World Music: Japanese

Question 1

What are the three main types of Japanese music? (3)

Answer 1

Theatrical, Gagaku (court), instrumental (often solo)

Question 1

What scale is commonly used in Japanese Music?

Answer 1

Pentatonic, or the ‘yo’ and ‘in’ scales

Question 2

What texture is commonly used in Japanese music?

Answer 2

Heterophonic or Homophonic texture. Sparse and thin.

Question 3

Describe the melody and melodic features of Japanese music (6)

Answer 3

No chordal harmony, uses vibrato, pitch bending, grace notes, portamentos and ornamentation

Question 4

Describe the structure of Japanese Music (1)

Answer 4

Through-composed (doesn’t repeat)

Question 5

Koto

Answer 5

Guqin like instrument. Uses harmonics, pitch bending, tremolos, glissandos

Question 6

Shakuhachi

Answer 6

Bamboo flute, played straight down. Uses grace notes and vibrato

Question 7

Sho

Answer 7

Mouth organ like reed instrument

Question 8

Gagaku (4)

Answer 8

Performed at imperial court and during important events. Irregular and slow meter. Thick homophonic and polyphonic texture.