The music from Japan: Earth's Enchanted Islands
Benji Merrison: Composer
During the composition of the music for Japan I used a number of traditional instruments such as the , and . I used these instruments in both traditional and non-conventional ways, processing and filtering the recordings using electronics. This process is knows as brassage.
I was certainly inspired by this little instrument, as I hope everyone will be by the series.
The sanshin was one of the key instruments used throughout, in particular for the episode on Okinawa. The sanshin is a traditional instrument of Okinawa, similar to a banjo. It is ‘the sound’ of the island. It has ancient roots and is the precursor of the Japanese .
It has a lovely mellow tone which visitors to Okinawa hear everywhere they go. It is a great instrument to play also. Much like a ukulele, you pick it up and can’t help but start picking out little melodies. As I sat in my studio looking at the rather grey British winter outside, I was instantly transported to the white sands of some azure, palm tree peppered Okinawan coastline.
It makes music as it should be: Fun and inspiring. I was certainly inspired by this little instrument, as I hope everyone will be by the series.
