Sheet music (Jongara)
(click on images to enlarge)
Friday, July 15, 2016
Lesson Blog #18 - Jongara (じょんがら)
I apologize for another gap in lesson blogs. We finished up Samushiro a few weeks ago. Two weeks ago, we started a modern instrumental piece - Jongara (じょんがら). This a modern jiuta piece that is based off of a very popular tsugaru piece. In the jiuta version, the piece is meant for koto, bass koto, and shamisen. It can also be easily played as a solo piece for shamisen. It's certainly a departure from what we normally do, but it's fun! The piece has many tricky parts, but it's giving me a chance to practice my accuracy at a fast pace. My biggest focus right now is making sure that my rhythm is even although I'm playing these extremely fast notes.
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Cha ondo/Chanoyu ondo (茶音頭) Sheet Music
Sheet music (Cha ondo/Chanoyu ondo)
(click on images to enlarge)
Shin'ya no Tsuki (深夜の月) Sheet Music
I'm trying to go back and start posting the sheet music for pieces that I completed before I started this blog. We will kick this effort off with Shin'ya no Tsuki (深夜の月).
Sheet music (Shin'ya no Tsuki)
(click on images to enlarge)
Friday, June 3, 2016
Lesson Blog #17 - Samushiro (さむしろ / 狭筵)
This week, we started a new piece - "Samushiro" (さむしろ / 狭筵). We were able to play through the maeuta and tegoto. I was surprised that we got that far as this is a quite lengthy piece. I found the first part to be quite easy in comparison to some of the other pieces we played lately. Though there were definitely some more challenging small aspects to the singing, for the most part everything made logical sense. The latter part of the tegoto was much trickier though, mostly because when there are a lot of high notes I struggle with that. The other challenging aspect of this piece is the amount of tuning changes. It starts out as a lowered ni-agari (C-G-C) and then moves to ichi-sagari (C-G-D). And finally to hon-choshi (D-G-D). I did feel more confident with my tuning changes this week; I was able to do them faster and more accurately than ever before. This should be good practice for me to continue improving!
Sheet music (Samushiro)
(click on images to enlarge)
Friday, May 20, 2016
My trip to Japan and being on Japanese TV
A few posts ago, I was kind of cryptic about some good happenings in my life. This is why: I was on the Japanese TV show 世界!ニッポン行きたい人応援団, and I could not reveal any details until the episode aired. If you're not familiar with it, the show is about foreigners who have a specific interest in Japanese culture. I have been playing the shamisen for about 5 years now, and I love everything about the instrument, so I decided to submit an application later last year. I was previously passed up, so I figured that I was out of the running probably, but they contacted me about being interviewed in early April. At that time, I did not know that I would be chosen to actually go to Japan. The reaction to their invitation is definitely 100% real!
For my episode, we traveled to Shiga and mostly spent time at Marusan Hashimoto to see how the silk strings for traditional instruments (like the shamisen, koto, biwa, etc.) are made. It was an amazing process, and I plan on giving a more in-depth explanation on this blog - so please look for it in the near future!
The biggest surprise is at the end, but I do not want to spoil the episode, so please watch it (above)! I come in around 10m30s.
I hope you enjoy it!
For my episode, we traveled to Shiga and mostly spent time at Marusan Hashimoto to see how the silk strings for traditional instruments (like the shamisen, koto, biwa, etc.) are made. It was an amazing process, and I plan on giving a more in-depth explanation on this blog - so please look for it in the near future!
The biggest surprise is at the end, but I do not want to spoil the episode, so please watch it (above)! I come in around 10m30s.
I hope you enjoy it!
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Lesson Blog #16 - Miyama Jishi (御山獅子), pt. 5
This week was much more successful than the previous one. We focused on the tegoto and atouta of Miyama Jishi (御山獅子), and I was able to complete the song. It's certainly not presentation worthy, but for lesson purposes, it is complete. It's definitely one of those pieces that I would like to visit again in the future by myself because while it is difficult now, it may not be so hard as my skill improves.
To recap the lesson, I am happy to say that there were not really any points where I truly struggled. I am most pleased that I was able to do the tuning changes more swiftly. I am finally starting to be able to have the muscle memory for how far I need to turn the itomaki. I probably should have been able to do that better long ago though...
We will have a two week break in lessons because my sensei will be going out of town. Please check back then!
