MUSIC 8

(ASIAN THEATRE MUSIC)

I. Wayang Kulit (Indonesia)
A. Definition
- one of the most distinctive shadow plays among Asian dramas which has evolved and grown most fully in
Java and Bali
- makes use of flat puppets that are cut-designed with intricate patterns
- shadow images can be shown when projected on screen with an oil lamp or electric light to bring life on
the shadow images on the screen
B. Distinguishing Characteristics
 Puppets
 sizes should range from 6 inches to more than 3 feet which are mounted on sticks from
the buffalo horn
 complete set of puppets composed of 300-400 figures
 traditional performance starts at 8:30 pm and last until dawn or it will last from 9-10
hours for the whole performances
 Characters
 major characters are based on originated from the 2 epic stories of Hinduism, Mahbharata
or Ramayana
 vary in sizes, shape. Color and costume
 minor figures also differs according to their like; orge, clown, god. Etc.
 Dalang
 person in charge of manipulating the figures, narrating the story, interpreting the
characters, singing songs, producing sound effects, and giving cues for the gamelan
C. Elements
 Performers
 Dalang – puppeteer and conductor
 Niyaga- gamelan musicians
 Pesinden- Jv. Female singer with gamelan orchestra
 Needed equipment
 Wayang Kulit – leather puppets
 Gunungan – symbolic scene element
 Kelir – the clothe screen
 Blencong- Jv. Oil lamp used in Wayang Kulit
 Gedebok- Jv. Trunk of a banana as a place to arrange the puppets
 Kotak Kayu- wooden chest
 Chempala- wooden knockers
 Kepyak- metal rappers
 Gamelan- musical instruments
 Performance Elements
 Sabetan- Jv. Puppet movement
 Janturan- Jv. Puppeteers narration
 Chariyos- Jv. Story or narrative
 Ginem- Jv. Dialogue
 Suluk- Jv. Mood song
 Tembang- Jv. Song
 Dodogan- Jv. Knocking
 Kepyakan- Jv. Rapping
 Gending- Jv. Melody
 Gerong- Jv. Melody
 Sindengan- pesidens song

D. Instruments that Accompany

 Gamelan
 Heart of art music of Indonesia because it performs vital part in establishing the moods
and emphasizing the action of the plays
 each of the instrumentalists or Niyaga who are the gamelan musicians will sit behind of
the Dalang which serves as the musical accompaniment for the Wayang Kulit play
 E. Gamelan Instruments
 Saron
 basic melodic instrument
 idiophone instrument
 consisting of bronze keys and played with a wooden mallet
 Rebab
 two-stringed bowed and a blown suling flute that enhances the melody
 Gender Panerus
 highest pitch in gender family
 Gender Panembung or Slentem
 plays the lowest pitch and anticipates the theme
F. Functions of Gamelan
 Serves as a melody that is played in a relatively slow tempo
 Provides embellishment needed for the plays
 Different kinds of gongs are utilized to emphasize distinct melodies into sections

II. The Peking Opera of China

A. History
- Believed that after the four Anhui opera troupes came to Beijing, Chinese Peking Opera had grown fast to
its development because of the Emperor Qianlong.
- During the ancient times, it is performed in open stage, teahouses, and temples.
- Performed with the orchestra and percussion bands.
B. Instruments that Accompany
 Solo Song
 Arias is an example that portrays one of the characters
 Musical Speech
 Where the actors are speaking through music
 Instrumental Music
 Classified in to two:
 Wuchang- military instrument, most of the instrument are percussion
 Wenchang- civic instrument
C. How do the musical elements contribute to the performance of the Chinese Peking Opera?
 Wen Chang
 To play as musical accompaniment in singing which dominated by different string or
chordophone instruments like jinghu, yue qin and pipa.
 Main actors usually have their jing hu player.
 Wu Chang
 Accompany the acting, recitation, dancing and acrobatic fighting.
 This orchestra uses the following instruments: drums, wooden clappers, gongs and
cymbals which are membranophone.
 produces music which may accompany diversion of scenes and stage atmospheres
D. Example
Peking Opera: Three Attacks on White Bone Demon
Origin: Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Journey to the West
Main Characters:
Sun Wukong- a legendary Chinese hero
Tang Seng- Sun Wukong’s master
White Bone Demon- a legendary Chinese demon
A Buddhist monk named Tng Seng with his three acolytes: the monkey spirit (Sun Wukong), pig spirit (Zhu
Bajie), and the river spirit (Sha Sheng) were on their pilgrimage at the Western Paradise to have scriptures from Buddha.
While on their way, they encountered ten thousand trials to prove their worth. Luckily, Sun Wukong the monkey Spirit
has a supernatural vision that makes him see demons in any form and he has powers which makes him protect his master
in all mischief…
 ARTS 8
(Festivals and Theatrical Forms of Asia)

