Shakuhachi music - Breathing as the measurement of time

In Western music, the measurement of time is time signatures and metronome marking. This method is strict and mechanic, not very humanistic. So, in the romantic period, in order to more express the sentiment, tempo rubato is a device to break the strict time counting.

In Japanese shakuhachi music. It was used by the monks of Zen Buddhism in the practice of blowing meditation (suizen, 吹禅) since the Edo era (1603-1868). Breathing in shakuhachi music works as a measurement of phasing. No complex maths of counting and measuring, using breathing is the most direct device of natural expression and connect to nature in the sense of meditation.

Example of shakuhachi music

Not just only shakuhachi music, in general vocal and wind instrumental music of Japan, breathing and phasing are inseparable (Tokita & Hughes, 2008). Please listen to the Kabuki music (theatrical music). Listen to the steady tempo of percussion and Shamisen (a plug three-stringed instrument), notice the free rhythm of the vocal and the relationship of musical phrasing and breathing. 
Example of kabuki music
I used this feature in my solo marimba piece, the time measurement of the musical phase is based on breathing, also the breathing noise is also a part of the music.

 


Reference:
Tokita, A., & Hughes, D. W. (2008). The Ashgate research companion to Japanese music. Ashgate.

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