To recap the lesson, I am happy to say that there were not really any points where I truly struggled. I am most pleased that I was able to do the tuning changes more swiftly. I am finally starting to be able to have the muscle memory for how far I need to turn the itomaki. I probably should have been able to do that better long ago though...
We will have a two week break in lessons because my sensei will be going out of town. Please check back then!
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Lesson Blog #15 - Miyama Jishi (御山獅子), pt. 4
Sensei wanted me to do the maeuta from Miyama Jishi this week mostly by myself, and I failed spectacularly at that. I actually practiced (what I thought was) fairly well this past week, but due to my work schedule, I was unbelievably tired by the time I got home from work today. Two Redbulls later, and I still felt like I was dragging! That certainly wasn't the healthiest option, and it failed anyway... I am grateful that sensei is always very patient with me, even when it is obvious that I am not doing well for whatever reason or another. Once we played together, and I tried to repeat the section back, there was a decent amount of improvement. I feel like part of the issue is that I second guess myself when she asks me to play on my own first. I need to trust myself a little more in that regard.
Next week, we are going to work on the tegoto. Most of that doesn't cause me too much trouble with this piece, but the chirashi and naka-chirashi are a little tricky for me.
Next week, we are going to work on the tegoto. Most of that doesn't cause me too much trouble with this piece, but the chirashi and naka-chirashi are a little tricky for me.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Lesson Blog #14 - Miyama Jishi (御山獅子), pt. 3
There was a purposeful 2 week gap between the last lesson and this one. I wish I could share more information at this time, but it will have to remain a secret for a few weeks longer! ;)
I feel like this week was mostly a "refresher" kind of lesson since we had the two week gap. I am grateful because I did not have really any time to practice at all for over a week. We played each piece of the song together, and there really wasn't any part with which I felt that I particularly struggled, but some of the singing and playing in the maeuta and atouta were a little tricky due to speed and rhythm. I'll have to practice those parts more diligently since I need to be able to play most of this song on my own next week.
It's a little belated, but here is the sheet music for Miyama Jishi (御山獅子).
I feel like this week was mostly a "refresher" kind of lesson since we had the two week gap. I am grateful because I did not have really any time to practice at all for over a week. We played each piece of the song together, and there really wasn't any part with which I felt that I particularly struggled, but some of the singing and playing in the maeuta and atouta were a little tricky due to speed and rhythm. I'll have to practice those parts more diligently since I need to be able to play most of this song on my own next week.
It's a little belated, but here is the sheet music for Miyama Jishi (御山獅子).
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Lesson Blog #13 - Miyama Jishi (御山獅子), pt. 1 & 2
A lot of crazy (but mostly good!) things have been happening in my life lately, so I'm sorry that there was a gap in lesson blogs again. Let me bring you up to speed... We finished out Iso Chidori and did an instrumental piece called Karaginuta (唐砧). I also did a small performance for the Japanese Gardens of Memphis tour at the Memphis Botanic Garden.
Today, we did our second lesson on Miyama Jishi (御山獅子). A link to the translation can be found on here. This one is the traditional tegotomono style. I am really enjoying this one thus far, even though parts of the piece are quite challenging. Last week, we played through just the maeuta, but this week we finished the whole thing. I feel more confident about this one than the last few singing pieces. I'll try to post the sheet music for this one soon.
I also hope to be able to share some exciting news with you soon. Please look for updates!
Today, we did our second lesson on Miyama Jishi (御山獅子). A link to the translation can be found on here. This one is the traditional tegotomono style. I am really enjoying this one thus far, even though parts of the piece are quite challenging. Last week, we played through just the maeuta, but this week we finished the whole thing. I feel more confident about this one than the last few singing pieces. I'll try to post the sheet music for this one soon.
I also hope to be able to share some exciting news with you soon. Please look for updates!
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Lesson Blog #12 - Iso Chidori (磯千鳥), pt. 4 & 5
Sorry for the gap in lesson blogs! We've only had 2 lessons in the past month because of scheduling. The first of the two lessons was unfortunately like the lesson of February 10th - poor. I find myself getting so frustrated with this piece, and it's definitely showing in my lessons... It has a lot of complicated singing and playing like most Kikuoka Kengyo pieces.
