Just in case some reader have looked at the News section of Rolling Coconuts recently and wondered "What on earth is that?"......
JVC is releasing tomorrow Japan time an ukulele album containing some of the songs that were big during the heyday of a old TV program (basically the 1980s).
Best Hit UKE (probably read U-K-E) is a take-off on the old Japanese TV music program "Best Hit USA". The gent on the cover holding the Kamaka pineable, Kobayashi Katsuya, used to host the pop/rock music video program back in the days before MTV really made it to Japan. It aired late Saturday nights and had occasional interviews with musicians visiting Japan.
The album contains:
01. Surfside Freeway (the program's theme song)
02. Thriller (Kuricorder Quartet)
03. Living on a Prayer (Nomura Yoshio)
04. Ebony and Ivory (Kondo Kenji of Kuricorder)
05. Every Breath You Take (Nomura Yoshio)
06. Take on Me (Matsui Tomotaka＆Sweet Hollywaiians)
07. Like a Virgin (Kondo Kenji)
08. Let's Dance (Nomura Yoshio)
09. Time After Time (Matsui Tomotaka＆Sweet Hollywaiians)
10. Purple Rain (Kondo Kenji)
11. Karma Chameleon (Kuricorder Quartet)
12.Wake me up before you go-go (Katsu Seiji & Ukulele Eiji）
13. There Must be an Angel (Sekiguchi Kazuyuki)
Unfortunately, Victor's website does not have any song samples. Perhaps Tower Records Japan will have something up tomorrow.
Incidentally, there seems to be a younger Kobayashi Katsuya--an actor I know nothing about. They are obviously not the same people.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Pops and Hawaiian
Out of curiosity, I decided to find out how many of what kinds of ukulele classes are on offer around Tokyo. The reasoning was that this should show to some extent what kind of demand there is.
Pops and Hawaiian are pretty much king. There are a few places offering other kinds of music, such as swing or some jazz, but in total terms, it does look like Hawaiian and Pops are about 45% and 45%.
Pops and Hawaiian are pretty much king. There are a few places offering other kinds of music, such as swing or some jazz, but in total terms, it does look like Hawaiian and Pops are about 45% and 45%.
1,000 person ukulele
It's pretty late notice, but there is the 1,000-person ukulele event going at the Yokohama Hawaii Festival tomorrow opening at 1PM. You can download the PDF for Hawai'i Aloha, the song to be played, here. This link will take you to the musicians from Hawaii that are playing there this weekend. For those that are interested, there are also some hula events.
Unfortunately, I am scheduled to be at a different ukulele event this Sunday.
Unfortunately, I am scheduled to be at a different ukulele event this Sunday.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Tin jaPan Alley
A couple of weeks ago Chiyodad wrote:
As an instrument, it is not taken so seriously. In a group of people recently, one person introduced his friend as being able to play the ukulele really well. Most listening laughed. I remained cowardly silent.
Hawaiian is very much in the forefront of many--that and Takagi Boo, whom I wrote about 22 June last year.
Ironically, Jake Shimabukuro is one player that seems to be diversifying that image. Tsuji Ayano is well-known here more as a pop musician than as an ukulele-player.
Ohashi Hidehiko has put collections of music such as bossa nova for ukulele. There are gobs of books available for pop songs, some jazz, bundles of Hawaiian, and even some classical music. But, as for TPA, it is a bit sparse, with perhaps the exception of Janet Klein fans here and an Osaka-based group. (Their name escapes me right now, but I think I have made reference to them somewhere.)
I guess that in some ways that is not too surprising. During the time TPA was big in the US, Japan and the US were not in the best of terms and it wasn't a particularly happy time for Japan in general.
Personally, I would love to get my hands on some Fats Waller for the uke.
One of the exceptions I hinted at above was enka (Japanese country??). Some of the people who started playing ukulele during its first boom here are getting older and settling back into some more familiar music. I know several of these that play enka on the ukulele. To me that would be like playing blues on the bagpipes, but to each his own.
