John Benedict Vocales BSED MAPEH 4

I. Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
1. Identify the different instruments of Japan
2. Appreciate the instrumental music of Japan through video presentation
3. Create a simple rhythmic pattern similar to Japanese instrumental music using
improvised instruments

II. Learning Content:

A. Subject Matter
Music: Instrumental Music of Japan
B. Learning Resources
Grade 8 Music Teaching Guide
C. Materials
Activity Sheets, Laptop, Projector, Instruments and Materials that can be used as
instruments
D. Strategies
Use of patterns to create music
E. Time Frame
1 hour

III. Learning Procedure

Teacher’s Task Learners’ Task

A. Introduction
1. Preliminaries
“Good afternoon class.” “Good afternoon maam.”

“Please stand for the prayer.” Prayer

“Please all be seated.”

Further instruction

2. Review

“Yesterday, we discussed about vocal music “Yesterday we have discussed about vocal
of japan. Can someone share with the class music of japan which has two modes Yo sen
his/her learning?” and Insen.”
 “We learned about Sakura song which means
cherry blossoms”
“Very good. Thank you.”

3. Motivational activity
“Today we will have a new topic but before
that I want you to watch the video projected
on the screen”

Teacher shows video about Gagaku ensemble.

“ That was gagaku ensemble a court music of

Japan”

Questions:
1. What are the types of instruments that “Percussion, string and blowing instruments”
are used in the performance?
2. What is the tempo and rhythm of the “Irregular tempo and rhythm”
music?
3. How do the musicians play their “They play by tapping, strumming and
instruments? blowing there instruments.

“Alright, thank you.”

4. Introduction of Topic

“Today, we will learn about the instrumental

music of Japan. Traditional Japanese music is
basically meditative in character. Its
performance is highly ritualized, as much in
the music itself, as in the composure of the
musicians when performing it. Japanese
chamber and solo music have a slow
meditative pace”.
The performance of Japanese music has
traditionally been of a spiritual character,
similarly to martial arts and other forms of art
such as the tea ceremony and calligraphy. It is
usually about religious festivals, work, dance,
love, and regional songs. Audiences are
looking for this self-mastery in musicians.
This is the reason why music has become
highly ritualized. Musicians must show this
spiritual self-mastery in their performance and
composure. They work on an inner strength in
mastering his or her instrument, more than
simply perfecting a technique of some sort
and providing entertainment.
B. Lesson Proper/Presentation

Discussion of different musical instruments of

Japan and classification of instruments by
Hornbostel –Sachs classification of musical
instruments.

Percussion Instruments Students Listen while the teacher discusses

(Membranophone): the lesson.

Odaiko- (big drum). The physical energy and

sheer excitement of an Odaiko performance is
an integral part of many Japanese matsuri
(festivals).

Tsuzumi (hourglass-shape) – There are two

varieties, the smaller kotsuzumi and the larger
otsuzumi. They are used in both noh and
kabuki performances. The kotsuzumi is held
on the right shoulder and the player alters the
tone by squeezing the laces. The otsuzumi is
placed on the left thigh. Like all other
traditional arts in Japan, there are several
schools of tsuzumimatsuri (festivals).

Taiko - is a Japanese drum that comes in

various sizes and is used to play a variety of
musical genres. It has become particularly
popular in recent years as the central
instrument of percussion ensembles whose
repertory is based on a variety of folk and
festival music of the past.

Tsuridaiko – a large hanging barrel drum

String Instruments (Chordophone):

Koto - is a 13-string zither, about two meters

long and made of Paulownia wood. It is
plucked using picks on the thumb and first
two fingers of the right hand, while the left
hand can be used to modify pitch and tone.
Koto is used in an ensemble in gagaku or as a
solo instrument.

Shamisen- is a plucked stringed instrument.

Its construction follows a model similar to
that of a guitar or a banjo, employing a neck,
and strings stretched across a resonating body.
The neck of the shamisen is fretless, and is
slimmer than that of a guitar or a banjo.

Biwa - is a Japanese short-necked fretted lute,

often used in narrative storytelling. The biwa
is the chosen instrument of Benten, the
goddess of music, eloquence, poetry, and
education in Japanese Shinto.

Wind Instruments (Aerophone):

Shakuhachi- the most famous flute made

from bamboo. It has 4 or 5 finger holes on the
front face and a thumbhole on the rear face.
As with other instruments above, it was
imported from China for gagaku.

Nokan - a parallel, bamboo flute (fue) is the

only melodic instrument used in noh. The
melody of the flute has no specific pitch
relationship with the melody of the chanting.

Hichiriki - is a double reed Japanese fue

(flute) used as one of two main melodic
instruments in Japanese gagaku music, the
other being the ryūteki.

Sho - is a Japanese free reed musical

instrument that was introduced from China
during the Nara period.

Shinobue – also called takebue in the context

of Japanese traditional arts) is a Japanese
transverse flute or fue that has a high-pitched
sound.

Ryūteki - literally "dragon flute" is a

Japanese transverse fue made of bamboo. It is
used in gagaku.
C. Developmental Activities
1. Activity
Form a circle and sit down. A box with
different pictures of instruments are printed
and rolled in papers which will be passed
around. Each one of you will pick one paper
and describe the picture that you got.

2. Analysis

“Why does Japanese instrumental music uses
irregular tempo and rhythm?”
“What instruments can substitute Japanese
Musical instruments?”
“The Japanese musicians focus more on
spiritual mastery rather than improving their
skill.”
“Bongos, Congas, Flutes and Rondalla
instruments.

“What indigenous or recycled materials can

be used as musical instruments that can
imitate Japanese musical instruments?”

3. Abstraction

“At this point I want you to watch and listen Students watch the performance of gagaku
to a musical performance of Gagaku musical musical ensemble.
ensemble”
4. Application
“Now that you have already listened to the
music of Gagaku musical ensemble, we will
have an activity.”
Are you ready? “Yes Sir!”

“Instructions: Imitating the style of the

Gagaku ensemble, create your own Gagaku
music using improvised or substitute
instruments that would imitate the sound of
japanese instruments.”

IV. Evaluation
Direction: For your activity, you will be given an activity sheet. There are pictures of
instruments printed on the activity sheet. Name the instruments and classify them according to
Hornbostel-Sachs classification.

“Now that you’re done, we will check your work. Exchange your worksheets following a
counter clockwise direction.”
V. Assignment
Find a partner.Using indegenous or recycled materials. Based on what we have discussed
create any japanese musical instrument