Music of East Asia: Chinese, Korean, Japanese

Sounds of the World - Music of East Asia: Chinese, Korean, Japanese

set of 3 cassettes released in 1986

About Sounds of the World

Publications in the Sounds of the World series consist of two elements: high-quality stereo cassettes containing narration, interviews, and music examples; and an accompanying illustrated teacher's guide with background information and suggestions for using these materials with students from elementary to college levels.
Ethnomusicologist Karl Signell has provided MENC [Music Educators National Conference] with episodes from his "Music in a New World" series, originally produced for National Public Radio. For this series Signell traveled across America to record the music, songs, and stories of recent immigrants to this country, immigrants keeping alive their musical traditions in their new home.

General Characteristics of the Music

Melody

* Both five- and seven-tone scales are common in a variety of forms, but pentatonic scales predominate.
* Subtle slides and shakes are common in the melodies of East Asia. Korean music is characterized by more pronounced "wavering tones."

Rhythm

* Both free rhythm and strict rhythm are present.
* The meter of Chinese and Japanese music is predominantly duple or quadruple. Korean music often cast in triple meter.
* Syncopation is rather common in East Asian musics.

Texture

* East Asian musicians use a variety of textures. They place an emphasis, however, on clearly defined musical lines.
* Monophonic texture is common, particularly in solo compositions.
* Heterophonic texture (simultaneous variations on a musical line) is quite common when singers or instrumentalists perform together.
* Some harmony is indigenous (for example, that of Chinese sheng music). Western homophonic texture is common in contemporary music.

Timbre

* The timbre of East Asian music varies considerably. Tense, nasalized timbres characterize some vocal genres.
* A variety of aerophones, chordophones, idiophones, and membranophones are used in the area. Chordophones and aerophones predominate.

Dynamics

* Some musical genres (particularly those involving small ensembles) feature soft dynamic levels (for example, Chinese zheng and xiao music). Even larger ensembles, such as the Japanese gagaku orchestra, have predominantly soft dynamic levels. Other genres, such as Peking opera, often have loud dynamic levels.

Form

* Variation form is quite common.
* Suites (compositions comprising a number of related segments) are also frequent.
* Reverting form (for example, ABA) occurs, particularly in contemporary musical selections.
* Some East Asian music uses indigenous formal structures (for example, the tripartite design in Japanese music known as Jo-Ha-Kyu.)
* Programmatic music is very common.

Tracklisting:

cassette 1

1. Chinese {28:10}

cassette 2 missing (Korean)

cassette 3

1. Japanese {28:12}

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Music of Southeast Asia: Lao, Hmong, Vietnamese

Sounds of the World - Music of Southeast Asia: Lao, Hmong, Vietnamese

set of 3 cassettes released in 1986

About Sounds of the World

Publications in the Sounds of the World series consist of two elements: high-quality stereo cassettes containing narration, interviews, and music examples, and an accompanying illustrated teacher's guide with background information and suggestions for using these materials with students from elementary to college levels.
Ethnomusicologist Karl Signell has provided MENC [Music Educators National Conference] with episodes from his "Music in a New World" series, originally produced for National Public Radio. For this series Signell traveled across America to record the music, songs, and stories of recent immigrants to this country, immigrants keeping alive their musical traditions in their new home.

