Dragonfly Idyll Butterfly Idyll

I’ve always enjoyed dabbling in the use of “world instruments.” The combination of Western/non-Western and traditional/non-traditional instruments in Dragonfly Idyl Butterfly Idll is truly unique. The Harp and Piano both have distinctively beautiful tone colors. Likewise the Shakuhachi and the Koto are equally as beautiful with regards to their tone color. The blend or amalgam of timbres is what orchestration is all about. It is my job as the composer to make sure the orchestration resonates well. Orchestration in my opinion, can be as appealing as the composition of music. The addition of non-Western instruments to the mix of Western instruments can make the whole composition and orchestration process that much more enjoyable. 

The Shakuhachi is an end blown flute traditionally made from bamboo. The Koto is traditionally made from paulownia tomentosa also known as “kiri” wood. The Shakuhachi has its origins from the Chinese flute, the Xiao. The strings of the koto are typically silk threads that are yellow in color and give the instrument its deep resonant sound. The Shakuhachi developed and flourished in the 18th century during the Edo period of Japan. It was used by zen Buddhist monks in their practice of “suizen” or blowing meditation. The 17 string koto or bass koto is a more popular instrument than the traditional 13 string koto instrument. The Koto is an Asian zither which originated in China and was introduced to Japan during the Nara period (circa 710-780 A.D.)

Shakuhachi are extremely versatile instruments. Both the Shakuhachi and the Koto use the minor pentatonic scale. The shakuhachi can produce no half tones naturally. However it can produce artificial half tones by using the technique called meri/keri in which the blowing angle is modified and combined with embouchure adjustments and fingering techniques. A skilled player can also bend notes. They can bend notes up to a whole tone. Professional shakuhachi players can produce virtually any pitch they wish and can play a wide repertoire of varied musics. The Shakuhachi’s subtlety lies in its rich tone coloring.

Shakuhachi is a compound word which means One “Shaku Eight Sun.” The Shakuhachi’s length is 54.54 cm or 21. 47 inches. The Shakuhachi has five tone holes which enable musicians to play the notes D-F-G-A-C-D.

Dragonfly Idyll Butterfly Idyll’s full score and parts are formatted to A4 page size.