Republic of the Philippines
MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education Training Department
General Santos City
Grade 8
Music
Quarter 2 –
East Asian Music
(Japanese Music)
PRE- ASSESSMENT
Directions: From the pictures of costumes, folk symbols, artworks, scenery and other
aspects of culture of the East Asian countries (Japan, China and Korea), identify the
origin of the objects. Write your answers on the spaces provided at the left side of each
picture.
1. 2.
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9. 10.
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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 self-mastery 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):
Odaiko- (big drum). The physical energy and sheer
excitement of an Odaiko performance is an integral part of
many Japanese matsuri (festivals).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkeqlQeyqK0
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).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDq2y2Jq9PA&feature=related
Tsuridaiko – a large hanging barrel drum
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.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zSa6Z
z2Zrs&feature=related
String Instruments (Chordophone)
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.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L24Nb4CJzV4&feature=rel
ated
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.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5rs7pfZuPs
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)
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.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7s-wXZWT5o&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE8WTIB4kP0
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.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nOATkFsBOQ&f
eature=related
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.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYdCt9XbA8w
Sho - is a Japanese free reed musical instrument that
was introduced from China during the Nara period.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYdCt9XbA8w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUpr1F1dZt0&feature=rel
ated
Shinobue – also
called takebue in the context of Japanese
traditional arts) is a Japanese transverse flute
or fue that has a high-pitched sound.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57jwbZbQDpU
6. Ryūteki - literally "dragon flute" is a
Japanese transverse fue made of
bamboo. It is used in gagaku.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7lQb4Nx3Sg
Lesson 1: Vocal Music of East Asia
The main tone of Japanese music has two modes: The Yo-sen
and the In-sen. Both consist of five primary tones based on a scale
with seven tones. The two remaining tones are considered as
auxiliary tones. The ancient melody of Japanese music is commonly
based on these modes. However, one melody is not always in one
mode alone. The melody of Japanese music is commonly shifts on
both modes. They often give emphasis on the second or fourth tone
of the mode.
Yosen mode
Insen mode
Sakura - Cherry Blossoms is a
traditional Japanese folk song depicting
spring, the season of cherry blossoms. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKTRnO7SV68
Sakura
Sakura sakura
yayoi no sorawa
mi-watasukagiri
kasumika kumoka
nioizo izuru izaya
zaya mini yukan
Cherry
Blossoms
Cherry blossoms,
cherry
blossoms,
Across the Spring
sky,
As far as you can
see.
Is it a mist, or
clouds?
Fragrant in the air.
Come now, come,
Let’s look, at last
Activity 1
Answer the following questions:
What is the message and function of the song?
______________________________________________________________________
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Describe how the musical elements reflect Japanese culture.
MUSICAL ELEMENTS
TIMBRE
DYNAMICS
RHYTHM
MELODY
FORM
3. Based upon your answers, what can you conclude from the musical elements in
the song in relation to the characteristics of Japanese music?
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___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
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WHAT TO TRANSFER
Group Performance
In this activity, you will improvise and perform a musical composition with simple
rhythmic patterns and melody using improvised musical instruments/ instruments that
are similar to the sound of instruments of Japan. This activity will develop your musical
awareness and appreciation of East Asian Music.
Requirements:
Improvised musical instrument or any instrument that is similar to the sound of
the instruments of Japan. Examples are Bongos (taiko), bamboo flute (shinobue)
guitar-played by plucking only ( shamisen).
Create four groups. Have each group use their instruments to produce sounds depicting
the music of Japan while singing their folk song.
CRITERIA FOR JUDGING
Choice of Instruments 15%
Originality 40%
Presentation 30%
Mastery 15%
TOTAL 100%