THE INDOCHINESE REFUGEE

The Old World

Directly south of China and to the east of India is the region of Southeast Asia, comprising mainland countries and island nations. "Mainland" Southeast Asia refers to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, and Malaysia. Of diverse origins, the variety of peoples, lifestyles, and cultural traditions is striking within the region. Influences from China, India, and the Middle East shaped their philosophical beliefs, which are uniquely and originally expressed through their music and arts.
Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia are countries once referred to as Indochina. Despite their physical separation from neighboring China and India by mountains and often-flooded river valleys, a significant exchange of cultural practices was evident for many centuries. Many Indian artists and scholars enjoyed enjoyed a high status in the courts of Southeast Asia while they introduced aspects of Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Indochinese youths were often sent to India for training in literary, artistic, and cultural practices. Trade routes between the two regions remained firmly established until at least the tenth century.
A diversity of ethnic groups entered Southeast Asia from South China, moving down the Mekong River valley. The Mon, Lao, Shan, Siamese, and Khmer settled in Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, while the Hmong migrated from China less than two hundred years ago. The Vietnamese became thoroughly Sinicized in the first century B.C. when China annexed the region. After an attempt to pursue an India-style civilization, around 1400 they reverted to traditional Confucianist ethics, an elite mandarin system of government, and a Chinese style of Buddhism.
The Western impact on the area was felt as early as the sixteenth century with the advent of missionaries, culminating in the colonization of the Indochinese peninsula by the French three centuries later. Despite the continued French rule until World War II, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia each maintained their unique cultural identities that had been developing for at least a millenium.
"Indochinese" is a generic term referring to the many Southeast Asian peoples who came under French colonial rule in the late nineteenth century. There is a diversity of ethnic and linguistic peoples in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. While there is a homogenous majority in each country - for example, 85 percent of those in Vietnam are Vietnamese - minority groups include Chinese in Cambodia, Hmong in Laos, and Chinese and Montagnards in Vietnam.

The New World

The disintegration of the South Vietnamese government in 1975 and similar political upheavals in Cambodia and Laos led to an unprecedented influx of refugees to the United States. They came as their governments were collapsing around them, journeying from camps in Thailand, Hong Kong, and Guam to reception centers in California, Arkansas, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Educational programs were established to facilitate the assimilation of the refugees into American life, and language, vocational, and recreational programs were initiated for adults and children. The transition was difficult as basic American values of independence clashed with the traditions of extended families and submission to one's elders. Sponsorship from church-affiliated agencies and state welfare funds provided food, clothing, and shelter for refugee families until they became self-supporting outside the centers.
There are over half a million people from Indochina now settled in the United States, living mainly in such cities as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Dallas; many continue to move from rural areas to increasingly viable and cohesive communities in the urban centers. Life in the New World holds promise for the refugees, although coping with language and cultural differences, isolation, and the separation of families has been difficult. For some, unemployment - or underemployment - and radical changes in social status have resulted in depression and loss of self-esteem. The position of the Indochinese in American society is still emerging, and the children of the refugees may know more success and security in the years to come. (from the liner notes)

Tracklisting:

cassette 1

1. Lao {28:16}

cassette 2

1. Hmong {28:03}

cassette 3

1. Vietnamese {28:21}

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Melawat Malaysia

Georgia Hesse and Russell Johnson - Melawat Malaysia

cassette released in 1985

This cassette is narrated by notable travel writer Georgia Hesse and producer and radio and TV host Russell Johnson. Melawat (Malay word for "visit") Malaysia is the second in a series of electronic travel guides produced by Travelmedia. All of the sounds and music were recorded in Malaysia. I am still trying to find out how many of these electronic travel guides were produced and released.

This tape gives a glimpse of the cultural background of Malaysia including the music, cuisine, traditions, marriage ceremonies, harvest celebrations along with the demographics (at time of recording), the fauna that inhabit the country and travel tips.

Tracklisting:

Side 1

1. Beasts, Brits and Bumiputras: From Jungle Cries to Semiconductors {17:24}

Side 2

1. Temples, Traditions and Travel Tips: From Cat Kites to Cuisines {17:17}

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A Tour Through the Music Box Arcade

A Tour Through the Music Box Arcade

released on LP

Rarely do we have the opportunity to hear the sounds of a past era. "A Tour Through the Music Box Arcade" and "Music of the Roaring Twenties" is an L.P. Hi-Fidelity recording of some of the world's most famous and intricate music boxes.

Old timers will recall many of the mechanical marvels recorded here but it will be a new auditory experience for the younger generation.

In 1938 Herb and Bob Horn began the acquisition of what is now the world's greatest collection of music boxes. These date back to 1790 and each has been painstakingly restored to original playing condition. Almost a hundred, of the three hundred in the collection, are described and played in delightful shows in their fabulous Sarasota, Florida, attraction.

