Senior Recital

Electric Guitar (East Asia) – Introduced in the mid-20th century through Western influence, the electric guitar became widely adopted across East Asia in both traditional fusion and modern genres. Played with clean or lightly effected tones, it often blends pentatonic melodies and ornamentation drawn from Chinese, Japanese, and Korean traditions with rock and pop techniques. It appears in styles like Japanese enka, Chinese pop-folk fusion, and Korean contemporary music, where it can serve both melodic and rhythmic roles.

Shakuhachi – A Japanese bamboo flute tied to Zen Buddhist practice. Breath-focused playing creates a meditative tone in Japanese folk and classical music. Silence and space are as important as sound in its performance style.

6-String Bass – A modern extended-range electric bass, used in contemporary and fusion folk for melodic playing. It allows chordal and soloistic roles beyond traditional bass functions.

Guzheng – An ancient Chinese zither with movable bridges. Played with finger picks, producing glides and ornaments in Chinese folk. Its wide range allows both melody and accompaniment.

Shamisen – A Japanese three-string lute with a skin-covered body, played with a large pick for a sharp, percussive sound. It often accompanies storytelling and theater traditions.

Odaiko (Taiko Bass) – A large Japanese drum used in festivals and ensembles, producing deep, powerful rhythms. It often anchors the ensemble’s dynamic impact.

Okedaiko (Taiko) – A rope-tensioned Japanese drum used in regional festivals, often played while carried. Its mobility allows integration into dance and procession.

Wind Gong – A Chinese gong producing a swelling crash, used in opera and ceremonial music. It adds dramatic emphasis and transitions.

China Cymbal – Inspired by Chinese opera cymbals, producing a trashy, explosive sound in many genres. It’s often used for accents and climactic hits.

Bells – Metal idiophones used globally in religious, ceremonial, and folk contexts. They often mark time or signal important moments. Tuned percussion originated in South East Asia.

Chimes – Tuned metal tubes producing bell-like tones, used in orchestral and ceremonial music. They add a shimmering, atmospheric layer.

Hyōshigi – A traditional Japanese percussion instrument made of two hardwood clappers struck together to produce a sharp, piercing sound. Used in theater forms like kabuki and in festivals, it signals cues, transitions, or calls attention. Its dry, cutting tone makes it ideal for marking time and emphasizing dramatic moments in ensemble settings

Didgeridoo – A traditional wind instrument of Indigenous Australians, originating in northern Australia and used for thousands of years in ceremonial and storytelling contexts. Made from hollowed eucalyptus branches, it produces a deep drone using circular breathing and vocal techniques. It provides a rhythmic and textural foundation, often imitating natural sounds and supporting chants and dances.

Tingsha – Small paired cymbals used in Tibetan Buddhist traditions, made of metal and struck together to produce a clear, high-pitched tone. Used in rituals, meditation, and ceremonies across Tibet and the Himalayan region, they mark transitions and focus attention. Their sustained, pure sound is valued for its clarity and ability to create a sense of space and stillness.