PS Sorry to take so long in getting back to you!
The TPA theme is less-encountered in Hawaii. In California, there's a mix; but it still is predominantly Hawaiian. The East Coast seems to lean more towards TPA.The impression you have is pretty much the impression I have with some exceptions.
Are there similar theme associations in Japan? The impression that I get is that it is predominantly Hawaiian, with an infusion of Modern Jazz and Pop.
As an instrument, it is not taken so seriously. In a group of people recently, one person introduced his friend as being able to play the ukulele really well. Most listening laughed. I remained cowardly silent.
Hawaiian is very much in the forefront of many--that and Takagi Boo, whom I wrote about 22 June last year.
Ironically, Jake Shimabukuro is one player that seems to be diversifying that image. Tsuji Ayano is well-known here more as a pop musician than as an ukulele-player.
Ohashi Hidehiko has put collections of music such as bossa nova for ukulele. There are gobs of books available for pop songs, some jazz, bundles of Hawaiian, and even some classical music. But, as for TPA, it is a bit sparse, with perhaps the exception of Janet Klein fans here and an Osaka-based group. (Their name escapes me right now, but I think I have made reference to them somewhere.)
I guess that in some ways that is not too surprising. During the time TPA was big in the US, Japan and the US were not in the best of terms and it wasn't a particularly happy time for Japan in general.
Personally, I would love to get my hands on some Fats Waller for the uke.
One of the exceptions I hinted at above was enka (Japanese country??). Some of the people who started playing ukulele during its first boom here are getting older and settling back into some more familiar music. I know several of these that play enka on the ukulele. To me that would be like playing blues on the bagpipes, but to each his own.
PS Sorry to take so long in getting back to you!
Kobayashi's Ukulele Method book
Well, I broke my promise to myself and ordered Kobayashi's book without looking at it first. I've got the CD coming out the speakers as I type. So far, so good.
The table of contents is broken up into three sections: exercises for the left hand, exercises for the right hand, and practice songs.
Had I been the editor, I would have broken the last section into two. Pages 58-78 contain a collection of practice pieces of varying lengths (8 bars-over 40 bars) and of graded difficulties noted by numbers of stars. Following the practice pieces are songs from Kobayashi's albums, mostly his own compositions. These do not really seem to be graded, but are simpler versions of what he put on his albums--and sanely so.
Working backwards, the section on the right hand (pages 46-56) is considerably shorter than the section for the left (pages 6-44). The right hand section focuses on using the thumb, arpeggios using multiple fingers, and rhythm patterns. There are 43 rhythm patterns introduced, but unfortunately, these are not included in the accompanying CD. The arpeggio practices are included.
The left hand practices what most would expect, scale training, hammer-ons, pull-off, slides, stuccato, and the like. One part of this section that I am looking forward to working with most is almost in the dead middle--diad positions in keys C and F. These should be pretty useful for adding a little color to arrangements.
Am I happy with the purchase? So far, it looks good and I am looking forward to being able to say that I have worked my way through it. But, I will really need to work through the material in the book before I can responsibly give it thumbs up or down.
The table of contents is broken up into three sections: exercises for the left hand, exercises for the right hand, and practice songs.
Had I been the editor, I would have broken the last section into two. Pages 58-78 contain a collection of practice pieces of varying lengths (8 bars-over 40 bars) and of graded difficulties noted by numbers of stars. Following the practice pieces are songs from Kobayashi's albums, mostly his own compositions. These do not really seem to be graded, but are simpler versions of what he put on his albums--and sanely so.
Working backwards, the section on the right hand (pages 46-56) is considerably shorter than the section for the left (pages 6-44). The right hand section focuses on using the thumb, arpeggios using multiple fingers, and rhythm patterns. There are 43 rhythm patterns introduced, but unfortunately, these are not included in the accompanying CD. The arpeggio practices are included.