In this specially constructed turn-of-the-century building is displayed one of the world's largest and finest restored collections of antique and classic automobiles. Music, settings, costumes and the displays create a charming "Gay Nineties" atmosphere.

Horn's Cars of Yesterday and Music Box Arcade was built in 1952 as a showplace for the extensive collections of these antique music boxes and early American automobiles.

The Horn brothers manufactured school equipment and farm machinery, and in these plants, they acquired the skills necessary for the exacting mechanics of restoration work. They learned every job in the business from precise machine work to inventing, designing and developing mechanical processes.

The love of early mechanical innovations was the motivating force that led Herb and Bob Horn into the hobbies of collecting and restoring the devices that were responsible for changing our way of living.

"A TOUR THROUGH THE MUSIC BOX ARCADE" traces the development of music boxes through the years right up to the hey-day of the phonograph.

"MUSIC OF THE ROARING TWENTIES" presents the machines that were used to attract and hold crowds of people. Some were called nickelodeons and were found in saloons, restaurants and hotel lobbies. Others supplied music for the skating rinks, theatres, circuses, political rallies, sporting events and other outdoor attractions of the period. (from the liner notes)



Tracklisting:

Side 1

1. A Tour Through the Music Box Arcade {25:13}

Side 2

1. Music of the Roaring Twenties {25:50}

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Sounds of Alaska Volume 1

Frank Brink - Sounds of Alaska Volume 1

LP released sometime during the early 1960s

Frank Brink - narrator and producer

"SOUNDS OF ALASKA" was designed to present meaningful and outstanding impressions of Alaska. The selection of these impressions was based on their appeal to Alaskans as well as to the many visitors who might never be able to stay in Alaska long enough to know the sources from which "Sounds of Alaska" were derived.

This recording does not attempt to present a comprehensive picture, nor even the most important aspects of life in Alaska. It is not a historical account, nor does it attempt to follow a geographical, or historical pattern.

It does, however, attempt to preserve some of the feeling of old Alaska before radio, TV, and modern transportation, a feeling which is alive now only in the memories of the old timers.

It introduces to new Alaskans authentic impressions of the character of some of the people known and unknown who have either made a significant contribution to the growth of Alaska, or who have made life more colorful during their moment in the "great land".

RECORDING THE SOUNDS

All the "Sounds of Alaska" with few exceptions were recorded by the producer during more than fourteen years of travels and expeditions throughout the Territory. Nine different recorders were used. Some were powered by 125 pound gasoline generators. Others were powered by six volt wet batteries and converters. The equipment was called "portable" only because it could be moved by sheer determination. This was before the modern light weight equipment had been developed. Most of the equipment had to be carried by pack board. A.C. current frequency fluctuated constantly with the gas powered generators, and recording frequency changed every time the recorders, batteries, or converters got cold. And, since nearly half of the material was recorded during winter months, the equipment was either cold or frozen solid much of the time. Once in Kotzebue a frozen recorder shared the warmth from a bush plane nose heater. The recorders have traveled approximately 11,000 miles in airplanes and dog sleds along with reindeer meat and shee fish.

Much of the recording was done candidly in order to preserve complete naturalness even at the sacrifice of a certain amount of quality. In some cases it was impossible to keep the microphone away from generators, converters, curious uninhibited children and other natural phenomena. Consequently the listener is invited to enjoy the additional flavor they provide.

In the final phases of editing, the Don Gretzer residence became a recording studio. A bedroom was used as a control room. The living room, kitchen, and bathroom were used as narration studios. The furnace, refrigerator, and florescent lights had to be shut off to reduce background noise. Narration was repeated many times because of interrupting airplanes, automobiles, and unwitting callers. (from the liner notes)


Tracklisting:

Side 1

1. George Ahgupuk Introduces Sounds of Alaska {5:35}

2. Fairbanks, Gold Town, Big City {2:08}

3. Nome, the Gold Rush City {2:36}

4. Alaskan Dog Mushers {3:37}

5. The Legendary Alaskan Bush Pilots {7:54}

Side 2

1. Kotzebue Eskimos {3:31}

2. The Seal Islands-The Pribilofs {3:26}

3. The Breakup of Lake George {2:58}

4. Anaktuvik Eskimos {3:50}

5. Fort Yukon-Athabascan Indians {4:46}

6. Climbing Mt. McKinley {2:45}

7. Juneau, Capitol of Alaska {2:58}

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The Science of Sound

Bell Telephone Laboratories - The Science of Sound

Since this is an educational blog about sounds, we should have an educational record that explains and describes the science of sound itself. There is not a more appropriate record to post than one called The Science of Sound.

