Talk:Biwa

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[edit] Photograph of plectrum

A photograph featuring a biwa plectrum -- the large ones are fairly spectacular -- would enhance this article greatly. Tom Duff 16:20, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

I completely concur. Unfortunately I only have access to shamisen plectrums. I could try and see if I have some royalty-free images in my collection of books, although this is highly unlikely Dæmon 05:57, 6 July 2007 (UTC) P.S. The biwa page on kotos and more has a couple of pictures of the bachi, although not a particularly ornate one. Obviously to be included as link and not on the article proper.
Also, I've added the gogenbiwa sub-section to gakubiwa, since it seems most appropriate considering it's use during the Nara/Heian periods. It was pointed out that while I added the comment in the introduction about the gogenbiwa, I failed to add it to the list below. I'm sorry for taking so long to do so.

I was wondering if it seemed more appropriate to create a section for extinct/antiquated forms perhaps? Although I personally feel it fits reasonably well under the classification as a gagaku instrument.

Finally, can anyone confirm that the Shosoin's Gogenbiwa is the only extant one of its kind today? I've read that in a couple of sources, but I wasn't sure if it was a suitable addition to the article. I know that some Chinese companies manufacture this type of Pipa/Biwa for collectors, museums and possibly, historical reconstructions. Hope this helps. Dæmon 06:05, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

Added a picture of 4 biwa plectra. I unfortunately don't have any plectra for any of the older biwas, but the Satsuma and Chikuzen are by far the most popular and commonly seen instruments these days. Added a guitar pick for size comparison. I also could add a picture of my instruments, but my Satsuma is modded a bit. I have two extra frets, which is not unheard of for modern players (a 6th fret is fairly common and you need the 7th for playing some non-biwa compositions, due to the the way to get sharp notes while playing), but it's still an oddball in the world of biwas. My Chikuzen biwa is a standard 5-string, 5-fret biwa.Obakedake (talk) 15:26, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Adding more to page

I know that the biwa craftsman in Kyoto who makes gagaku biwas for the imperial family also makes an instrument very similar to Shosoin's Gogen biwa, as he had a few on display at his workshop when I visited. Also, I have access to many types of biwa plectrums, so perhaps I should add an image comparing their sizes and shapes? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Obakedake (talk • contribs) 23:41, 13 September 2007 (UTC)

Yes, please add it. The more good info like this that's added, the closer the article will be to "featured article" status. Badagnani 23:44, 13 September 2007 (UTC)

I happen to have five 5-string chikuzen biwas (and about 7 plectrums) at my apartment right now, and I'm bringing them all to a Japanese music conference this weekend so I'll try to get some good comparitive pictures. I'd really like to expand this page, adding some of the missing biwa types and translating more of the Japanese page. Does anyone think adding more tunings for the instruments would be appropriate, or would that be unnessissary information for most researchers?

Yes, please do, if the tunings are traditional and not newly invented ones. There is plenty of room for expansion, to develop a very comprehensive article. There are very few biwa players (and many Japanese people have never even seen one) so it is good to have you here. It would be good to hear you play sometime. Do you happen to know Sakata Yoshiko? Badagnani 00:04, 14 September 2007 (UTC)

Yes, I agree that the available information related to biwas in English is very limited! Even in Japan, as you say, most people are unfamiliar with the instruments. I have not met Sakata Yoshiko in person, but this weekend many prominent players and teachers from various schools are gathering in Okayama, so I will try to collect as much information as possible. Sticking to the traditional tunings sounds like a good idea, as contemporary tunings are virtually limitless, but personally I find the modern playing styles to be the most exciting. There are very few players, as you mentioned, but the ones that are around tend to be very active and helpful.

Though referenced, the bit about the samurai using the satsuma biwa's plectrum as a weapon sounds a bit far-fetched to me, but I'd like to read the source material sometime. I feel that the real reason behind the large size of the plectrum is the way it is used when playing. The instrument is struck rather vigorously with the plectrum, and a large plectrum made from Japanese boxwood resonates off the mulberry wood with a very nice sound.

I just started editing the page yesterday, and as this will be my first contribution the Wikipedia, please correct me if you see anything inappropriate or poorly worded. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Obakedake (talk • contribs) 00:26, 14 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Tuning

Why was the modern Satsuma tuning of G, G, C, G removed? It must exist, or else I don't know why someone put it there in the first place. Badagnani 00:49, 14 September 2007 (UTC)

I put it there yesterday, along with the G, G, D, G tuning, but in the effort to reduce the amounts of modern tunings I removed one of them. Perhaps I should put it back? Both are indeed in use, but there are many modern tunings, and since they differ by only one note I figured it would be a little redundant. I want to do some more research into the tunings of the various instuments before I list tunings that might be minor or seldom used. I wonder how many tunings per instrument would be appropriate? Many different tunings are used in long list of established compositions.

