Comparison of integrating music into classes in Japan and America

Description:

The journal article, Attitudes and practices of Japanese and American music teacherstowards integrating music with other subjects, displays the studies of the comparison between Japan and American teachers’ attitudes and practices. A survey was completed by various teachers from each country. “Music teachers from the USA obtained higher attitude ratings towards the use of music integration, while music teachers in Japan integrated music with other subjects to a lesser extent.”

Evaluation:

This brief but to the point article gives a direct summary on the results and it would be beneficial to anyone fascinated in which country will use more music. Teachers may find this article interesting and may apply it to class by integrating more music.

APA:

 Zdzinski, S., Ogawa, M., Dell, C., Yap, C., Adderley, C., & Dingle, R. (2007). Attitudes and practices of japanese and american music teachers towards integrating music with other subjects. International Journal of Music Education, 25(1), 55-70.

The Spiritual Shakuhachi

Description:

In the journal article, The Shakuhachi as Spiritual Tool: AJapanese Buddhist Instrument in the West, Jay Keiser talks about the Japanese traditional instrument; the Shakuhachi. It refers to how the instrument has been known for its classical sound and how it has adapted to western tonology. Many players say the Shakuhachi is “an instrument on Buddhist philosophy and meditation practice, which is connected to its historical background as a spiritual tool by the Fuke sect of Buddhist monks in Japan.” The spiritual Shakuhachi continues to be played today.

Evaluation:

This article presents numerous details on what the instrument symbolizes. It may be interesting for someone who enjoys classical music or plays the instrument.

APA:

Keister, J. (2004). The shakuhachi as spiritual tool: A japanese buddhist instrument in the west. Asian Music, &v(2), 99.

Japanese Traditional Music development in University of Cologne, West Germany

Description:

The journal article, Report on the Third German-JapaneseSymposium on traditional Japanese music in Cologne (1981), written by Ingrid Fritsch presents a vast amount of info on the growth of traditional Japanese music in Cologne. The ethnomusicology section of Cologne has advanced into a research center for East Asian and especially Japanese music holding a great amount of resources. Translations of historical music material were created as well as Japanese music being more available. Fritsch outlines the three symposiums that were held from 1978 through 1981 and how it has affected the appearance of traditional Japanese music. “In order to deepen contacts with foreign scholars, German-Japanese symposia on traditional Japanese music have regularly taken place.” These meetings have been supported by several organizations of Japan and Germany (Fritsch 144).

Evaluation:

This article may be motivating for any Japanese music artists because their music is spreading. Also, this may be a good article for someone who has attended or attends the University of Cologne because they might find that traditional Japanese music sparks their interest.

APA:

Fritsch, I. (1981). Report on the third german-japanese symposium on traditional japanese music in cologne (1981). Asian Music, 13(1), 144-146.

‘Culture schools’ and music education in Japan

Description:

In the journal article, Music education at ’Culture Schools, Tadahiro Murao presents information on Culture Schools and music education in Japan. Culture Schools are very popular in Japan and students who attend these schools can be kids, adults, and even people who have retired. “Accordingly, culture schools can be regarded as a one of the life-long educational systems.”  Japanese traditional music classes are way more popular than western classes and most Culture Schools offer numerous classes on the Japanese traditional music styles. This article further refers to education teaching styles.

Evaluation:

The information Tadahiro Murao displays is legitimate considering he is a member of the Faculty at the Aichi University of Education in Japan. This journal article may be for someone interested in attending a Culture School, or someone who might compare this type of schooling to others. Considering that it offers material on systems in which traditional Japanese is taught currently as well as prior years, this article may be informative to any music teacher.

APA:

Tadahiro M. (2000). Music education at 'culture schools'.International Journal of Music Education, 35(1), 15-16.

The Shakuhachi: one of Japans traditional instruments

Description:

This website gives a brief overview of the basic structure of the instrument, how it has become a traditional sound to the Japanese culture, and details as to why it sounds so beautiful. “This instrument produces a sound that is said to replicate the full range of natural life on earth.” Depending on how the Shakuhachi is played, many can relate it to the way nature sounds. The beautiful tone projected through the instrument reminds people of the spiritual tradition of Japan.

