Sound Samples
Below are some Shomyo Workshop sound samples. Click the start button to listen the sample.
| Sange |
| Vocales |
| Canon |
- Click the photo to enlarge -
Contents of a shomyo
workshop
The shomyo workshop by Junko Ueda contains
five aspects:
1: Introduction Japanese traditional music
In the workshop, we are going to experience
to sing the melody-patterns of Tendai-shomyo, which has
been succeeded from generation to generation for more than
1200 years until today. Also, we will practise the vocal
music that is regarded as fundamental for Japanese
traditional music. The outline of the history of the
Buddhist music, which has travelled from original India,
through the countries between (Tibet, China, Korea), to
Japan, will be explained. We will listen some recordings of
Buddhist chanting of other countries. We will also talk
about the development of shomyo music in the 20th century
in Japan. Also there will be explained how the movement of
breathing appears as an expression of voice. References to
other Japanese cultural examples will be regarded (e.g.
Shodô/Japanese calligraphy).
2: Enjoyment of a group singing
Singing together is a great enjoyment. A person who
normally feels shy to sing can join the group-style
singing. We use normal talking voice for singing and no
special knowledge of singing or music is required. Using
several melody patterns of traditional shomyo, five vowels
and ceremonial movements (sitting, standing, walking) as
materials, we are going to create a group singing and to
enjoy the sound that will appear as a result.
3: Singing is healthy
In general it is said that producing voice is good for
health. In the workshop, we are also going to work on the
breathing system. For various people, this will be a
wonderful experience to feel your breathing, which happens
usually unconscious in our common life.
4: Spiritual approach
The stream of breath by the breathing system; the aspect of
the voices appearing from the result of the breath; a
spontaneous “Timing – MA (in Japanese)” born from the
moment of the inhaling. We will experience “Silence – JAKU”
from music which will appear by exercising these aspects.
5: For instrument player and vocalist
Especially for the players who play an instrument that is
produced by breathing, a hint of the abdominal breathing
will be studied. Also, a hint of the articulation and sound
colour will be introduced, which will help to enrich one’s
instrumental playing.
Duration of
a shomyo workshop
Here you
will find the recommended duration for a workshop.
- For a one time event: about 3 hours.
- For a repeated event (daily, weekly, or others): about 2 hours each event. The repeated workshop includes the studying of some traditional pieces of Tendai-shomyo.
Past shomyo workshops include:
- Aula de Musicas, music school (Madrid, Spain), monthly workshop
- Conservatorio profesional de musica de Getafe (Getafe, Spain) – two days event
- Carmen de San Onofre (Granada, Spain) – weekly event
- Private lesson (Amsterdam, Holland) – monthly event
- World Music Festival Rotterdam (Rotterdam, Holland) – one day event
- Athens National Concervatory (Athens, Greece) - one day event with presentation
- De Singel, Conservatorium Antwerpen (Belgium) - one day event, followed by concert
- Hochschule für Musik Würzburg (Germany) - one day event for Japan week
- Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Lyon (France) - one day event
- Vooruit, Gent (Belgium) - at IETM conference 'OneOnOne'
- Arkas Concert Hall, Sasebo (Japan) – one day event
- Enmeiji Temple, Aoto (Tokyo) – one day event
For more information click here to send a message.