Mark DeRose Groups

The shakuhachi is the popular end-blown bamboo flute from Japan. It is traditionally made from the root end of the tree and is approximately 22" or 55 cm. in length. This instrument has 4 fingerholes on the front and a thumbhole on the upper backside. The range may sound 2 1/2 octaves or more. The shakuhachi's fundamental scale or key is pentatonic: d, f, g, a, c, d and may be expanded to encompass scales or keys which contain semitones. These tones are created by half-covering the holes with the fingers. The blowing techniques control timbre, pitch, and the sliding up to a fundamental note.

The shakuhachi attained its original form in the 17th century. Originally an instrument of Zen Buddhism, it was carried by the wandering priests and often used for protection. The instrument very often took the place of the sword which the priests were forbidden to carry.

The 'DANOBI' band features this instrument in the classical repertory - 'honkyoku' and 'gaikyoku' - pieces played in combination usually with koto and recently with other instruments from both the East and West.

Please see our first album for original, honkyoku, Chinese and Japanese folk music arranged for the shakuhachi.

The erhu or Chinese fiddle is perhaps the most popular variety among the bowed instruments known collectively as huqin or hu-ch'ing. The body of the instrument is small, approximately 5" or 13cm. in length and 3" or 8 cm. wide and can be hexagonal or octagonal in shape. Usually made of wood (other varieties include bamboo) and covered with lizard-skin on the front and open on the back. The neck of the instrument is usually made of bamboo and is approximately 24" or 60 cm. long. The erhu (er, 'two') has two strings and is strung much like a violin with 2 separate tuning pegs at the top and a bridge across the skin of the body. The bow of the instrument passes between the strings at the body and must be attached before each performance by detaching the end portion of the bow and reattaching after the bow hairs have been placed between the strings and the instrument is usually played sitting down with the body resting on the thigh or lap of the player.

The sound is like the violin, expressive and passionate. Players perform with a somewhat exaggerated vibrato technique characteristic of the instruments unique, exotic sound.

The selection 'Saima' from our first CD is an interesting example of the erhu or 'Niko' as it is called in Japan. This selection has been arranged for erhu and Jyoumon Taiko.

The shamisen is the Japanese long lute derived from the Chinese sanxian. The small square like body is covered with catskin (used by the geisha in traditional format) or dog skin, a tougher skin which supports the hard and percussive style representative of the Japanese folk music from the Northern region of the main island called Tohoku. The Tohoku shamisen is referred to as the 'Tsugaru Jamisen’.

The neck or fret board has no frets, and the strings are made from specially wound silk cords and struck with a large wooden or turtle shell plectrum. There are a total of 3 strings which are tuned in fourths, fifths and alternate variations fitting vocalists and selected keys of the music to be performed. It is for this reason the shamisen player constantly tunes the instrument in preparation for the next song in a performance.

The strong, fast, percussive 'hard style' of the Tsugaru Jamisen is featured on our first CD. The selection 'Tsugaru Jyoungara Bushi' has been arranged with wadaiko, Latin percussion, a full rhythm section including electric guitar. A quite different approach to performing this classic folk song of Northern Japan.