Instruments, Culture

The following instruments are used in gagaku, which is Japanese imperial court music. It is considered part of Japanese Classical music. It uses the pentatonic scale which contains only five notes. The particular pentatonic scale used is the yo scale. This scale has ascending intervals of two, three, two, two, and three semitones between the five scale tones. Instruments - Gagaku

Ryuteki The ryuteki is a transverse flute (side blown). It is one of three flutes used in gagaku and is used to represent dragons. It is made from bamboo and has 7 holes. To play more than 7 notes, the musician can use a technique called “half-holing” where the hole is only partially covered by the finger. Ryuteki Improvisation How would you describe the tone colour of this instrument?

Hichiriki  Hichiriki Hichiriki  Hichiriki Beatles Hichiriki Beatles  The Hichiriki is a double reed wind instrument. It is a widely played Gagaku instrument and takes the role of providing melody, just like the ryuteki.  It has a very distinct tone colour. How would you describe it?

Sho  The Sho (mouth organ) is a Japanese free reed instrument which was introduced from China. A free reed aerophone is a musical instrument that produces sound as air flows past a vibrating reed in a frame. The Sho is tuned by dropping wax into the reeds. The two longest reeds do not produce sound and are there for aesthetic reasons. What is the tone colour of the sho?  Sho Sho

Biwa  The biwa is a Japanese short-necked fretted lute, often used in narrative storytelling. It is played using a plectrum (pick). There are different variations of the biwa, with different numbers of frets and strings.  Biwa Biwa  How would you describe the tone colour of the biwa? What is its function in the link above?

Taiko  In Japan Taiko means any kind of drum, but outside of Japan the term is used to describe Japanese drums called “wadaiko.” Sticks, called “bachi”, are used to strike the head of the instrument. Taiko vary in size, therefore they vary in pitches of high and low. Taiko ensembles can have different numbers of players.  How would you describe the tone colour of the taiko in the video?  Taiko Taiko

Kakko  The Kakko is a double headed drum which is played by being struck by bachi. It can be used in taiko ensembles, but is mainly used for gagaku. List for the tone colour of this instrument. How is it different from taiko?  Kakko Kakko

Gagaku Ensemble

As you research Asian music, you’ll notice that many of the instruments played in different countries are quite the same. Many Japanese instruments were brought over from China and evolved when getting to Japan. Many are the same with only a slight variation and different name. You will also notice that most of the instruments are woodwinds, plucked strings, and percussion. There is only one Japanese instrument that is considered a horn and it is made from a sea shell, not metal. The materials used in Japanese instruments are skins and plant material, such as wood and reeds. Strings can be made from silk or plastic. Intrusments - Other

Shakuhachi  The shakuhachi is an end blow flute, originally made from bamboo. It was used by Buddhist monks and used for meditation. It is tuned to a minor pentatonic scale.  Shakuhachi Shakuhachi  Tone colour? What about techniques?

Koto  The koto is a type of zither and the national instrument of Japan. It is played by plucking the strings using plectrums worn on the finger tips. Notes are bent and given vibrato by pushing down on the string on the other side of the bridges.  Koto Koto  Tone colour? Watch the left hand. What is it doing?

Shamisen The shamisen is a 3 stringed guitar like instrument used to accompany kabuki theatre. It is played using a plectrum, much like the biwa. Shamisen How would you describe the tone colour of this instrument. How is that and the performance style different from the biwa?

Japanese Ensemble