Obakedake 01:00, 14 September 2007 (UTC)

Those are good points. I'm not very familiar with the repertoire, or how it's changed over time. Like many Westerners, I became familiar with the instrument via Tsuruta-sensei's playing on Takemitsu's "November Steps." Badagnani 01:27, 14 September 2007 (UTC)

If you are interested in some modern satsuma biwa, this is an excellent album, but you seem to already be familiar with Sakata Yoshiko! For other people's benefit:

http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/switch-language/product/B00005F399/ref=dp_change_lang/503-0280944-8063145?ie=UTF8&language=en%5FJP

I haven't met her myself but my teacher had met and played with her before. I would love to see her play!Obakedake 01:43, 14 September 2007 (UTC)

I only saw her on video, in her excellent version of "Gion Shoja" on a video called "Hogaku Journal" that Elizabeth Falconer was involved in producing. She's a true musician and a fine singer. Badagnani 02:02, 14 September 2007 (UTC)
I can't read it--what is the nature of this music? Badagnani 02:05, 14 September 2007 (UTC)
Do you happen to know this CD? The ancient harp is an even rarer instrument than the biwa. Badagnani 02:09, 14 September 2007 (UTC)

The album I linked contains her verion of Gion Shoja as well as other compositions, including several originals. If you liked her video, then you'd love the CD. Not sure if Amazon.co.jp will ship abroad but you might be able to order it through regular Amazon. There are a few Biwa collections on there like this album which I enjoyed. It has great chikuzen, satsuma, and heike biwa players:

http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Tradition-Biwa-Various-Artists/dp/B00003WG49/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-3066032-6201223?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1189742718&sr=1-1

Uehara Mari is a great Chikuzen Biwa player as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Tsure-Biwa-Kiyomori-Vol-2/dp/B000BX4D4A/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/105-3066032-6201223?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1189742718&sr=1-3

I haven't ever seen that harp. That CD looks great! I'll have to order it. The biwa maker in Kyoto I met made both the Gogen biwa on the left and the round bodied lute on the right. Not sure of the name of it.

[edit] Another type?

Should the 4-string "shigen biwa" (used in reigaku) be mentioned? Badagnani 17:40, 27 September 2007 (UTC)

I'm not familiar enough with the instrument to make an entry, but I've found a seemingly good CD that should help. I'll try to translate some of the Japanese entry for this instrument, though it is indeed a rarity! --—Preceding unsigned comment added by Obakedake (talk • contribs) Obakedake 06:23, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

Please link the CD here, if you would. Badagnani 06:21, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

It's located about halfway down the page:
http://homepage1.nifty.com/zeami/j-g.html
It's the gold colored album titled 天平琵琶譜「番假崇」
As it's only 1600 yen I'll have to order it! --—Preceding unsigned comment added by Obakedake (talk • contribs)

Have you got the one with the kugo (Japanese harp) yet? Badagnani 06:26, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

Ordering it now, as I had forgotten about it. I just ordered the biwa CD from the Japanese site, but you can also find it on Amazon[1]Obakedake 06:44, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Biwa Notation

After the biwa conference I went to I was lucky enough to recieve from a teacher the complete scorebook of a traditional Satsuma biwa school's entire repertoire, including all of the songs and variations played over three CDs. As it's not for sale anywhere, and something generally reserved for teachers of the school, it's a set that one does not easily obtain! I'd like to scan in an example of Satsuma biwa notation, as it's quite radically different than traditional western notation. Biwa notation varies greatly from instrument to instrument and school to school, but what do you think about adding a few examples? Obakedake 06:44, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

It's a good idea. There's great room for expansion of the article. What is the copyright status of these scores? Are they facsimiles of very old notations or a newly engraved modern publication? Badagnani 06:54, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Change of title picture?

Looking at this page, the main/title picture at top of the article is of the gogen biwa from Nara, which is, as described in the article, a one-of-a-kind instrument. I have seen a few reproductions personally, but they are exceedingly rare (perhaps a few dozen in the world?), and far from a representative biwa. I'd suggest changing the main picture to a more common biwa, perhaps a Satsuma or Chikuzen. If I could obtain a copyright-free photograph of a typical biwa, would there be an objection to this change?Obakedake (talk) 04:10, 19 May 2008 (UTC)