Module 2 Blog MUH6515
World Music
Listening Blog
Post #2
Topic: What ways are classification
systems useful? Use an example of time or instruments in your answer.
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Google
translated the headline of this video as follows:
“When visiting Gokayama, which is a World Heritage on January 29, 2011 , it is said to be the
oldest folk song in Japan
This is a very old Japanese folksong performed at the Aikura Gaku village folklore hall in Gokayama, Japan by a Japanese musician using voice and the binzasara. I feel classification systems are incredibly useful when approaching a world music example like the one I have chosen for
my blog this week. I was
immediately drawn to the unique instrument, the binzasara, being used in this
folk song and the joy of expression in the performer's face. I was also drawn to
the simple, steady beat the performer uses the instrument to mark. I would imagine this instrument could be used in much more intricate ways in regard to timing, however, it is utilized in a most subtle way. As far as
exotic instrumentation goes, I find that the musical interpretation of my ears
is often much different than interpretation of my eyes. For example, if I were
simply listening to this example of the binzasara being used as a rhythmic
percussion tool in this folk song, I may imagine many different possible shapes
and ways of playing this instrument if I could not see it. I would imagine
small, thin pieces of wood smacking together in succession, probably from being
flipped through as a deck of cards. However, after looking at the actual
instrument, I was delighted to see that the small pieces of wood are arranged
like dominoes and set in a stable fashion where they can be manipulated by
handles at either end of the instrument. No matter what the specific way the
instrument is fashioned turns out to be, the way in which the sound is produced
provides a characteristic tone that can be identified within the
Sachs-Hornbostel classification system as a concussive idiophone (Wade, 2013). The need to
know specific name of the instrument no longer hinders the listening
experience. The specific information concerning the cultural history and
formation of the instrument can be explored after the sound sample is
experienced and collected.
Reference
Wade, B. C. (2013). Thinking musically: experiencing music,
expressing culture. New York , NY Oxford University
Amber,
ReplyDeleteThat was definitely a very interesting video choice. I decided to read your description about the video and about instrument classification before I watched the video and was surprised at how the instrument was performed. You spoke about the instrument being used in "more intricate ways" than what it is being used in this example. I also wonder if this is an example of how the binzasara is used at its top potential. Meaning, what more could this instrument do in terms of different rhythmic and sound capabilities? I would be interested to find more videos with this instrument and see if the performances capabilities are about the same in each video.
Andrew,
DeleteI was surprised about how it was performed as well! I can imagine what I would do with that instrument and how I would love to experiment with it! I wonder if there are "conservative" ways that are considered culturally respectful to the instrument that we perhaps cannot understand... It brings to mind the new and different way Jimmy Hendricks approached the guitar and his reception or the way Jerry Lee Lewis played the piano as opposed to classically trained pianists. Would we be disrespectful "playing around" with the instrument?
Amber,
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed the musical selection for this week. I think it's interesting that you mentioned the different ways in which we can interpret music and musical instruments. Often interpreting an instrument in an unorthodox manner can lead to unique methods of producing sound through that instrument. While using the Sachs-Horbostel classification system does allow a listener to register and classify a sound sample, it is crucial for the listener to recognize and explore how other cultures classify their instruments. By uncovering this information, the listener can gain further insight into the cultural significance of an instrument, and the cultural context which it is played. Great post!
wow
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