ARTS: Folk Music

[Kokuu]

To relate back to Zen (somewhat!). What does everyone know about Japanese folk songs and traditions? I have found music for a few tunes with names like sakura (cherry blossom) but they are unfamiliar to me.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Kotei]

Hello,
before practicing Shakuhachi with Honkyoku ('original pieces', once played by Komuso 'Zen monks'),
I practiced some simple Min'yo (folk songs) and children melodies as first steps. My teacher had Koto recordings as backing.
Sadly, I don't know much about that genre.
Sakura, very popular in Japan, was among them. Also Kojo no Tsuki (The Moon over the Ruined Castle), Oedo-Nihonbashi (O-Edo Bridge) and such ;-).

Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

To relate back to Zen (somewhat!). What does everyone know about Japanese folk songs and traditions? I have found music for a few tunes with names like sakura (cherry blossom) but they are unfamiliar to me.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Seiko]

Hello,
before practicing Shakuhachi with Honkyoku ('original pieces', once played by Komuso 'Zen monks'),
I practiced some simple Min'yo (folk songs) and children melodies as first steps. My teacher had Koto recordings as backing while practicing.
Sadly, I don't know much about that genre.
Sakura, very popular in Japan, was among them. Also Kojo no Tsuki (The Moon over the Ruined Castle), Oedo-Nihonbashi (O-Edo Bridge) and such ;-).

Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

Hello Kotei,
It sounds beautiful, and perhaps something that I might like to try (I play many blown instruments).
Can we hear you play please?

In Gassho
Seiko
stlah

[Kotei]

Hello Kotei,
It sounds beautiful, and perhaps something that I might like to try (I play many blown instruments).
Can we hear you play please?

Trying to remember and stumbling along wouldn't be a pleasure to listen to

but here is a version of Kojo no Tsuki played by Goro Yamaguchi:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgQEKpnYmCg

and here a westernized version of it, played by Thelonious Monk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD1p95nyeEc

Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

[Gareth]

I had a go at Scarborough Fair

https://vimeo.com/512301502

Gassho,
Gareth

Sat today

[krissydear]

I had a go at Scarborough Fair

https://vimeo.com/512301502

Gassho,
Gareth

Sat today

this was wonderful. I really love the vibrato. very well done. I'd love to hear more from you.

Gassho
krissy
sat

[Gareth]

this was wonderful. I really love the vibrato. very well done. I'd love to hear more from you.

Gassho
krissy
sat

Thank you very much! I really like the song.

Gassho,
Gareth

Sat today

[Shinshou]

Hi Seiko!

I am a big fan of traditional/folk music and play an Irish style flat-backed mandolin made by Ashbury from cedar wood. Mostly I like northern European folk traditions including British/Irish, Breton and Scandinavian music.

However, for some time I have been learning this Bulgarian dance tune called Mominsko Horo which skips through timings such as 14/8, 13/8, 9/8 and 16/8!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONBhzcTxJOU

As for listening, musicians and bands I enjoy include Capercaillie (Scotland), Robin Williamson (Scotland), Catherine-Ann MacPhee (Scotland/Gaelic), Julie Fowlis (Scotland/Gaelic), John Renbourn (England), Martin Carthy (England), Alan Stivell (France/Breton), Jim Moray (England), Planxty (Ireland), Matt Molloy (Ireland), The Bothy Band (Ireland), Myrkur (Denmark), Garmarna (Sweden), Agnes Buen Garnås (Norway), Fairport Convention (England), The Unthanks (NE England).

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

Wow, Kokuu, that's great, and those meter changes are wonderful. I play mandolin as well (American A style), but mostly straightforward bluegrass. I'd love to give this tune a shot, thanks for posting.

Shinshou (Daniel)
Sat Today

[Seiko]

Here's a nice song. Shame about the poor quality of the singer (me). https://www.instagram.com/tv/CLtZR9i...=1fcv8qglxn91n

In Gassho
Seiko
stlah