By: Group 4

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.
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.
1. Odaiko - (big drum). The physical energy and
sheer excitement of an Odaiko performance is an
integral part of many Japanese matsuri (festivals).
2. Tsuzumi (hourglass- shape) – There are two
varieties; the (smaller) kotsuzumi is held on the
right shoulder and the player alters the tone by
squeezing the laces. The (bigger) otsuzumi is
placed on the left thigh.
3. Tsuridaiko – a large hanging barrel drum.

4. Taiko - is a Japanese drum that

comes in various sizes and is used
to play a variety of musical genres.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
1. 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.
2. Nokan - a parallel, bamboo flute is the only
melodic instrument used in noh. The melody of the
flute has no specific pitch relationship with the
melody of the chanting.
3.Hichiriki - is a double reed Japanese flute used as
one of two main melodic instruments in Japanese
gagaku music, the other being the ryūteki.
4. Sho - is a Japanese free reed musical instrument
that was introduced from China during the Nara
period.
5. Shinobue – also called takebue
(in the context of Japanese
traditional arts) is a Japanese transverse flute or
fue that has a high- pitched sound.
6. Ryūteki - literally "dragon flute" is a
Japanese transverse fue made of bamboo. It is
used in gagaku.