The left hand practices what most would expect, scale training, hammer-ons, pull-off, slides, stuccato, and the like. One part of this section that I am looking forward to working with most is almost in the dead middle--diad positions in keys C and F. These should be pretty useful for adding a little color to arrangements.
Am I happy with the purchase? So far, it looks good and I am looking forward to being able to say that I have worked my way through it. But, I will really need to work through the material in the book before I can responsibly give it thumbs up or down.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Laula
Summer is here and Japan's ukulele scene is ramping up. It seems everyone is putting something out last month or this. Today's new introduction includes one of those.
A duet that has made mention here a couple of times but never properly introduced is Laula. (Linked page in Japanese.) Rinkai Hiroshi plays ukulele and Matsui Takashi plays guitar and sings. Readers of Rolling Coconuts or owner of any RC/Geneon compliations have without doubt encountered this pair.
Rinkai's mother apparently is heavily into hula, starting her son off on ukulele. Both members were born in Fujisawa, more or less next door to Kamakura, one of Japan's ancient capitols. It seems the combination of birth place and interests gives them their direction in choices of songs to record. They seem to focus on songs about the area from which they come and Hawaiian standards.
They released their "Double Rainbow Best of Laula" on 6 June this year. The double album also comes with a DVD. If this kind of music is your kind of thing, you can have a listen to some of their songs here.
A duet that has made mention here a couple of times but never properly introduced is Laula. (Linked page in Japanese.) Rinkai Hiroshi plays ukulele and Matsui Takashi plays guitar and sings. Readers of Rolling Coconuts or owner of any RC/Geneon compliations have without doubt encountered this pair.
Rinkai's mother apparently is heavily into hula, starting her son off on ukulele. Both members were born in Fujisawa, more or less next door to Kamakura, one of Japan's ancient capitols. It seems the combination of birth place and interests gives them their direction in choices of songs to record. They seem to focus on songs about the area from which they come and Hawaiian standards.
They released their "Double Rainbow Best of Laula" on 6 June this year. The double album also comes with a DVD. If this kind of music is your kind of thing, you can have a listen to some of their songs here.
Kobayashi Kiyoshi albums
Mr. Kobayashi has been keeping himself busy.
On June 27, he released his new album of classical music, "Ukulele Adagio Vol.1". As the title implies, there will be a Volume 2; it's release date is set for July 25. On July 26, he also plans a promotional concert in Tokyo's Shinjuku area.
Volume 1 includes:
1 Jesus, Joy of Man’s Desiring (J.S.Bach)
2 Schon Rosmarin (Kreisler)
3 Piano Sonata No.8 In C Minor ’Pathetique’ Op.13-Ⅱ. Adagio Cantabile (Beethoven)
4 Rondo (Carcassi)
5 String Quintet, Op 13 No.5 Minuet (Boccherini)
6 Orchestral Suite No.3: Air (J.S.Bach)
7 Walzer Donauwellen (Ivanovici)
8 Zwolf Variation Cdur K.265 uber “Ah, vous dirai-je, Mana” (W.A. Mozart)
9 Traumerei (Kinderszenen) (Shumann)
10 Adagio (Albinoni/arr.Giazotto)
There are some samples available at Japan's Tower Records. Tower Records in Japan is still alive and kicking.
Samples of Volume 2 will probably come online after the album is released.
On June 27, he released his new album of classical music, "Ukulele Adagio Vol.1". As the title implies, there will be a Volume 2; it's release date is set for July 25. On July 26, he also plans a promotional concert in Tokyo's Shinjuku area.
