'Shomyo Workshop'
Junko Ueda

Studio 1

Showtimes: 15 May 2009 - 09:00

09.00-12.00: Vocal workshop (in English)
12.30-13.30: Presentation
Free participation for workshop and presentation

Limited places, please apply via sinta@flagey.be or 02-641 10 75

About Shomyo
Since old times, music has been an essential part of all kinds of ritual ceremony. Also, shomyo is a rite-music. Literally translated, the word “shomyo” combines the characters for “voice” and “wisdom”. Usually shomyo is sung by a group of monks in a Buddhist ceremony. In Japan, its history is about 1200 years old, represented specially by the chanting-styles of Tendai-shomyo and Shingon-shomyo. It is regarded as fundamental for all later Japanese music. Shomyo combines the Buddhist ceremony with a particular musical concept, in which breath-control and breath-expression are practiced. Various melody patterns with its remarkable voice colour, pitch bending and dynamics are created in one breath and repeated with slow tempo. In the shomyo chanting, the time is related with a space, in which the recited melody patterns are constantly piled up.

Shomyo Workshop
We may regard shomyo as the basis for Japanese traditional music. At the same time it has wide relations with many kinds of ancient songs throughout the world. It is a purpose of this workshop to experience this ancient melody and create a group singing. Also, the workshop will take a style of “doing and repeating” (which is popular method in Asia in general), so that participators will learn from their own experiences. You will receive some scores and we will study some shomyo melody patterns. Then, we combine these patterns and make variations like unison and canon. Also, some breathing and body exercises are introduced.

1: Introduction Japanese traditional music
In the workshop, we are going to experience to sing the melody-patterns of Tendaishomyo, which has been succeeded from generation to generation for more than 1200 years until today. The outline of the history of the Buddhist music, which has travelled from original India, through the countries between (Tibet, China, Korea), to Japan, will be explained. We will listen some recordings of Buddhist chanting of other countries. We will also talk about the development of shomyo music in the 20th century in Japan. Also there will be explained how the movement of breathing appears as an expression of voice. References to other Japanese cultural examples will be regarded (e.g. Shodô/Japanese calligraphy).

2: Enjoyment of a group singing
Singing together is a great enjoyment. A person who normally feels shy to sing can join the group-style singing. We use normal talking voice for singing and no special knowledge of singing or music is required. Using several melody patterns of traditional shomyo, five vowels and ceremonial movements (sitting, standing, walking) as materials, we are going to create a group singing and to enjoy the sound that will appear as a result.

3: Singing is healthy
In general it is said that producing voice is good for health. In the workshop, we are also going to work on the breathing system. For various people, this will be a wonderful experience to feel your breathing, which happens usually unconscious in our common life.

4: Spiritual approach
The stream of breath by the breathing system; the aspect of the voices appearing from the result of the breath; a spontaneous “Timing – MA (in Japanese)” born from the moment of the inhaling. We will experience “Silence – JAKU” from music which will appear by exercising these aspects.

5: For instrument player and vocalist
Especially for the players who play an instrument that is produced by breathing, a hint of the abdominal breathing will be studied. Also, a hint of the articulation and sound colour will be introduced, which will help to enrich one’s instrumental playing.

www.junkoueda.com