Chau, Rebecca. "Angel Beats! - Theme Of SSS (HD/HQ)." YouTube. YouTube, 13 Oct. 2011. Web. 22
Apr. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA-JiSa2jAs>
Filipino Folk Song. Carinosa. N.d. MP3.
Ephraim, Frank (2003). Escape to Manila: From Nazi Tyranny to Japanese Terror. University of Illinois
Press. p. 220. ISBN 9780252028458.
Maeda, Jun. "Piano Sheet Music -Angel Beats!Theme of Sss - Www.gangqinpu.com." Piano Sheet Music
-Angel Beats !Theme of SSS. Www.gangqinpu.com, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2014.
Maeda, Jun. Theme of SSS. Key, 2010. MP3.
Owen, Harold (2000). Music Theory Resource Book. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-511539-2.
"TAGALOG LANG Did You Know That Tagalog Lang Translates as "Tagalog Only" in
Tagalog?" Cariñosa, Filipino Folk Dance. Tagalog Lang, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2014.
Tendilla, Sanny. "Carinosa - Philippine Folk Dance (Instrumental with Music Score)." YouTube. YouTube,
12 Jan. 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvkNHk9FW6o>
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Conclusion
Conclusion
After the comparisons and contrasts of the two songs, it turns out that there is a huge difference between the music from Modern Japanese and Filipino folk songs. After careful differentiation, only a few elements such as some dynamics and organization are the same, but for the most part, almost all of the elements of music for the two songs are different.
Japan and Philippines developed from two different cultures. However way we look at it, even though the Philippines was invaded by Japan at one point, there is still a huge gap between the two cultures when it comes to music. But in the end, even though they are different, music is music, and however they may be, improvised or organized, homophonic or polyphonic, music gives different cultures the satisfaction of identity and unity.
Word count: 1,848
After the comparisons and contrasts of the two songs, it turns out that there is a huge difference between the music from Modern Japanese and Filipino folk songs. After careful differentiation, only a few elements such as some dynamics and organization are the same, but for the most part, almost all of the elements of music for the two songs are different.
Japan and Philippines developed from two different cultures. However way we look at it, even though the Philippines was invaded by Japan at one point, there is still a huge gap between the two cultures when it comes to music. But in the end, even though they are different, music is music, and however they may be, improvised or organized, homophonic or polyphonic, music gives different cultures the satisfaction of identity and unity.
Word count: 1,848
Contrasts
Contrasts
After looking at the similarities, there are still some elements of music that are left out. This is because of the differences between the music. Since these songs are from two different cultures, the differences are inevitable. Keep in mind that although the Japanese and Filipino cultures are from the Eastern World, they may be influenced by very different cultures, such as Britain for Modern Japanese Music and Spain for Filipino folk songs.
Link to the sheet music for "Theme of SSS"
Link to the sheet music for "Carinosa" (Video)
Elements of Music
Rhythm:
"Theme of SSS" (Japanese Modern)
"Theme of SSS"
After looking at the similarities, there are still some elements of music that are left out. This is because of the differences between the music. Since these songs are from two different cultures, the differences are inevitable. Keep in mind that although the Japanese and Filipino cultures are from the Eastern World, they may be influenced by very different cultures, such as Britain for Modern Japanese Music and Spain for Filipino folk songs.
Link to the sheet music for "Theme of SSS"
Link to the sheet music for "Carinosa" (Video)
Elements of Music
Rhythm:
"Theme of SSS" (Japanese Modern)
- Meter: 4/4
- Tempo of A: 82
- Tempo of A Prime and following: 95
- Slows down at the last repetition of A
- (Tempo really depends on the player)
- Meter: 3/4
- Tempo is very constant throughout the song, except for the beginning/intro.
- Also, the tempo is waltzy because it is used in the traditional Filipino dance called "Carinosa," as also known from the song's name.
Dynamics:
"Theme of SSS"
- Depending really on who plays it. Intro (or A) can be played as piano or pianissimo or the same volume as the rest of the piece. However, in the music sheet provided, A is in mezzopiano. The repeat in A is in mezzoforte and the rest is in fortissimo, until the end, which is the last repeat of A which is in mezzoforte. There is a crescendo in measures 23-24 building up to another repetition of A, however, it’s in a higher key.