Volume 1 includes:
1 Jesus, Joy of Man’s Desiring (J.S.Bach)
2 Schon Rosmarin (Kreisler)
3 Piano Sonata No.8 In C Minor ’Pathetique’ Op.13-Ⅱ. Adagio Cantabile (Beethoven)
4 Rondo (Carcassi)
5 String Quintet, Op 13 No.5 Minuet (Boccherini)
6 Orchestral Suite No.3: Air (J.S.Bach)
7 Walzer Donauwellen (Ivanovici)
8 Zwolf Variation Cdur K.265 uber “Ah, vous dirai-je, Mana” (W.A. Mozart)
9 Traumerei (Kinderszenen) (Shumann)
10 Adagio (Albinoni/arr.Giazotto)
There are some samples available at Japan's Tower Records. Tower Records in Japan is still alive and kicking.
Samples of Volume 2 will probably come online after the album is released.
Method Book Breakdown
A quick check of the DOREMI publishing company website a couple of days ago has revealed that the publication of Kiyoshi Kobayashi’s “Ukulele Method” book has indeed been pushed back to the middle of this month. No reason was given, but they are at least now taking advanced orders for it.
Unfortunately, that means that it is probably going to be several weeks before I get the chance to even look at it…unless a local shop here starts carrying it. There is one shop here in town that may have it a week or so after it comes out.
Unfortunately, that means that it is probably going to be several weeks before I get the chance to even look at it…unless a local shop here starts carrying it. There is one shop here in town that may have it a week or so after it comes out.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Places for ukulele books in Tokyo
On a recent run down to Tokyo, I had a peek at the revamped Yamano Music store in Ginza. They have managed to cram more ukulele material in their third-floor music book section than any music store I visited Hawaii--or anywhere else I have visited. Those in their Ginza shop can take the elevator or escalator to the third floor, go through the entrance to the floor room and look the the lower section of the bookshelves just next to ones to your immediate right.
Probably the only place in Japan to see more is to order it online from Gakufu Net.
Akio Instruments perhaps has the biggest seclection of English language Ukulele books in Tokyo that I know of. Click the button on the middle of their web page to get a pop-up map to his shop. If you are visiting Japan from overseas, it might be best to get the English books elsewhere. Some of the books there are a bit more than you would pay outside Japan.
Both Yamano and Akio sell ukulele and Hawiian CDs as well.
Probably the only place in Japan to see more is to order it online from Gakufu Net.
Akio Instruments perhaps has the biggest seclection of English language Ukulele books in Tokyo that I know of. Click the button on the middle of their web page to get a pop-up map to his shop. If you are visiting Japan from overseas, it might be best to get the English books elsewhere. Some of the books there are a bit more than you would pay outside Japan.
Both Yamano and Akio sell ukulele and Hawiian CDs as well.
New Ukulele Method book
Kiyoshi Kobayashi is coming out with a new ukulele method book and CD soon. The English title is simply "Ukulele Method", but a direct translation of the Japanese title would run something like "Ukulele Method--Effective Training Book for Each Finger".
When this 96-page volume does come out, it will be interesting to see exactly what the contents are. The blurb on the publisher's website claims it is a "practical and effective pratice method for beginners playing for the first time to players that want to bring their performances to a higher level".
In an interview with "Rolling Coconuts", the author discussed the fact that even he has to make the effort of practicing with all his fingers and noted the fact that he does not always use his little finger as effectively as he would like. The implication seems to be "use this book to give all your fingers the workout". Being about US$30--￥2,625 including tax, I would like to get a look at it before plopping down the dough.
Supposedly, the book was due to come out tomorrow, but both the publisher's and Amazon Japan's website are a little vague about the exact date. It leads one to speculate that there may have been some last minute trouble of some sort. I have to run down to Tokyo in a week or two. I hope I can have a good look at it then.
When this 96-page volume does come out, it will be interesting to see exactly what the contents are. The blurb on the publisher's website claims it is a "practical and effective pratice method for beginners playing for the first time to players that want to bring their performances to a higher level".
In an interview with "Rolling Coconuts", the author discussed the fact that even he has to make the effort of practicing with all his fingers and noted the fact that he does not always use his little finger as effectively as he would like. The implication seems to be "use this book to give all your fingers the workout". Being about US$30--￥2,625 including tax, I would like to get a look at it before plopping down the dough.
