Introduction

05. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

HomeAll PostsIntroduction05. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Although this song is not included in a standard repertory of traditional Japanese musical instruments, everyone knows this song and this song is used as the first song to learn on violin, piano, and many instruments. You will find the similarities and differences between instruments. You will also learn how to read music sheets and tabs.

Note: This song will not be taught in the lessons. Probably this is the easiest song for any instrument and you may try it yourself when you get an instrument. The melody is said to be based on an old French song and English lyrics were written in the 19th century.

Disclaimer: The author is an amateur vocalist, guitar player, and drummer, who learned violin for 10 years in his childhood. Also, he is a beginner-level piano and intermediate-level bass guitar player, just rented a Tsugaru-shamisen to begin learning, and has not even touched shakuhachi. Please allow any errata in this article and welcome your comments.

Violin

The key is A (2nd string, open) because the open position is preferred for beginners. In the case of the violin, playing with the key of G or D is as easy as A because the intervals between open string notes are all perfect 5th degree.

String number or name

  • Violin: called by the note – G A D E (low to high)
  • Guitar: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 string (low to high)
  • Sanshin and Shamisen: 1, 2, 3 or other name (low to high)
  • Tab: bottom line  (low string) to top line (highest string)

The string number is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 on the guitar from the highest note to lowest. On sanshin and shamisen, 1, 2, 3 or called as other names from lowest.

The tab is not used in violin lessons and is provided just for comparison to guitar. The numbers on the tab are fret position on the guitar but the violin is fretless. The sanshin and shamisen are also fretless. Then, you can find left finger positions by ear and muscle memory.

Practice with a piano or guide tone. Note that the exact pitch is a little bit different from the pitch of the equally tempered scale, which the piano is based on. Fretless string instruments are played in Just intonation, especially in classical music.

Piano

In the case of the piano, the easiest key is C because only white keys are used. A tab is not used because sheet music is created for the piano.

Sanshin

Tuning

  • HonChoushi seems to be the most common tuning
  • The common key is C, but the upper or lower to adjust the singer’s vocal range
    • C-F-C is used in the following tutorial video.
  • Use a guitar tuner (chromatic)
  • A guitarist may easily tune by ear
    • Tune the lowest string with a piano or tuner
    • Tune the middle string at the 4th degree (interval of 6 to 5th string on the guitar)
    • Tune the highest string at the 8th (one octave up)

KunKunShi (The traditional notation)

Traditional sheet music notation is called KunKunShi and Chinese characters are used to denote scale. Take it easy. Even native Japanese do not understand the meaning of them before learning. The characters under the tab in the following transcription are the note name in KunKunShi but the author use the number corresponding to guitar fret:-)

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunkunshi
  • Ordinary character corresponds to a quarter note. And a circle is a quarter note rest.
  • There seems to be no way other than just memorizing the relation between a Chinese character and the string and position.
  • Strings are called male, middle, and female from the lowest (bottom on the tab)

Try it yourself

Shamisen

Tuning

  • NiAgari (2nd or middle string up by two semi-tones) seems to be the most common tuning for beginner
  • String name: 1, 2, 3 from lowest
  • The common key is C, but the upper or lower to adjust the singer’s vocal range
    • C-G-C is used in the following tutorial video.
  • Use a guitar tuner (chromatic)
  • A guitarist may easily tune by ear
    • Tune the lowest string with a piano or tuner
    • Tune the middle string at the 5th degree
    • Tune the highest string at the 8th (one octave up)
  • Sawari adjustment: adjust the volume of chattering sound on the 1st string
    • Azuma Sawari: device with a screw (easy), or manually press the 1st string to the nut (difficult)

Sheet Music Notation

  • Bunka-Hu is the common notation.
  • An article in Japanese: https://note.com/shamisenlab/n/n121a7a0b9a9f
    • Use machine translation to read
  • Positions are noted as 0 or circle), 1, 2, 3, 4, # (sharp), 5, 6, 7, 8, b (flat), 9, 10
    • Corresponding guitar fret: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Note length is based on the quarter note and similar to KuKuShi for sanshin
  • Many articulation signs are used for advanced lessons

Try it yourself

Shakuhachi

Tuning

  • There is no device for tuning.
  • Modern shakuhachi’s pitch is 442Hz
  • Players adjust the pitch by mouse (lip) shape and blowing angle
  • The lowest note is D (4?), and the highest note is 2 or 2.5 octaves up.
    • There are longer (lower key) or shorter (higher key) variations of shakuhachi for different key

Fingering

Sheet Music Notation

Try it yourself

Sorry, Twinkle… is not an easy song for shakuhachi because E note requires some technique. See the fingering and Meri Kari video.

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