Guitar Atlas: Japan

Your passport to a new world of music.

To most of us, Japan is an exotic and faraway land. When we see images of Shinto shrines, pagodas, geishas, and Kabuki actors in face paint, our imaginations are immediately captured.

Now you can experience this rich and mysterious culture through its music. In addition to arrangements of classic folk tunes such as “Sakura” and “Edo Komori-uta,” Guitar Atlas: Japan teaches about Japanese scales, modes, and tunings, and traditional instruments such as the shamisen, koto, shakuhachi. Learn guitar techniques to emulate the sounds of these exotic instruments. Discover the fascinating world of Kabuki music, including a style of shamisen playing called ozatsuma. The book also informs about the Bon odori, or bon dances, held during the summer festival of Bon.

This exciting introduction to the music of Japan offers new and interesting music to add to your repertoire, and teaches techniques, theory, and traditions that will enhance your playing and enrich your spirit. A CD demonstrating all examples and compositions is included.

• Notation Key 
• Introduction 
• 
  Chapter 1 – Brief History of Japanese Music 
• 
  Chapter 2 – Traditional Instruments of Japan 
• Shamisen and Sanshin 
• Koto 
• Biwa 
• Shakuhachi 
• Taiko, Gakudaiko, and Dadaiko 
• Tsuzumi 
• Binzara 
• 
  Chapter 3 – Traditional Scales and Modes 
• Scale and Mode Theory 
• The Yo Modes 
• The In Modes 
• The Hirajoshi, Kumoijoshi, and Kokinjoshi “Scales” 
• 
  Chapter 4 – Folk Music (Minyo) 
• Melodies 
• Singing 
• Rhythm 
• The Instruments 
• Folk Music Today 
• Edo Komori-uta (Edo Lullaby) 
• Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) 
• Kimi Ga Yo (Japan’s National Anthem) 
• Kiso Bushi (A Bon Dance) 
• 
  Chapter 5 – Classical Music of Okinawa 
• Shukkee Bushi (The Coming of Dawn) 
• 
  Chapter 6 – Shamisen Music of the Kabuki Theater 
• What is Kabuki? 
• Izumo no Okuni 
• Kabuki Music 
• Ozatsuma (Kabuki Interlude) 
• 
  Chapter 7 – Koto Music (Sokyoku) 
• Yatsuhashi Kengyo and the Masters 
• Michio Miyagi 
• Introduction to “Rokudan no Shirabe” and “Midare” 
• Rokudan no Shirabe (Music in Six Steps) 
• Midare (Disorder) 
• 
  Final Word 
• References for Further Reading 
• References for Further Listening 
• 
  Appendix 
• Alternate Guitar Tuning Used in This Book