Evaluation:

A knowledgeable synopsis is given highlighting many important characteristics of the Shukuhachi. Checking out this site will benefit anyone who is fascinated in the instrument or Japans musical tradition. This website also shows interesting points on the design of the flute which may be informational to those who play a currently designed flute.

MLA:

"Shakuhachi - The Sound of Nature." Shakuhachi-Traditional Japanese Bamboo Flutes. Traditional Musical Instruments of Japan Used for Zen Buddhist Meditation, Classical, Jazz & Folk Music. Web. 10 Dec. 2011.

Sapporo Symphony Orchestra

Description:

This website provides a thorough biography of the SapporoSymphony Orchestra and how they have grown over the past 50 years. They present 120 splendid performances each year throughout the 5.5 million residents of Hokkaido. “In recent years, the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra has been gaining further popularity as the orchestra which presents the vast land of Hokkaido with a clear sound and a dynamic and powerful expression.” Their popularity has tremendously grown and continues to increase especially because of the great outcome of the Europe tour in May of 2011. This website also displays the former conductors who have contributed to the orchestra’s success.

Evaluation:

This website contains vital information on the development of the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra. It would be a great website for anyone interested in attending a concert, purchasing a CD, or to simply learn about the orchestra and its impact on Japanese music. This website lacks to present any upcoming concerts.

MLA:

"The Sapporo Symphony Orchestra The Orchestra." 札幌交響楽団 Sapporo Symphony Orchestra-「札響」. June 2011. Web. 10 Dec. 2011.

Ayumi Hamasaki

Description:

This website takes us through the life of Ayumi Hamasaki. In detail, it covers all aspects of her childhood, to her career and to how it has affected the Japanese Music industry all together. Ayumi Hamasaki has done several things to change the way music will be viewed forever. Her consistent change of appearance had much to do with the rise of her popularity and her trends have spread throughout Japan. She has a number of top selling records and is viewed as one of the most popular music artists today.

Evaluation:

This website displays a ton of information on Ayumi Hamasaki and if you are looking to know more about her this is a great site to find material. “Hamasaki has been dubbed the "Empress of Pop" because of her popularity and widespread influence in Japan.” This website may also be for anyone who enjoys the pop music style considering she is well known in that genre.

MLA:

"Ayumi Hamasaki." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 2 Dec. 2011. Web. 09 Dec. 2011.

Overview of the Japanese traditional instrument, Koto

Description:

The website, Koto World, presents an in-depth synopsis on the national instrument of Japan (Falconer 1). Elizabeth Falconer’s website gives a thorough explanation on everything about the traditional Japanese instrument, the Koto. It discusses how the Koto is made, the history behind it, basic fundamentals of how it’s played, and what famous artists have performed with this instrument giving the traditional Japanese feel. Many people say the sound of the Koto “brings to mind the simple yet elegant beauty of traditional Japan” (1).

Evaluation:

This website is informative for anyone who would like to be familiar with Japans national instrument. The website offers an organized background on the Koto and will be beneficial to any reader. “The blind composer, innovator and performer Miyagi Michio (1894-1956) was the first Japanese composer to combine…Western and traditional koto music.” Koto World will reveal musical figures such as Miyagi Michio, who was responsible in keeping the Koto unforgotten, and Sawai Tadao who also kept the Koto’s tradition alive today (Falconer 1).

MLA:

Falconer, Elizabeth. "About the Japanese Koto." Koto World. Web. 09 Dec. 2011.

Japanese Rock and Pop summer festivals

Description:

In the news article, Rock and pop: The A, B, C's ofJ-music, Mark Jarnes discusses a number of summer music festivals held throughout several prefectures of Japan. The Peaceful Love Rock Festival starts off the month of July with styles such as indie and old fashioned rock and roll. Throughout the rest of July and August, for the short amount of time summer holds, as many shows as possible were given presenting the Japanese rock style. Rock in Japan is a very interesting festival because of the various musical genres it covers. J-pop, J-rock, and numerous others styles of J-Music were presented in this festival including bands, 9mm Parabellum Bullet, and Auto-Tune sensation Perfume who have completely different styles (Jarnes 1).