This week's lesson was much better. I had focused more on the atouta and the tegoto than the maeuta this week because I anticipated that my sensei would focus most strongly here, but I was incorrect; we still spent a good amount of time on the maeuta, BUT this time, my singing and playing were finally starting to come together. I made a conscious effort to practice more this time around. I know that most of my struggles have been my fault because I wasn't practicing as I should. There are still several spots with difficult rhythms and even after putting some real effort into practicing these parts, they continue to stump me somewhat, but it's improvement nonetheless. The tegoto and atouta didn't cause me too much trouble overall.
Next week, we will probably finish this piece and maybe start a new one.
This week's lesson was much better. I had focused more on the atouta and the tegoto than the maeuta this week because I anticipated that my sensei would focus most strongly here, but I was incorrect; we still spent a good amount of time on the maeuta, BUT this time, my singing and playing were finally starting to come together. I made a conscious effort to practice more this time around. I know that most of my struggles have been my fault because I wasn't practicing as I should. There are still several spots with difficult rhythms and even after putting some real effort into practicing these parts, they continue to stump me somewhat, but it's improvement nonetheless. The tegoto and atouta didn't cause me too much trouble overall.
Next week, we will probably finish this piece and maybe start a new one.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Lesson Blog #11 - Iso Chidori (磯千鳥), pt. 3
I feel terrible because I had yet another week where I did not practice as I should. I have got to figure out a way to give myself a little push again. It's not for lack of wanting to play. I believe that other personal life issues have gotten in the way. I may have to go back to a more rigid practice schedule in order to make sure I do what I need to do.
My sensei had intended that I be able to do some of the piece more independently this week. I definitely could not do the maeuta or atouta on my own. I was able to go through the makura, naka chirashi, and chirashi on my own but with some minor issues.
I have two weeks until my next lesson since my sensei will be out of town next week. I hope to show her that I have vastly improved!
My sensei had intended that I be able to do some of the piece more independently this week. I definitely could not do the maeuta or atouta on my own. I was able to go through the makura, naka chirashi, and chirashi on my own but with some minor issues.
I have two weeks until my next lesson since my sensei will be out of town next week. I hope to show her that I have vastly improved!
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Lesson blog #10 - Iso Chidori (磯千鳥), pt. 2
Since we only barely started Iso Chidori (磯千鳥) last week, this week's lesson was focused on going through more of the piece with my sensei. In true Kikuoka Kengyo style, this piece already seems quite complicated from a singing standpoint. It has a lovely melody, but this is going to be a piece where I really have to practice the shamisen and singing separately for many parts until I become more familiar with the music.
One of my biggest concerns about this piece are the tuning changes. I'm not great with changing my tuning quickly anyway, but part of the problem is my shamisen itself. The itomaki really need to be replaced because they slip a lot, especially the ni-no-ito. I have tried several different suggestions from my sensei, but all of them are only very temporary fixes. The one that works the best is lightly wetting the inside of the itomaki hole. This causes the wood to swell slightly, helping the itomaki stay in place. The weather is also an important factor. If it is very dry (like it has been lately), the itomaki tends to slip more.
One of my biggest concerns about this piece are the tuning changes. I'm not great with changing my tuning quickly anyway, but part of the problem is my shamisen itself. The itomaki really need to be replaced because they slip a lot, especially the ni-no-ito. I have tried several different suggestions from my sensei, but all of them are only very temporary fixes. The one that works the best is lightly wetting the inside of the itomaki hole. This causes the wood to swell slightly, helping the itomaki stay in place. The weather is also an important factor. If it is very dry (like it has been lately), the itomaki tends to slip more.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Lesson blog #9 - Hatsune (初音), pt. 3 and Iso Chidori (磯千鳥)
Due to being on rest for about a month, I feel like the routine I have with practice has stagnated. Before the surgery, I usually practiced for about an hour, approximately 5 times per week. I have had difficulty getting myself to do that now. I think it's partially just being out of that rhythm, but it's also likely because my stamina is not what it was before the surgery.
So to the lesson itself... Not good in my personal opinion. Difficulty with both shamisen and singing, but mostly singing. It probably was all caused by the lack of practice. There wasn't anything in particular that I didn't understand - just lack of muscle memory and some issues with rhythm. Even though I feel that this lesson was very bad, my sensei decided to finish this piece (Hatsune) and move on to a new one - Iso Chidori (磯千鳥). The last few songs that we have done have been fairly happy or even celebratory in nature. Iso Chidori is definitely not that kind of piece. According to Komuso, the song is about a bride who has been betrayed (lyrics and translation here). It is often used as a memorial piece as well.
Sheet music (Iso Chidori)
(click on images to enlarge)
