Music-Lecture

East Asian Vocal Music

Korea

• Arirang: Popular traditional song in Korea held in high cultural esteem.

• Traditional Korean music consists of three five-note modes:

  • Kyemyonjo

  • Pyongjo

  • Ujo

• Sog-ak (Minsogak):

  • Associated with the lower classes.

  • Characteristics: Vibrant and energetic music that includes genres like minyo (folk songs) and pansori (folk narrative singing accompanied by drumming).

Japan

• Traditional music features two primary modes:

  • Yo-sen

  • In-sen

• Both modes consist of five primary tones based on a heptatonic scale, allowing for modal shifts within melodies.

• Sakura: Represents traditional themes; Yosen (female) & In-Sen (male) melodies illustrate gender associations in music.

China

• Moli Hua: A representative song in Chinese traditional music.

• Chinese music is based on a pentatonic scale (five tones), known as wu-sheng.

  • Pitch Collection: Emphasis on melody, tone color, articulation, and musical inflection.

• Pentatonic Scale:

  • Notes include: Do, Re, Mi, Sol, La

  • Patterns are integral to traditional compositions.

Traditional Instruments

Korea

1. Kayagum (Gayageum):

   • Zither-like string instrument with 12 strings, variants up to 21 or more.

   • One of the most recognized Korean instruments.

2. Geomungo:

   • Plucked six-string zither with frets.

   • Name may translate from Goguryeo, indicating its heritage.

3. Haegum:

   • Two-string vertical fiddle played vertically on the knee.

4. Piri:

   • Bamboo wind instrument used in folk and court music.

5. Changgo:

   • Widely used drum in Korean traditional music with an hourglass shape.

   • Represents harmony with different pitches from its two heads.

China

1. Yueqin:

   • Moon lute with four strings and a round soundboard.

2. Pipa:

   • Pear-shaped lute with varying numbers of frets.

3. Erhu:

   • Two-string bowed instrument, similar to a violin.

4. Yunluo:

   • Gong chime consisting of 10 tuned gongs.

5. Sheng:

   • Mouth-blown polyphonic reed instrument with vertical pipes.

6. Dizi:

   • Transverse flute used in diverse music forms in China.

7. Zheng:

   • Plucked zither with a loud, resonant sound.

8. Pengling:

   • Bells associated with Buddhist meditation, commonly made of metal.

Japan

1. Odaiko:

   • Large drum used in various styles of music and theater.

2. Tsuzumi:

   • Hourglass-shaped drum with two types: kotsuzumi (smaller) and otsuzumi (larger).

3. Tsuridaiko:

   • Large barrel drum played with two mallets.

4. Taiko:

   • Varieties of Japanese drums prominent in percussion ensembles.

5. Shinobue:

   • High-pitched transverse flute used in traditional contexts.

6. Ryūteki:

   • Bamboo transverse flute used in Gagaku.

7. Hichiriki:

   • Double reed flute, one of the main instruments in Gagaku.

8. Sho:

   • Free reed instrument introduced from China in the Nara period.

9. Shakuhachi:

   • Famous bamboo flute with varying holes.

10. Nokan:

• Bamboo flute used in Noh theater.

11. Biwa:

• Short-necked lute used for storytelling.

12. Koto:

• 13-string zither made from Paulownia wood, utilized in ensemble and solo forms.

13. Shamisen:

• Plucked instrument resembling guitar/banjo, common in traditional narratives.