8/2/2023 0 Comments Japanese stringed instrumentsIn Japan, most of the wind instruments are transverse. The sounds have unstable pitches and include “noises” (unpitched sounds), both of which add a complex harmony to the music.įue in Japanese refers to wind instruments, especially reedless transverse flutes. Bamboo is abundant in Japan, so naturally, bamboo is the obvious choice for making wind instruments, because there is no need to hollow it out.Ĭompared to Western musical instruments, Japanese traditional musical instruments have been simple in terms of structure and sound-producing mechanisms. Japanese traditional musical instruments are, as is true around the world, made from what is available in the area. It was common for teachers to tell students what to learn next, and even if they wanted to learn a specific piece of music, they could not do so until the instructor said okay. In the past, there was not yet any universal musical notation (for example, a s hakuhachi player could not read a k oto score), so written music was just an aid. Students were expected to learn by carefully observing and intuitively feeling how and what their teachers play, and rote learning was the key for mastering a musical instrument. Japan is a country that respects and nourishes its culture and traditions, so, understandably, these instruments are still appreciated and enjoyed today.In Japan, music has been passed down basically through oral instruction from masters to their followers. I hope you’ve enjoyed my list of my favorite Japanese string instruments… Final Thoughts On Japanese String Instruments Even though this instrument is traditional, it is occasionally used for modern music and even outside of Japan. If you like jazz and blues, you might like the kokyu. It is often compared to other bowed string instruments like the zhuihu and leiqin. There are usually three strings, but sometimes you may see four of them. Some people use cat skin others use snakeskin to cover the ends of the instrument. The neck is made out of ebony, but styrax japonica wood and coconut are often used. In Okinawa, they have a version of this instrument called kucho, which is round. It is 28 inches and very graceful, looking like the shamisen. The kokyu is different from the other Japanese string instruments because it is the only one that requires a bow. It is perfect for family gatherings, especially celebrations like birthdays and weddings. Both children and elders can play it, and most families in this city have one at home. They say this instrument is the soul of Okinawan folk music. Often the material of choice is polyester, as it isn’t sensitive and prone to skin cracks. Today people often use artificial Sanshin skin to make this instrument instead of snakeskin. The Sanshin has three tuning pegs, typically made of ebony. Although other woods such as Rosewood, Apitong, and Oak are also used. They also use the black ebony core for the neck because it is strong and durable, and it gives the Sanshin that beautiful sound, which is recognizable. The strings of this Japanese string instrument are usually made of silk or nylon. A person who plays this instrument is known as a sanxian. The Sanshin has three strings on a snakeskin-covered body, and it has a beautiful long neck. Similar to the Shamisen, the Sanshin is from the Okinawa islands. Sōju Nosaka II has also played a large part in developing the Koto, she introduced versions of the instrument with seven more strings, creating a more modernized approach. Even referred to as the “Father of Modern Koto.” He even created Kumiata, an innovative form of Koto music. Yatsuhashi Kengyo is one of the most well-known players of the instrument and a large reason why this instrument is so developed and popular today. All of the strings are similar when it comes to tension and size, however, they produce different sounds. They used ivory to make it in the past, but today plastic and different types of wood are used.įor the strings, they are typically made from silk or plastic. They use paulownia wood to make it, and it has 13 bridges and 13 strings. Its body is 71 inches long and 7.9 inches wide. It is similar to the Vietnamese dan tranh, Korean gayageum, and Mongolian yatga. The Koto is a very famous and appreciated musical instrument in Japan, and it is a descendant of the Guzheng, (a Chinese stringed instrument).
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