The Music and Musical Instruments of Japan (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Francis Taylor Piggott

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1331980143 ISBN 13: 9781331980148

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Explore the soundscape of historic Japan through its instruments and tunings.

This book surveys how Japanese music developed, from scale theory and pitch to rhythm and performance practice.

Delving into the origins, connections with Chinese music, and the way instruments are described and used, the volume blends history with practical details. It also explains notation and how various instruments like the koto, biwa, sho, and Bugaku ensembles contribute to a rich musical culture.

• Explanations of Japanese scales and tunings and how they compare with Chinese theory
• Descriptions of core instruments such as the koto, biwa, and wind and percussion families
• Insights into rhythm, timing, and performance practices across traditional genres
• An indexed reference to terms, forms, and notable ensembles in Japanese music

Ideal for readers curious about traditional Japanese music, its instruments, and its historical development.

About this title

Product Description

Excerpt from The Music and Musical Instruments of Japan Any Preface which I write to the following pages must of necessity be so full of apologies for their shortcomings that I shall reduce it to the smallest compass possible. The book contains the results of observations made in leisure moments in Japan, supplemented by studies made since my return from the East. I am now painfully conscious how incomplete those observations must have been. I have, nevertheless, some confidence in the accuracy of the results of my Western studies, because I have had more than an author's fair share of assistance from others more competent than I to grapple with scientific difficulties. Sir John Stainer has, with customary kindness, helped me to unravel some of the mysteries of the Japanese scale: and, though I have no right to say that my conclusions are justified by his assent to them, I may plead his help to show that they have not been lightly arrived at. Mr. Southgate's erudition and historical knowledge have been placed so unreservedly at my disposal that I cannot but regret that the sheaf of notes with which he has contented himself is of such modest proportions. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1331980143
• ISBN 13: 9781331980148
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288