Evaluation:

For the Rock in Japan festival Jarnes declares, “…this festival is for those who want to get completely up to date with the local music scene in three days of J-bliss"(Jarnes 1). This may be an article for one who would be interested in attending the festivals, or may just be fascinated in forms of J-music. Jarnes article is very informational due to detailed descriptions containing dates and locations of all the summer festivals. 

Japan Music Week festival focuses on new performers

Description:

In the news article, Music fest spotlights new acts, Monica Tandung discusses one of Japans biggest musical events. It was the third year Japan Music Week has been presented throughout Japan’s capital, Tokyo. This international music event that had occurred on November 4^th through the 13^th opens the opportunity for many diverse  countries’ music styles to be heard. Japan Music Week’s underlying theme is “One Music, One World,” and these 500 performers all displayed this  motto with the various music styles played at 40  performances given.  JNW had its focus on new talent being discovered which in most cases are bands or artists who performed at gigs throughout the city (Tandung 1). This event’s turnout was great this year along with the past two years because of the amount of performers and the enormous audience that crowded the streets of Tokyo.

Evaluation:

This article may not be for someone looking for a large amount of information on Japanese music itself, but for those who would like a short description on Japan Music Week. This article is brief, but to the point. For anyone who would consider attending next year this article may be useful. “To attend the event, music fans can either purchase a JMW wristband from their website or buy tickets directly from vendors" (Tandung 1).It further discusses the details including the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing tickets or wristbands. 

MLA:

Tandung, Monica. "Music Fest Spotlights New Acts | The Japan Times Online." The Japan Times Online: News on Japan, Business News, Opinion, Sports, Entertainment and More. The Japan Times Online, 04 Nov. 2011. Web. 06 Dec. 2011.

New Years in Japan brings back the traditional music. It is usually ignored all year but during this time interest increases from the spirit of the holiday.

Description:

In the article, Japanese Music gets support from theNew Year’s tradition,  Christopher  Y. Blasdel  refers to Japans traditional music and how it plays a great deal of importance to their culture.  During the holidays Japans traditional music suddenly seems to reappear and is constantly being listened to at that time. The New Year brings the traditional music to TV, radio, and stage. Several performances are given some of by Japans top artists including Oedo Sukeroku Taiko and Takeharu Kunimoto. Blasdel states, “…New Year holidays might remain somewhat formal, media in Japan has become an important aspect of the traditional performing arts” (1).  This means that this Japanese traditional music being performed through TV, Radio, commercials, and concerts are important to the media.

Evaluation:

This article might be an interesting one for someone who is currently living Japan, someone who is Japanese, or ones who enjoy educating themselves about the Japanese traditional music culture. It would be greatly appreciated by one who does not know about the tradition Japan conveys about music. You don’t have to enjoy the music itself but becoming knowledgeable about the tradition itself and the performances given is very interesting.

MLA:

Blasdel, Christopher. "Japanese Music Gets Support from New Year’s Tradition." The Japan Times 6 Jan. 2001. Print.

Although the appearance of metamorphose is bringing more choice to this upcoming Japan music festival, this new music arrival is not over taking earlier Japanese acts.

Description:

In the article, Rave faves Dub Squad to reunite for festival written by Jeff Hammond, Metamorphose is being welcomed into the music industry with open arms. It’s been just ten short years that this new music style has come about. Events like the Japan music festival, taking place this 2011 summer are willingly presenting this style for a wider variety of music for this outdoor concert. This group “Dub Squad” is reuniting for this festival, joining older Japanese acts with no intention of becoming any bigger then original artists.

Evaluation:

People who love music and new styles would highly enjoy this articles insight. As music tastes are very opinionated, it would be just as easy for them to lose interest with the mention of one music style that is personally disliked by the reader. Articles as this one written by Jeff Hammond keeps readers up to date with new styles and information that leaves them coming back for more. The music industry is much like high school apparel. Clothing styles change every day and people love knowing what’s hot in fashion as they do with the music business.

MLA:

Hammond, Jeff. "Rave Faves Dub Squad to Reunite for Festival." The Japan Times Online: News on Japan, Business News, Opinion, Sports, Entertainment and More. 01 Sept. 2011. Web. 05 Dec. 2011.