Because of the diversity of music all around, each country has their own specific type of music. However, America, due to the fact that it is a melting pot, doesn’t really have traditional music. Native American music may be the closest, but immigrants with Germanic or other European roots don’t have very much to go on as far as tradition, especially traditional music. They can find music of their ancestors from the country from which they originated, or they can adopt new forms of music here. However, as far as traditional music, America doesn’t have much. It’s more of a combination of many traditions, and their music, depending on the family where the music came from. Jazz and rock were created in America as pop culture, but that’s not traditional music passed down from generation to generation.
Japan is an island, as many of you already know. Throughout history, Japan limited trading with other countries up until a certain point. This allowed a huge cultural distinction to be formed from other countries. No other country spoke Japanese or had the same cultural traditions as Japan. It was allowed to form its own traditions without much influence from very many other countries. This was great because very rare traditions formed. Japanese people hold these traditions very dear even now, as Japan is becoming increasingly more integrated with other countries' (especially American) culture.
One type of traditional Japanese music is called Noh, or nougaku (能楽). Noh is a type of theatrical music similar to kabuki. Noh uses many instruments. One is called the taiko (太鼓) which is a huge type of drum. Traditionally they are played with many other taiko in a drum show. Taiko drums are about the size of a person. Another instrument that’s very traditional to Japanese music is the ootsuzumi (大鼓), which is a small type of drum similar to a bongo. This type of drum makes a much higher pitched sound than the taiko drums. Taiko drums have a very low sound, and each time the biggest ones are hit, you can feel the resonating sound in your chest. It feels like your heart is beating along with the drums, even though it’s just vibrations. Another instrument is the kotsuzumi (小鼓), which is an even smaller type of drum. The kotsuzumi is found in many types of traditional Japanese music. It sounds very unique to other types of drums.
Here is a short clip of the kotsuzumi being played: video
Another instrument is the fue (笛). Fue is the Japanese word for flute, and the fue is just that: a flute. It’s made of bamboo and about 12 inches long. It creates a very clear and piercing sound. The highest notes seem almost shrill. Similar to a metal flute in America, the fue is fairly difficult to play. You need the correct embouchure (mouth placement) and some of the notes have very difficult fingerings.
Here is a Japanese high school student playing a fue: video
Another interesting part of my time in Japan was the Shōmyō. During sightseeing, we went to a temple. In the temple were monks doing a Buddhist ceremony. During the ceremony, they lit a large fire and a monk stood behind it and chanted. People attending the ceremony at that time were allowed to bring objects up to the monks. The monks would then take the objects and bathe them in the smoke of the fire for a moment, purifying the object. I chose my travel bag, since I didn’t have very many belongings with me. My travel bag happens to be my current backpack. Before the fire cleansing, the monks chanted and recited religious incantations. I couldn’t understand them because I’m not completely fluent in Japanese yet, but the way they said and sang the words was amazing. It’s so unique compared to anything in churches in America.
Here is an example of Shōmyō: video
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