"My Guitar Companion"  April, 2024         

   magazine article p. 78

https://www.asbmb.org/Asbmb.Web/media/files/atoday/ASBMBToday-2024-04.pdf

This Japanese traditional song was written in 1869. Translation of the title is difficult because it is nothing but a string of silly sounds (bang, bang, bop, ding-dong, etc).  I don't know what the song is about, but it's nice. See the links below for my tab and the original sheet music. 

Tab      Sheet music

Toka Ebisu:  guitar tab

"Imamiya Toka Ebisu"  Hiroshige, 1835

Toka Ebisu is a traditional Japanese festival dating back centuries. It is held on January 10th and celebrates Ebisu, the god of fishermen and good fortune.  Originally played on traditional Japanese instruments, this song, written in the 1800's, evokes the festival.  Like other traditional songs I have taught, it also sounds beautiful on the guitar. 

My tab of the song is below.  The sheet music can be found at daisyfield.com  Give it a try.  If you have a question email me at  blaisearena@yahoo.com

     Toka Ebisu guitar tab

1920's Parlor Guitar - Sears Catalogue

Some years ago I repaired this little 1920's guitar.  

Most likely it was purchased from a Sears

catalogue.  I donated it to the Old Town

 School Shop. 

 

Japanese Traditional Songs for Guitar

Saturday  Sept 26, 2020   11:00am      ZOOM class

Free of charge

The Japanese Netflix hit series “Midnight Diner” opens with a beautiful song called “Omohide”. This song has a subtle, haunting melody and has long been beloved in Japanese culture. The singer is accompanied by an instrumental guitar line which we will learn. The melody is in fact a traditional old Irish tune from 1790 about a pretty milkmaid. A cross-cultural embrace between Ireland and Japan. 

We will also learn an instrumental version of the traditional song from the 1800's - "Umewa Saitaka".  Tab notation will be used for both songs. 

If you are at least an intermediate player and want to move beyond strumming, this is a great opportunity to learn to pluck individual melody notes using your fingers or a pick. For more advanced guitar players, this is an opportunity to try something new and add to your repertoire. 

We will emphasize efficient fingering positions and techniques that can be applied to other styles of playing.  Proficiency with bar chords will be helpful.  Let’s learn something different!  Listen to  Omohide .

Omohide guitar tab free:   https://www.free-scores.com/sheetmusic?p=a6YJ1Ky8RK

Guitar Workshop

Music from the "Midnight Diner"

Saturday July 18, 2020   1pm:   Zoom
                Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago

Madam Butterfly

The Japanese Netflix hit series “Midnight Diner” opens with a beautiful song called “Omohide”. This song has a subtle, haunting melody and has long been beloved in Japanese culture. The singer is accompanied by an instrumental guitar line which we will learn.  The melody is in fact a traditional old Irish tune from 1790 about a pretty milkmaid. A cross-cultural embrace between Ireland and Japan.  We will also learn an instrumental version of another traditional song, “Eshigo-Jishi”.  Written in 1811, it was later incorporated by Puccini into his opera “Madam Butterfly”.  Tab notation will be used for both songs. 

If you are an intermediate player and want to move beyond strumming, this is a great opportunity to learn to pluck individual melody notes using your fingers or a pick. For more advanced guitar players, this is an opportunity to try something new and add to your repertoire. 

We will emphasize efficient fingering positions and techniques that can be applied to other styles of playing.  Let’s learn something different!  Listen to Omohide .

Register here 

Guitar Workshop

Music from the "Midnight Diner”

Saturday March 14,  1pm  

Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago

The Japanese Netflix hit series “Midnight Diner” opens with a beautiful song called “Omohide”. This song has a subtle, haunting melody and has long been beloved in Japanese culture. The singer is accompanied by an instrumental guitar line which we will learn. The melody is in fact a traditional old Irish tune from 1790 about a pretty milkmaid. A cross-cultural embrace between Ireland and Japan. 

We will also learn an instrumental version of the traditional song “Kojo no Tsuki”, which has deep roots in Japanese culture as well. Tab notation will be used for both songs. 

If you are an intermediate player and want to move beyond strumming, this is a great opportunity to learn to pluck individual melody notes using your fingers or a pick. For more advanced guitar players, this is an opportunity to try something new and add to your repertoire. 

We will emphasize efficient fingering positions and techniques that can be applied to other styles of playing.  Proficiency with bar chords will be helpful.  Let’s learn something different!  Listen to  Omohide .

Register here