese music is basically meditative in
character. Its performance is highly ritualized, as much in the
music itself, as in the composure of the musicians when
performing it. Japanese chamber and solo music have a slow
meditative pace.
The performance of Japanese music has traditionally been
of a spiritual character, similarly to martial arts and other forms of
art such as the tea ceremony and calligraphy. It is usually about
religious festivals, work, dance, love, and regional songs.
Audiences are looking for this self-mastery in musicians.
This is the reason why music has become highly ritualized.
Musicians must show this spiritual self-mastery in their
performance and composure. They work on an inner strength in
mastering his or her instrument, more than simply perfecting a
technique of some sort and providing entertainment
Percussion Instruments
(Membranophone):
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1. Odaiko- (big drum). The physical energy and sheer excitement of an Odaiko
performance is an integral part of many Japanese matsuri (festivals).
2. Tsuzumi (hourglass-shape) – There are two varieties, the smaller kotsuzumi
and the larger otsuzumi. They are used in both noh and kabuki performances.
The kotsuzumi is held on the right shoulder and the player alters the tone by
squeezing the laces. The otsuzumi is placed on the left thigh. Like all other
traditional arts in Japan, there are several schools of tsuzumimatsuri (festivals).
3. Tsuridaiko – a large hanging barrel drum.
4. Taiko - is a Japanese drum that comes in various sizes and is used to play a
variety of musical genres. It has become particularly popular in recent years as
the central instrument of percussion ensembles whose repertory is based on a
variety of folk and festival music of the past.
String Instruments (Chordophone)
• 1. Koto - is a 13-string zither, about two meters long and made of
Paulownia wood. It is plucked using picks on the thumb and first two
fingers of the right hand, while the left hand can be used to modify pitch
and tone. Koto is used in an ensemble in gagaku or as a solo instrument.
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• 2. Shamisen- is a plucked stringed instrument. Its construction follows a
model similar to that of a guitar or a banjo, employing a neck, and strings
stretched across a resonating body. The neck of the shamisen is fretless,
and is slimmer than that of a guitar or a banjo.
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• 3. Biwa - is a Japanese short-necked fretted lute, often used in narrative
storytelling. The biwa is the chosen instrument of Benten, the goddess of
music, eloquence, poetry, and education in Japanese Shinto.
Wind Instruments (Aerophone)
• 1. Shakuhachi- the most famous flute made from bamboo.
It has 4 or 5 finger holes on the front face and a
thumbhole on the rear face. As with other instruments
above, it was imported from China for gagaku.
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• 2. Nokan - a parallel, bamboo flute (fue) is the only melodic
instrument used in noh. The melody of the flute has no
specific pitch relationship with the melody of the chanting.
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• 3. Hichiriki - is a double reed Japanese fue (flute) used as
one of two main melodic instruments in Japanese gagaku
music, the other being the ryūteki.
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• 4. Sho - is a Japanese free reed musical instrument that
was introduced from China during the Nara period.
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• 5. Shinobue – also called takebue in the context of
Japanese traditional arts) is a Japanese transverse flute
or fue that has a high-pitched sound.
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• 6. Ryūteki - literally "dragon flute" is a Japanese
transverse fue made of bamboo. It is used in gagaku.