Shomyo Workshop - ancient voices in a contemporary society

About Shomyo
a shomyo score
Shomyo is a Japanese vocal ritual music, usually sung by Buddhist monks, in which breath-control and breath-expression are being practiced. It originated in India and was introduced via Tibet and China to Japan. Each Buddhist sect has its own style of Shomyo singing. The Tendai-shû and Shingon-shû sects became the most musical and important representatives and have a history of about 1200 years.
Shomyo is characterized by its extended pitch-bending, a slow breathing technique and melismatic melody patterns, where time is imagined as a space in which the recited melody patterns are constantly piled up. Shomyo literally means “voice and wisdom” and is regarded as fundamental for all later Japanese music.

Click the start button below to listen to an sound sample of Kuyômon, sung by Junko Ueda




The Shomyo Workshop
sange-score
In this workshop for groups, the participants will study some ancient Japanese Buddhist sutras in the Tendai-Shomyo style. Further aim is to stimulate the use of a natural voice, a consciousness and control of breathing, an overall concentration and to lower the stress-level. Also the experience and enjoyment of singing together generates an energy and a positive group sensation in which participants may open their inner-self, exploring new and creative ways, guided by their voice and breath.

Below are some Shomyo Workshop sound samples. Click the start button to listen the sample.

Sange
Vocales
Canon


Junko Ueda teaching ShomyoShomyo workshop at Enmeiji temple, TokyoShomyo workshop at Hochschule, Wurzburg, Germany
Shomyo workshop at Conservatorio Profesional, Getafe, SpainShomyo workshop at Enmeiji temple, TokyoShomyo workshop Aula de Musicas, Madrid, Spain
- Click the photo to enlarge -

Basic Contents of the Workshop

  • Warming up: breathing exercises towards consciousness and the concept of a low gravity point and Japanese 'Hara'.
  • Shomyo singing: singing first Shomyo melody patterns and later a Shomyo chorus piece.
  • Singing the sutra 'Taiyo': Practicing the traditional Shomyo sutra 'Taiyo'. (only possible with a series of workshops)

Some Practicalities
  • The workshop can be held once, like a single event, or as a series of 2 or more workshops.
  • Proposed duration for a one-time workshop: 3 hours
  • Proposed duration for a series of 2 or more workshops: 2 hours for each workshop
  • Amount of participants: minimum 5, maximum 20
  • It is not necessary for the participants to have any kind of musical knowledge or musical talent. Anyone can join.
  • It is recommended for the participants to wear any style of casual clothes (better avoid high heels and neck-ties).
  • A workshop can be held in any quiet place with sufficient space to put chairs for the participants in a circle (no tables or so needed).
  • Language: English and Japanese (and basic Spanish and Dutch).

The Shomyo Workshops have been held in:
  • Aula de Musicas, music school (Madrid, Spain)
  • Conservatorio profesional de musica de Getafe (Getafe, Spain)
  • Carmen de San Onofre (Granada, Spain)
  • Private lesson at Studio E (Amsterdam, Holland)
  • World Music Festival Rotterdam (Rotterdam, Holland)
  • Athens National Concervatory (Athens, Greece)
  • De Singel, Conservatorium Antwerpen (Belgium)
  • Hochschule für Musik Würzburg (Germany)
  • Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Lyon (France)
  • Vooruit, Gent (Belgium) - at IETM conference 'OneOnOne'
  • Arkas Concert Hall, Sasebo (Japan)
  • Enmeiji Temple, Aoto (Tokyo, Japan)
  • Drama Institute, at Shinjuku Olympic Centre (Tokyo, Japan)
  • Flagey, Brussels (Belgium)
  • Dôgo Community Centre (Ehime, Japan)
  • Daishô-an (Yamagata, Japan)

For more information click here to send a message.