Supposedly, the book was due to come out tomorrow, but both the publisher's and Amazon Japan's website are a little vague about the exact date. It leads one to speculate that there may have been some last minute trouble of some sort. I have to run down to Tokyo in a week or two. I hope I can have a good look at it then.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Ukulele Magazine volume 1
Rittor Music has released volume one of "Ukulele Magazine" with the cooperation of Rolling Coconuts. The 130 page-magazine comes with a CD which includes some of the learning material covered in the last third of the publication. The songs included as learning material are James Hill's "Down Rideau Canal", Bach's Jesus Bleibet Meine Freude (BWV147), "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes", and "S'Wonderful". There are chords and strums for nine other songs, as well. Some of the strumming section is presented by Iwao and demonstrates some ways to bring your playing out of beginner mode and into a more intermediate arena.
There is also some description of the "three chords" idea, why they work, and how to expand on them. It give patterns in the keys of C, G, F, and A.
The first half of the magazine includes information on the various Japanese and other ukuleles available here and introductions to some of the larger shops in Tokyo and Osaka. One interesting side-bit is Iwao's confession of now using T's ukuleles primarily.
It can be order through Amazon Japan. If you are in Japan, quite a few music and bookstores are carrying.
A blurb at the back of the magazine claims that Rittor intends to make Ukulele Magazine an annual publication.
There is also some description of the "three chords" idea, why they work, and how to expand on them. It give patterns in the keys of C, G, F, and A.
The first half of the magazine includes information on the various Japanese and other ukuleles available here and introductions to some of the larger shops in Tokyo and Osaka. One interesting side-bit is Iwao's confession of now using T's ukuleles primarily.
It can be order through Amazon Japan. If you are in Japan, quite a few music and bookstores are carrying.
A blurb at the back of the magazine claims that Rittor intends to make Ukulele Magazine an annual publication.
Ukulele Picnic 2007 Pre-event
Ukulele Picnic 2007, a free admission, big-name ukulele bash, is coming up 18 August. I will be be bringing some of the details to this blog in the very near future.
More pressing is the pre-event. On 16 July, there will be a concert given by many of the musicians performing at the main even in August. Those appearing at the pre-event include Sekiguchi Kazuyuki, Iwao, Arizato Tomoka, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, yoheiOKAMOTO, Ukulele Eiji, Ukulele Elvis, Alani Ohana Band, Dan, and Hirai Dai. (Hirai Dai is a 16-year-old protegy that will probably a big name in another 5-6 years. He was one of the opening acts at last year's Ukulele Super Jam.)
Tickets are 3,000 yen and include a drink at the venue, the DUO Music Exchange.
More details are available at the website. This link will lead you to a page covering all the various Ukulele Picnic info. Information on the pre-event is about 1/5 up from the bottom of this long page.
There will also be an "Ukulele Picnic four strings, for life" coming out in July. You can get some previews of some of the songs here.
More pressing is the pre-event. On 16 July, there will be a concert given by many of the musicians performing at the main even in August. Those appearing at the pre-event include Sekiguchi Kazuyuki, Iwao, Arizato Tomoka, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, yoheiOKAMOTO, Ukulele Eiji, Ukulele Elvis, Alani Ohana Band, Dan, and Hirai Dai. (Hirai Dai is a 16-year-old protegy that will probably a big name in another 5-6 years. He was one of the opening acts at last year's Ukulele Super Jam.)
Tickets are 3,000 yen and include a drink at the venue, the DUO Music Exchange.
More details are available at the website. This link will lead you to a page covering all the various Ukulele Picnic info. Information on the pre-event is about 1/5 up from the bottom of this long page.
There will also be an "Ukulele Picnic four strings, for life" coming out in July. You can get some previews of some of the songs here.
Monday, May 28, 2007
temporary suspension
My apologies for having not regularly posted recently. I will resume posting at the end of June. A family tragedy has occurred.
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