Lecture 10: Music of India (cont.)
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Transcript Lecture 10: Music of India (cont.)
Chapter 5:
Music of Japan
Introduction to World Music; SMSU
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Japan
Culture old and new, Eastern and Western
Outside cultural influences include writing
system from China; Buddhism from India
through Korea and China
Musical elements connections with Korea
and China; European and American
influences in 19th and 20th centuries, but
Japan, somewhat isolated in the past, has
developed many of its own music traditions 2
Although more involvement with new
music in past 100 years, traditional music
remains viable
Kabuki and bunraku theaters in larger cities
Concerts of traditional instrumental and
vocal music
Private and televised instruction in
shakuhachi and shamisen
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Haiku
Traditional Japanese poetry; today, a 17syllable verse form consisting of three
metrical units of 5, 7, and 5 syllables.
Words contain a sentiment, idea, or
emotion, often only describing around the
concept.
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Haiku Examples
Basho, Matsuo
Fallen sick on a journey,
In dreams I run wildly
Over a withered moor
Kato, Shusan
I kill an ant and realize
My three children
Have been watching
Ryusui
In all this cool
Is the moon also sleeping:
There, in the pool?
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Music in Japan
Musical elements from Korea and China;
European and American influences from
19th century to present
In art music, appreciation for unpitched
sounds, flexibility of pulse; tempo often
accelerates to show excitement in theater
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Japanese Traditional Music
Use of pentatonic scales (In and Yo) Compare to
pentatonic from earlier in the course
Timbre: use of unpitched sounds
Melody: use of ornamentation and a nasal, somewhat
“pinched” sound
Harmony: not a feature of this music
Rhythm: flexibility of pulse in many pieces
Form: mostly based on jo-ha-kyu
– Jo: slow introduction
– Ha: building tempo
– Kyu: rushing tempo, then slowing at end
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Example of Shakuhachi Music
CD IV:1: “Tsuru no sugomori” or “Nesting
Cranes”
Performed in the kabuki theater
accompanied by shamisen
Ma - space or interval - the timing of a
piece including rests and relationship
between sound and silence.
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Kouta
Song form that evokes many images and
allusions in a short time; dates from midnineteenth century
Women played key role in teaching this
music to generations of male performers
Shamisen and Voice
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Iemoto Guilds
Several different guilds may be involved
with a single type of music
Player must decide which style he or she
wants to learn; become affiliated with the
guild that follows that style
Guilds also control quality; new
composition in many genres was
discouraged or even forbidden
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Example
CD IV:2: “Hakusen no” (“A White Fan”)
Image of a white fan and the beauty of
nature are used as metaphors for romantic
commitment
For wedding banquets or private parties
Geisha still trained to entertain at such
occasions, but fewer than in the past
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Minyo (Folk Song)
Accompanied everyday activities; not as
relevant as they used to be, but still very
popular; has become more professional and
standardized
“Nikata-bushi” (CD IV:3) from the region
of Akita in northwestern Japan
Instrument (shamisen) plays nearly steady
pulse while voice has a flexible rhythm
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Matsuri-bayashi
Yatai (The Festival Wagon) IV:4
Shirabe, Ödaiko, and Flute
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Popular Music
Much Western influence; Karaoke has
become popular around the world; an outlet
for stress
Enka composers have adapted songs to the
tastes of younger generation; background
accompaniment; “Upbeat” with faster
tempos and optimistic lyrics
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Examples of Enka
CD IV:5 “Nonki-bushi”
CD IV:6 “Naite Nagasaki” (“Crying
Nagasaki”)
Typical of old-fashioned enka
Images evoked are common to many enka
songs: romantic associations, crying in the
windy night, rain; sad mood
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Taiko Groups
Kodo:
– http://www.kodo.or.jp/frame.html
San Jose Taiko:
– http://www.taiko.org/main.html
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Summary
Most Japanese music we’ve studied is
traditional, but there are also many pop
genres.
Traditional Characteristics in rhythm,
melody, timbre and form - ?
Highly influenced by Chinese music, and
more recently by European and American
models.
“Classical” and “Folk” traditions are kept
alive by a few.
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