- It is mostly played in forte. Most likely because of its used in dances and parades. There is not much dynamics to it because of its repetitiveness, just variations of the same melody.
Melody:
"Theme of SSS"
- In the Key of Gb, changes to the key of Ab
- It is conjunct in A then turns a little bit disjunct with the other instruments on top of repetition of A (A Prime).
- Uses the minor scale.
- Changes keys towards the end, approaching the repetition of A in a new key.
- Chords in:
- A: single notes (only a few double and triple notes)
- A': mostly double notes
- B: Mostly double to triple notes
- C: Double and Triple notes
- C': Quadruple notes
- A" (A in a higher key): double notes
(A, which is the intro, is repeated throughout the song, with different variations, making it the focused, or soul of the whole song.)
(A''', last repetition of A (ending of the song), but is in a higher key. It went from the key of Gb up to the key of Ab.)
"Carinosa"
- In the Key of F, although in some other versions, it is in a higher key.
- It is conjunct throughout, complimenting the harmony, no improvisations, just repetition.
- Key change in the last repetition. It went from the Key of F down to Bb.
- Predominantly repetition of B and C throughout the song, although some areas sound different only because of the harmonies used by other instrumentation.
- Does not repeat A in the end, but the harmony does.
Harmony:
"Theme of SSS"
- Chords in:
- A - no chords, rather using single notes as a backing track for the melody
- A' - mostly double note chords, making a variation of A
- B - over A, using double note chords and some single notes
- C - Double note chords until it's repetition which is...
- C' - usage mostly of triple note chords
- A"(A in a higher key) - two double-note chords but using mostly single notes to make harmonies, very similar to A, although in a higher key
- Tonality of the harmony focuses on the "home" key, which is Gb, however changes to Ab in the key change. The harmony stays mostly the same throughout the song, using variations of the main harmony in A.
"Carinosa"
- Chords in:
- A (intro) - triple-note chords
- B - triple-note chords
- C - triple-note chords
- B" - triple-note chords
- C" - triple-note chords
- B''' - triple-note chords (key change)
- C''' - triple-note chords (key change)
- A" - repetition of the harmony (only bass line) for A in the end (but in a different key)
- Chords used by:
- Backing guitar/piano - triple-note chords
- Strings (besides guitars)/violin - single-note harmonies
- Bass - single-note harmonies
- The tonality of the harmony focuses on the "home" key, having almost the same harmony throughout the whole song.
(Bass line for the intro)
(Bass line for the ending)
*note that the bass lines for both intro and the ending are similar, but in different keys.
Tone Color:
"Theme of SSS"
- The timbre for this song sounds mostly light/bright, although sounding melancholic due to the use of minor keys. These contrasting features make the song sound hopeful, as if in a battle, when one thinks about his/her painful past but still continuing on with his/her life, fighting through the obstacles he/she approaches. The timbre gives the song more mixed emotions, although leaning towards sadness.
"Carinosa"
- The timbre is light/bright, and it sounds sophisticated. The song/dance itself is supposed to be sophisticated, considering that carinosa means loving/affectionate one. This song is meant for courting, dancing with a lover. The emotion behind it is pretty happy, although it just mainly shows sophistication.
Instrumentation:
"Theme of SSS"
- Dominantly piano
- Violin
- Synthesizer for percussion
"Carinosa"
- Melody: guitar/piano
- Harmonies: multiple guitars or a piano, bass, and sometimes some other string ensemble. Traditionally, the song only uses multiple guitars as instrumentation and maybe a bass.
*Compared to the amount of similarities, there is a larger amount of differences.
Comparisons
Comparisons
It may be natural to think that Japanese and Filipino music have similarities (which is true) because the two cultures are both from the Eastern World. As we take a look at the two pieces, keep in mind that the Philippines, during the time period in which the song "Carinosa" was from, was not yet invaded by the Japanese, however it was under the rule of the Spaniards. For Japanese modern music, the Philippines might have influenced Japan's modern music after the invasion, or maybe not.
Link to the sheet music for "Theme of SSS"
Link to the sheet music of "Carinosa" (video)
Elements of Music
Rhythm: The two songs have the same syncopation, which is organized and no improvisations.