This is a 2-LP set that was released in 1959. This is a very informative record as well as a fun record which are the qualities that all good educational records should possess. I'm sure that my visitors are familiar with at least the basic principles of sound, but the presentation on this record, with examples of sounds, makes it worthwhile to either review or learn the science of sound.

Tracklisting:

Side I

1. How We Hear {1:59}

2. Frequency {3:05}

3. Pitch {5:05}

4. Vibration and Resonance {3:25}

5. Intensity {6:22}

Side II

1. Loudness {7:30}

2. Noise Measurement {4:58}

3. Masking {1:55}

4. Echo and Reverberation {4:12}

5. Delay Distortion {2:41}

Side III

1. Fundamentals and Overtones {3:19}

2. Quality {2:41}

3. Subjective Tones {5:38}

4. Music and Noise {3:15}

5. Filtered Music and Speech {4:31}

Side IV

1. Dissonance and Consonance {5:15}

2. Music Scales {8:04}

3. Vibrato and Tremolo {3:13}

4. The Doppler Effect {3:19}

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Voices of Lynchburg

Herb Fanning - Voices of Lynchburg

I found a copy of this LP in a Goodwill store sometime ago. I think it's great that there is still worthwhile stuff to be found at Goodwill. Anyway, the tracks on the record are a collection of interviews with the citizens of Lynchburg, Tennessee conducted by someone named Herb Fanning who is also the narrator on this record. Lynchburg happens to be the location of the distillery of the world famous whiskey, Jack Daniels. Other than that, Lynchburg is a very small town with a very small population.

The people on this record talk about their favorite subjects including fishing, whittlin', and making whiskey, both legal and otherwise. What the heck is whittlin', you're probably wondering. You'll have to listen for yourself and find out or just do it the boring way and look it up on Google. The Lynchburg folks also talk a little bit about the history of the town and their ancestors who were among the town's first inhabitants. The last track is an interview with a country baker who was 91 years old at the time of the interview.

The interviews were recorded in the kitchens, porches and parlors of the folks interviewed along with park benches and the town square. The material on the LP was chosen from more than thirty hours of recorded conversations.


This is going to be the last post of 2008 so I wish everyone out there a happy 2009.

Tracklisting:

Side One

1. Around the Square {5:01}

2. Moonshine-and Other Natural Phenomena {5:45}

3. Goin' Fishing {6:27}

Side Two

1. Whittlin' {4:06}

2. Country Banker {10:40}

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Karnak Temples: Thebes of the Hundred Gates

Egyptian Organisation of Antiquities -- Sound and Light - Karnak Temples: Thebes of the Hundred Gates

This is a 2 LP set from the Egyptian Organisation of Antiquities within the Ministry of Culture and Information. I've dug this one up a few months ago along with many other items from which a few other LPs from that haul have been posted in this blog earlier in the year. This release is basically an audio presentation or documentary about temples in the Karnak complex in Luxor, Egypt. The presentation on these 2 LPs is not dry as the script for the material is engaging and the narrators keep it interesting throughout the program. There are musical cues that last for a few seconds which serve as transitions from topic to topic. There are many websites that have the same or updated information about the Karnak temples such as this one, but back when this 2 LP set was made, it probably was one of the few sources of information about the Karnak temples. The LP set is also a neat educational tool.




The LP sides are called faces instead of sides.

Tracklisting:

LP1

Face 1

1. Part 1 {16:40}

Face 2

1. Part 2 {17:50}

LP2

Face 1

1. Part 3 {18:00}

Face 2

1. Part 4 {16:09}

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