Japanese Folk Music
When you think of “scales” in music theory, you probably think of major scales, minor scales, and perhaps a mode or two. But music reaches far beyond the common western scales, and in this article, we’re going to take a moment to explore some of the fascinating scales found in Japanese music!
About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators. Japanese music, the art concerned with combining vocal or instrumental sounds for beauty of form or emotional expression, specifically as it is carried out in Japan. Korea served as a bridge to Japan for many Chinese musical ideas as well as exerting influence through its own forms of court music.
Hirajōshi Scale
The Hirajōshi scale was originally adapted from shamisen music for the tuning of the koto. Today it remains as one of the most regularly used Japanese scales. Like most scales in Japanese music and all we will cover in this article, the Hirajōshi scale is a pentatonic scale consisting of five notes. Today it is widely used by jazz and rockguitarists looking for exciting musical opportunities. Though this scale has several different modes and patterns, the most common way you will see it as follows:
The Hirajōshi Scale Formula: 1, 2, b3, 5, b6
https://www.musicnotes.com/now/wp-content/uploads/hirajoshiFINAL.mp3For an in-depth guitar lesson on the Hirajōshi scale, check out this awesome video from Guitar World here.
In Scale
The In scale is often referred to as the “Sakura pentatonic scale” due to its use in the well-known folk song “Sakura, Sakura.” This scale, like the Hirajōshi scale, is regularly found in Japanese music.
The In Scale Formula: 1, b2, 4, 5, b6
https://www.musicnotes.com/now/wp-content/uploads/In-Scale.mp3Insen Scale
The Insen scale is very similar to the In scale, but instead of a flatted sixth, it uses a flatted seventh. Like the Hirajōshi scale, it is a tuning scale that was originally used for the koto.
The Insen Scale Formula: 1, b2, 4, 5, b7
https://www.musicnotes.com/now/wp-content/uploads/insen.mp3Iwato Scale
The Iwato scale is similar to the mode, the mode built on the seventh scale degree of the western major scale. It is only different in that it has no 3rd or 6th notes, making it pentatonic.
The Iwato Scale Formula: 1, b2, 4, b5, b7
https://www.musicnotes.com/now/wp-content/uploads/iwato.mp3
Yo Scale
The Yo scale is a scale used specifically in traditional Japanese folk songs and early music. It is often described as a “bright” sounding scale because it does not contain any minor notes.
The Yo Scale Formula: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
https://www.musicnotes.com/now/wp-content/uploads/yo.mp3Now that you’ve learned a couple of Japanese scales, try adding them into your next warm-up! And for more music theory knowledge, check out more articles here.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be 'affiliate links.' This means if you click on the link and make a purchase, Musicnotes will receive an affiliate commission. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: 'Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.'The Japanese music culture is rich with beautiful melodies and lyrics. Elements such as nature and nostalgia are often explored with traditional Japanese music (known as hōgaku), and Japan’s artists have brought this refined musical aesthetic to virtually every other genre.
Soothing Japanese songshave become a favorite for listeners around the globe,and those looking to learn the language can use these tunes to pick up vocabularyand expressive phrases. In doing so, you’ll also come to more deeply appreciate the rich culture and history of Japan.
Japan’s culture is a fusion of traditional and modern. This is especially evident in the music scene, which includes a vast array of artists who perform everything from J-Pop, J-Punk,and jazzy hip hop beatsto sad Japanese folk songson traditional instruments such as the koto.
We’ve brought together some examples of thetop Japanese songs of all timeso you can discover your new favoritein the genre!
5 Famous Soothing Japanese Songs
1. “Tegami (Haikei Jūgo no Kimi e)“
“Letter: Greetings to a 15 Year Old” was written and performed by Angela Aki. The lyrics are instructions to a 15-year-old on how to appreciate and make the most of life.
This Japanese song urges the teenager to believe in herself during hard times. It tells her that, since there’s no point in running away from sorrow, she should smile and live in the present.
The final lyric, Shiawase na koto wo negaimasu, means “I wish you happiness.”
SEE ALSO: 10 Famous Japanese Expressions
2. “Yuki no Hana“
“Snow Flower” by Mika Nakashima is one ofthe top karaoke songs in Japanand has been remade by many artists around the globe.
The lyrics of this Japanese song are quite sentimental as they describe how one might feel watching the first snowfall with a loved one.
3. “Minna Yume no Naka“
Japanese Folk Music Genre
The lyrics in Kyoko Takada’s calming ballad are about being gracious over a lost love. The song reflects the Japanese aesthetic of yugen, which expresses that life is boring when everything is known.
Japanese Folk Music Genre
Loosely translated as “mysterious,” this Japanese song implies that some things should be held back.
4. “Ringo Oiwake“
This famous enka song (anemotional, and at timessad, Japanese folk songstyle) has been performed by many artists, with Hibari Misora’s version being the most famous.
The song tells of a girl from Tsugaru who experiences a sad farewell on an evening when apple blossoms fell. It’s later revealed that the goodbye was with her mother, and this is the reason for the girl’s melancholy every year when the blossoms drop.
Many famous Japanese songs reflect shibui (subtleness), and this is a great example. Photodefiner viewer for mac.
RELATED: 12 Japanese Holidays and Celebrations
5. “Nanatsu no Ko“
The lyrics to this popular kindergarten song were written by Ujō Noguchi, one of Japan’s preeminent nursery rhyme authors. The melody was composed by Nagayo Motoori. Its simple lyrics are translated:
“Mother crow, why do you cry so?
‘Because I have seven cute children
high on the mountain.’
‘Kawai kawai’ this mother crow cries.
‘Kawai kawai’ cries the mother crow.
You should behold the old nest
on the mountain. And there you’ll see such
round-eyed, good children.”
Did you know the Japanese word for music, ongaku, is a combination of the words for “sound” and “enjoyment”? It’s easy to discover how enjoyable this music can be. Add these tunes to your own playlist to broaden your musical horizons and find a newway to love Japanese songs. Musicians from Japan continue to push the envelope and reinvent these famous melodies, so keep anear out for new versions of these classics.
AnotherWay to Love Japanese Songs
If you want to appreciate thesesoothing Japanese songsin an even deeper way,Japanese language lessons can help.Aside from total immersion, private lessons are the best way to sharpen your understanding of spoken Japanese, along with the written forms of hiragana, katakana, and kanji.Your teacher may even be able to help you sing some of thesetop Japanese songs of all time!
It’s no secret that learning a language is easier when there’s a fun song to sing. One of the best parts of learning Japanese is discovering the shows, movies, and songs of Japan, some of which may have inspired you to learn the language in the first place. The more you listen and sing along to Japanese music, the better your language comprehension will become!
We hope you’ve enjoyed singing along to these beautiful lyrics and melodies. Do you have another favorite Japanese song you’d like to add to the list? Let us know in the comments!
Photo by Dennis Amith