Japanese Music

What do We Know?

• What do all musical instruments have in common?– Think about:• How they make sound• How and with what they are made• How they are played

–Do Instruments from other cultures look and sound like the ones we know?

Listening Sample One

• What instrument(s) do you know that sound similar to this one?

• Some examples are:– Flute–Oboe– Clarinet– Recorder

• What produces this instrument’s sound?

Listening Sample Two

• What instrument(s) do you know that sound like this one?

• Some examples are:–Harp–Dulcimer– Lap guitar

• What produces this instrument’s sound?

Listening Sample Three

• What instrument(s) do you know that sound like this one?

• Some examples are:– Banjo– Guitar– Violin (other orchestral strings)–Mandolin

• What produces this instrument’s sound?

Koto• A string instrument that has a long

rectangular shape

• See how the Koto is played.

• How is it different than a harp?

Shakuhachi• A vertical flute made of

bamboo

• See how the Shakuhachi is played

• How is it different than a conventional flute?

Shamisen• A 3-string banjo-like instrument• See how the Shamisen is played• How is it different than a banjo?

What We Know Now

• Music is UNIVERSAL• All instruments have two things in

common:– 1. Produce sound through vibration– 2. Vibration is initiated by a person

• Names and Style of Japanese Instruments– Shakuhachi– Koto– Shamisen