It may be natural to think that Japanese and Filipino music have similarities (which is true) because the two cultures are both from the Eastern World. As we take a look at the two pieces, keep in mind that the Philippines, during the time period in which the song "Carinosa" was from, was not yet invaded by the Japanese, however it was under the rule of the Spaniards. For Japanese modern music, the Philippines might have influenced Japan's modern music after the invasion, or maybe not.
Link to the sheet music for "Theme of SSS"
Link to the sheet music of "Carinosa" (video)
Elements of Music
Rhythm: The two songs have the same syncopation, which is organized and no improvisations.
Melody: Both songs use the pentatonic scale, both coming from the Eastern World.
Harmony: Both have consonant chords, meaning they both have smooth-sounding chords for harmonies.
Timbre: Both songs have light/bright timbre although they use predominantly minor chords.
Form: Very similar considering the repetition of one or two sections throughout the song, although using different instrumentation for each repetition (variation).
"Theme of SSS"
- ABCA, although can be categorized as binary due to the repetition of the melody, but different variations of it.
(This portion, A, is used throughout the song, repeating it in different variations using other instruments like the violin and the synthesizer.)
"Carinosa"
- ABCBCA, using A as the intro and the ending, and mostly repeating B and C mostly throughout the song
(This is section B of the song that is repeated throughout the song, but using different instrumentation as the backing track for the repetition.)
Texture: For the most part, the texture of the two songs is similar.
"Theme of SSS"
Mixture of homophonic and polyphonic
texture. It is mostly homophonic n A and A" (the beginning and
the end) because of the use of only the melody and the single-note
harmonies on the piano.
"Carinosa"
It is polyphonic throughout the song.
*The two songs do have a lot in common in some elements of music, but let's take a look at the differences, and see if they differ more.
Songs that Will Be Used...
The Songs
From Modern Japanese Music...
"Theme of SSS (Angel Beats! PV6)" by Jun Maeda
Original Version:
From Filipino Folk Songs...
"Cariñosa" a Filipino folk song from a traditional dance
A version with piano, a string ensemble, and a bass:
Original version with guitars:
From Modern Japanese Music...
"Theme of SSS (Angel Beats! PV6)" by Jun Maeda
Original Version:
Piano Version:
From Filipino Folk Songs...
"Cariñosa" a Filipino folk song from a traditional dance
A version with piano, a string ensemble, and a bass:
Original version with guitars:
*the bolded versions are used for the comparison and differentiation purposes
Introduction
Introduction
Japan
Japan is a small island country in East Asia. Culturally, they are not very well known for their traditional music/folk songs. The most popular folk song that is known from their culture is "Sakura," or in English, "Cherry Blossoms." Although this song is a bit irrelevant from the song that will be presented in this website for comparison purposes, this is an origin of the modern Japanese music, with the use of the pentatonic scale (very commonly used in the Eastern world music). Furthermore, I will be talking more about the modern music of Japan, mostly used in media soundtracks.
Japan
Japan is a small island country in East Asia. Culturally, they are not very well known for their traditional music/folk songs. The most popular folk song that is known from their culture is "Sakura," or in English, "Cherry Blossoms." Although this song is a bit irrelevant from the song that will be presented in this website for comparison purposes, this is an origin of the modern Japanese music, with the use of the pentatonic scale (very commonly used in the Eastern world music). Furthermore, I will be talking more about the modern music of Japan, mostly used in media soundtracks.
A painting of a traditional music celebration in Muromachi Period in Japan
Philippines
The Philippines is another small island country in the Eastern World - Southeast Asia - made up of more than a thousand islands in the Pacific Ocean. Historically, the Philippines had been invaded by many countries, such as Spain, the United States, and Japan. Today's modern Filipino music is mostly influenced by the Western World. However, again for comparison purposes of different music from different era, this website will analyze more of the traditional music of the Philippines, used in a traditional dance, after the influence of the Spaniards during their reign in the Philippines for about 300 years. Like most Asian cultures, the song that will be presented uses the pentatonic scale. The music will be further discussed in the Comparison and Differentation pages of this website.
Indigenous women playing the guitars
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)