Traditional GRADE 8

Asian
Theater
Music
MR. IVAN PHILIP S. MUÑEZ
OBJECTIVES;
• describes the instruments that accompany Kabuki,
Wayang Kulit, Peking Opera;

• identifies musical characteristics of selected Asian

musical theater through video films or live
performances;

• describes how a specific idea or story is

communicated through music in a particular Asian
musical theater.

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TRADITIONAL
ASIAN THEATER
MUSIC
A. WAYANG KULIT
Wayang Kulit, or shadow puppets, is the best known of
the Indonesian Wayang.

“Kulit” means skin, and refers to the leather

construction of the puppets that are carefully shaped with
very fine tools and supported with carefully shaped
buffalo horn handles and control rods.

TRADITIONAL ASIAN THEATER MUSIC

Instrument that
accompanies the
Indonesian Wayang
Kulit
The Gamelan
this ensemble is the heart of art music of
Indonesia because it performs a vital part
in establishing the moods and
emphasizing the action of the plays.
The Gamelan Consists of the • SARON

following instruments: 1. It is the basic melodic instruments in Gamelan, it consisting of

bronze keys and played with a wooden mallet.

2. REBAB
it is a two-stringed bowed and a blown suling flute that
enhances the melody.

3. GENDER PANERUS-
1. it is the highest pitch in gender family.

4. GENDER PANEMBUNG/SLENTEM
1. it plays the lowest pitch in gender family.
Three basic functions of Gamelan
music:

• Serves as basic melody.

• Provides enhancement needed
for the plays
• Utilized to emphasize distinct
melodies using different gongs

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TRADITIONAL
ASIAN THEATER
MUSIC
B. KABUKI

Kabuki comprises of three Japanese characters:

· “ka” means “songs”
· “bu” means “dance”
· “ki” means “skill"

TRADITIONAL ASIAN THEATER MUSIC

Instruments and Music
that accompany the
Japanese theater Kabuki
 • HYOSHIGI

also known as “ki” and “tanniki”. This wooden clapper is used in ceremonial music to signal the
beginning and the end of the performance.

2. HAYASHI
any of various combinations of flute and percussion instruments.

3. DEBAYASHI
it is divided into two consisting of a song or chant and with a highly dramatic recitation
with shamisen as musical accompaniment.

4. HYUDORODORO

by playing the flute and drum it used to mark the appearance of the ghost.

5. GEZA

this music used as special effects in Kabuki. It also enhances the style of music through
the use of specials drums, gongs, bells, and cymb
TRADITIONAL
ASIAN THEATER
MUSIC
C. PEKING OPERA

China is known for their traditional theater art

form, the Peking opera, or Beijing opera which
combines music, vocal performance,
pantomime, dance, and acrobatics.

TRADITIONAL ASIAN THEATER MUSIC

Instruments and Music
that accompany the
Peking Opera
 1. SOLO SONG – ARIAS
Is an example of a solo music that portrays one of the characters.

2. MUSICAL SPEECH
is where the actors are speaking through music

3. INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Classified into two:

• Wuchang, which is a military instrumentation, most of the

instruments are percussion;
• Wenchang, which means civic instrumentation
THANK
YOU!

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