06 Sep 2011 Comments Off
The Sounds of Asia
Asia is a part of the world that is full of enduring sights and sounds. The music of Asia is unique in the many instruments they abound. In India the sitar is a string instrument made from wood a the gourd of a pumpkin. The sitar is among of the most used string instruments in India as the sound is popular in Indian music. In India the shehnai is a special wood wind instrument that creates notes sounding similar to the voice of a person. In China some instruments are meant to produce a calming and meditating mood.
The Gopichand in China changes tune when pressing on bamboo. The TamTam is hit with a mullet and trembles musical notes. The native flute of Japan is the Roshakuhachi flute. The Roshakuhachi flute is one of the many Asian flutes that is played by blowing air at the end of the instrument. Flutes once played a vital part of Asian history. The oldest known flute was from 8,000 years ago and made from red crowned crane bones. Percussion play a major role in Asian music as well as theater. In Singapore, percussion is often made the strong point of productions, sometimes even having it’s own solo part. Percussion instruments popular in Singapore include those made from leather, wood and brass. A well respected music school in Singapore is based solely on teaching only percussion theme. Piano and string instruments such as the harp are some of the favorite instrumental groups in Singapore.
In Singapore alone the music industry is booming with urban rock, punk rock and pop. Several music schools in Singapore are dedicated the sounds of punk rock and pop. A student can enroll in a school specifically for instrumental lessons aimed towards pop music. Learning a pop version of drum playing is taught using a Cajun drum or a boxed drum. Even the Ukulele has taken a turn in Singapore pop music as it has become a popular tool for pop sound in Asia. Music schools go beyond the popular wave of punk rock and pop in Singapore. The classical orchestra is still just as outstanding and cherished. Young children are often introduced to lessons in piano, cello, and guitar to encourage musical education early. There are music schools in Singapore directed to the form of classical music only. One school is designed for piano and keyboard only while another offers wide variety degrees in almost every orchestra instrument one could think of. While pop music instruments like pop guitar are popular the classical tools of music are just as favored. Violin, harp and cello are still in high demand. Singapore even has musical universities offering the student composer a chance to educate in the music industry. In Asia no musical instrument is left out. Each instrumental group has it’s place in Asian sound.