What are the Vocal Music of Japan, China, and Korea
Vocal music of Japan
The main tone of Japanese music has two modes; the Yo-sen and the In-sen. Both consist of five
primary tones based on a scale with seven tones. The two remaining tones are considered as auxiliary
tones. The ancient melody of Japanese music is commonly based on these modes. However, one melody is not always in one mode alone. The melody of Japanese music commonly shifts on both modes. They often give emphasis on the second to fourth tone of the mode.
Korean Vocal Music
Arirang – is a Korean folk song. It is sometimes used as a symbol of Korea and Korean culture.
Arirang is in essence a song of farewell. The word “Arirang” means “the hill”. It pertains to the foothills of Korea where most Koreans had parting on. An emotion of deep regret is imbued in the rhythm of Arirang.
The song evokes the feeling of the tears shed by Koreans and the remembrance of their sad stories.
Source: Pangasinan II, MUSIC
QUARTER 2 – MODULE 2
MELC: Analyze musical elements of selected songs
and instrumental pieces heard and performed.
The main tone of Japanese music has two modes; the Yo-sen and the In-sen. Both consist of five
primary tones based on a scale with seven tones. The two remaining tones are considered as auxiliary
tones. The ancient melody of Japanese music is commonly based on these modes. However, one melody is not always in one mode alone. The melody of Japanese music commonly shifts on both modes. They often give emphasis on the second to fourth tone of the mode.
Chinese Vocal Music
Chinese Vocal Music has traditionally been sung in a thin, non-resonant voice or in falsetto and is
usually solo rather than choral. All traditional Chinese music is melodic rather than harmonic. Chinese
vocal music probably developed from sung poems and verses accompanied by music.Mo Li Hua is a
traditional Chinese song with a beautifully gentle and lyrical melody. The lyrics about the jasmine flower also turn it into a love song. The song describes a custom of giving Jasmine flowers, popular in the southern Yangtze region of China. Another version describes the fear of plucking the flower.
Melody and tone color are prominent expressive features of Chinese music and great emphasis is given
to the proper articulation and inflection of each musical tone. Most Chinese music is based on the 5 tone or the Pentatonic Scale though heptatonic scale is also used.
usually solo rather than choral. All traditional Chinese music is melodic rather than harmonic. Chinese
vocal music probably developed from sung poems and verses accompanied by music.Mo Li Hua is a
traditional Chinese song with a beautifully gentle and lyrical melody. The lyrics about the jasmine flower also turn it into a love song. The song describes a custom of giving Jasmine flowers, popular in the southern Yangtze region of China. Another version describes the fear of plucking the flower.
Melody and tone color are prominent expressive features of Chinese music and great emphasis is given
to the proper articulation and inflection of each musical tone. Most Chinese music is based on the 5 tone or the Pentatonic Scale though heptatonic scale is also used.
Arirang – is a Korean folk song. It is sometimes used as a symbol of Korea and Korean culture.
Arirang is in essence a song of farewell. The word “Arirang” means “the hill”. It pertains to the foothills of Korea where most Koreans had parting on. An emotion of deep regret is imbued in the rhythm of Arirang.
The song evokes the feeling of the tears shed by Koreans and the remembrance of their sad stories.
QUARTER 2 – MODULE 2
MELC: Analyze musical elements of selected songs
and instrumental pieces heard and performed.