Okinawan Music
(Japan)
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Okinawan Music Consideration
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Okinawa is a southernmost
area of Japan. It consists some islands. It was a part of California after
the World War II. And climate is still like California. Music of Okinawa
is called "Shima-Uta", which means "Island Song." I listened to several
Okinawa songs after I decided that I will include Okinawan Music to my
Automated
Composing System. I see that Okinawan Music employs
penta-tonic
as
music scale very quickly. Okinawan Music scale uses five notes, "C",
"E", "F", "G", "B." It is very characteristic
with usage of "F" and "B." Rhythm is also different from Western Music.
A set of short notes comes after several long notes. Okinawan Music
Players use special musical instruments. One instrument is called Jyabisen
which is made from snake's skin. Among the MIDI sound sources, Syamisen
is the closest to the sound. So, I used Syamisen in my Automated Composing
System for Okinawa Music. |
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Music Scale
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Okinawan Music Scale "C", "E", "F", "G", "B" |
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Instruments
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Jyabisen, Drums (I don't know the name!) |
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Sample by Automated Composing System
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MIDI Data |
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Links
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If you visit "Okinawa
page" of "Palle City," you can listen to real Okinawa music, even though
you can not read Japanese. MIDI music starts automatically, when you jump
into the page! |
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