I. Thai Lantern Festival

- takes place during the festival of Loy Kratong in Chiang Mai
- family members, lovers, friends gather on the riverbanks to float flowers and candles
- launch fireworks and release Thai lanterns at the same time
- Thai believes that bad luck will fly away with the lanterns
A. Materials
 Sky Lantern
 Oiled rice paper or lightweight papers, bamboo frame
 Hot Air
 a small candle or waxy combustible material lit
B. History
- based on the beliefs of Brahmanism
- symbolize knowledge or light that guides them on the right path to follow in life
- highlights the people’s belief that their effort in creating artistic and durable lanterns offered at the
temples will make their wishes come true

II. Japan Kodo Taiko Drum Festival

- kodo means “heartbeat” = ko- heart/do- rhythm or “children of the drum” = ko- child/do- rhythm
- based on a strong tradition that encourages meditation by means of its soft sound or highly energetic
sounds
- Japan Kodo Troupe is a professional troupe of taiko drummers based on Sado island in Japan.
- Popular because of their creative and compelling music using taiko drums
A. Modern Taiko Ensemble
- As of May 2014, there are 32 performing members (26 men, 6 women) in Kodo and 28 staff members
involved in Kitamaesen and Otodaiku.
- Members play drums of various sizes and pitches and percussion instruments
- Famous for the versatility of its members who can play several taiko
- Popular for their costume of wearing only loin-cloth or fundoshi. It adds to the masculinity of the group’s
performance.

Physical Education
(Folk Dances for Fitness)

I. Dance Definition
- creative movements or isolated movements
- derived from man’s activities either by mimicking or by creative choreography
- set to music and pattern of beats
A. Importance
 Means of expressing oneself
 Develop sense of unity because dancers provide unison in action
 Mental or physical relaxation
 Form of exercise
B. Classification of Dances
 Ballrom Dance
 Partner dance and also a competitive dance performed socially
 Social Dance
 Dance for socializing with other people like community dance
 Folk Dance
 Portrays the nature and culture of a community or activities of a certain group of people
 Festival Dance
 Suitable for special occasions and festivities
 Ceremonial or Religious Dance
 Performed religious ceremonies
 Occupational Dance
 Shows work and labor
  Courtship Dance
 showing an interest to the opposite sex
 War Dance
 Dance for battle and war engagement
 Interpretative or Creative Dance
 a movement interpreting or symbolizing something
II. Folk Dance
- developed by a group of people that reflects the traditional life of the people of a certain country or region
or community
- distinguished movements, characteristics and forms of common people belonging to same community or
ethnicity
A. Examples
 Sakuting
 Binislakan
 Pangalay
 Sua Ko Soa
B. Sakuting
 dance of the people of Cordillera during the American regime
 girl and boy dance where they go lowlands in Abra and Ilocos Norte during Christmas
time to perform the dance to ask for some gifts
 uses sticks to make the dance lively by striking both of them
 the rhythmic sticks that produce the sound serve as accompaniment of the dance
 Dance Organizer and Researcher
 Francisca Reyes-Aquino
 Asian Influence
 Chinese
 Classification
 Recreational Dance
 Properties of the Dance
 Costumes- girls wear a native kimono Ilokano style with an elbow-length sleeve; boys
wear a native hat and camisa de Chino with red trousers
 Music- consists of 9 part music in 2/4 and ¾ time signature
 Basic Formation- Boys:X Girls:O
X O
O X
X O
O X
C. Binislakan
 Dance from Lingayen, Pangasinan.
 Lingayen literally means to look backward and upward which was derived from Chinese “Li-
King-Tung”
 Folks in Pangasinan dances in commemoration of the Chinese pirate who lived them named
Limahong
 Displays the movement of looking backward and upward with the sticks to produce rhythm
imitating the Chinese chop sticks.
 The use of stick is called Binislakan
 Costume- Girls wear a Kimono and Diego with a loose long sleeves and soft handkerchief or
panuelo; boys wear Camisa de Chino with traditional red pants
 Music- composed of two-parts music in 2/4 time signature
 Dance Classification- social dance