Kaminaga Daisuke (神永大輔) is the shakuhachi player of Wagakki Band. He began to play the Shakuhachi at the age of 18, then he was awarded a master license of Tozan-style Shakuhachi. Daisuke has his own school in Tokyo, and teaches in several colleges and universities.
This video is a great introduction to Wagakki Band. Imo it's still their best song. I recommend "Queen of the Night" and "Synchronicity" for something a bit different from them. Everyone will also recommend their cover of "Bring me to Life" with Amy Lee as a guest vocalist, but I prefer Yuko's vocals over Amy's.
I think I like your reactions way above so many others on TH-cam. You base your opinions on a fine tuned mix of musical theory, and performance values. Great job NittPicc! 🙏🕊&❤
wonderful! You said shakuhachi! When people from overseas saw him, they said he was a flute. The shamisen is called a banjo, The koto is called a harp. What I'm saying without looking into it is Because it's so sad, I'm so glad you knew!
It's like they asked themselves "What instruments will we use" and the answer was "Yes". I gotta say that Beni Ninagawa is one of the most awesome shamisen players I've ever seen and heard.
And it’s performed by hitting the string with your finger just before hitting it with the pick. It took me way too long to get it down, and even now I sometimes miss it.
@@PaleHorseShabuShabu I just hit the string with the pic and the side of my thumb almost at the same time myself. There might be a different name, but it's really easy and repeatable for me.
@@PaleHorseShabuShabu I didn't know what finger you were talking about. I've seen people use their index finger and be able to place an artificial harmonic anywhere they choose. I thought you were referring to that. (at least I think that's what they are doing. I certainly can't do it)
By hitting the string with your thumb at nearly the same time as the pick, you are muting out everything but the highest frequency of that string. It gets impressive when you get that nice reverb after. I have the misfortune of understanding the mechanics of this stuff without the ability to do it 😢
I have been waiting with bated breath for you to react to Wagakki Band. They are a supergroup in the truest sense of the term. WGB was the brainchild of Yuko Suzuhana, the world's greatest unknown vocalist and frontwoman. She literally has no peer, and is also a composer, lyricist and an excellent keyboardist. She started learning the piano at age 3 and by age 5 was being trained by her mom, who is a very well-regarded music professor, in the arts of Shigin, the traditional Japanese form of song/poetry, and traditional Japanese dance with both the fan (shi) and the sword (ken). She also teaches Shigin at university. Prior to forming WGB, she, her husband, koto player Kiyoshi Ikuburo and shakuhachi player Daisuke Kaminaga were together as a folk group called Hanafugetsu, of which there are several videos on TH-cam. Similarly to Band Maid, the trio ran into guitarist and composer Shin "Machiya" Oumura, who was an extremely well-regarded session musician, who also knew rock drummer Wasabi and bassist/composer Asa. Yuko knew wadaiko drummer Kurona from university and the final piece, shamisen player extraordinaire Beni Ninagawa also joined the group. Yuko wanted to form a band that would mix modern rock and traditional Japanese interests to get young people of Japan interested in traditional music. And lo and behold, Wagakki Band was formed. And they were my reintroduction to Japanese music after an 7 or 8 year hiatus of my own. About 6 years ago someone posted the music video of their song "Kishikaisei" on Facebook and I was instantly enthralled. They led me to Baby Metal, SCANDAL, Aldious, Lovebites and Band Maid. You have SO much to catch up on with WGB. Sadly, they are going on an undetermined hiatus at the end of the year, but it was expected, as Yuko and Kiyoshi's daughter will turn 2 years old in November and they need the family time. The other members will be working on their own projects also. But there is a treasure trove of music for you to react to. One thing I think you will love is their 2020 Live Premium Symphonic Night Vol. 2, where they perform with a full symphony orchestra. It is an amazing concert and is one of my go-to playlists. This is also the concert they do a new arrangement of "Bring Me To Life" with Amy Lee that is the best version I've ever heard. Lead Guitarist Machiya wrote the new arrangement. There are 16 songs, with several acoustic versions of some of their best songs. It's a real treat. And if you want to really see the traditional side of WGB, check out the video for "Goubosei + Homura", it shows all facets of Yuko's talents, as well as the rest of the band. As you said you had an affinity for traditional instruments, here are some other artists for you to check out. First, there is Ni Ni Music from Taiwan, a young lady who does great covers on several different Chinese instruments, some of which she built herself. One of her most beautiful covers is "Bridge Over troubled Waters". From China there is an artist named Moyun who specializes in doing covers on the Guhzeng, the Chinese progenitor of the Koto. She is supremely talented. There are also some great Asian folk metal groups like The HU Band from Mongolia and Otyken from Siberia. But check out Ni Ni and Moyun first, lol. Sorry for the long-winded comment, I get carried away, lol. Can't wait for the next WGB reaction. I think any live version of "Senbonzakura" would be a good choice. In addition, there is a gentleman named Frank Garcia on YT who does an amazing job of putting English subtitles on their videos, check him out also.
Over time you'll discover that Japanese audiences are the best, they cheer and wave those glow sticks when appropriate and immediately stop when singing starts or a particular part in the song starts. They are very polite to the performers and each other.
Fantastic!. I was waiting for this reaction in anticipation. This Band is a wonderful combination of virtuosos. The flutist's name is Daisuke Kaminaga, hero for a day on your channel! Thank you for this excellent approach to Waggaki Band.
Beni Ninagawa is a World Class shamisen player.....and a model....and an actress...and my crush. Wagakki Band just oozes talent. The members are a lot of fun off-stage and get along very well with each other after all these years together.....very Band-Maidesque .
Apparently when she "auditioned" for the band, they weren't even looking for another member. She found out where they were practicing, walked in, and said, "you're going to let me in your band". Then she played for them. And they let her in the band. Definitely the most metal way that a shamisen player ever joined a band.
Glowsticks are a huge thing in Japan and the crowds tend to be surprisingly polite while still being hyped. Btw, this band has also done Vocaloid covers. In case you're interested, I suggest checking out "Senbonzakura" and "Rokuchou Nen to Ichiya Monogatari" by Wagakki Band. They're absolutely amazing!
Even in Japan, the average rock music audience doesn't hold a glowstick. However, since this band is strongly connected to youth pop culture, its audience resembles idol fans. glowsticks are usually seen frequently in idol fan culture. You don't see glowsticks at all in regular rock or metal audiences.
Ok, I got one for you: WHAT IS HIP? [ TOKYO GROOVE JYOSHI COVER ] There are two versions.. one with a shamisen... the other one with a sax. The shamisen one is the crowd's favorite.
What is so amazing about this group is that each member is a master of their particular instrument. They are very intentional about how each part will participate in the song, and each instrument is featured while still blending in with the whole. Their works are always fantastic.
Wagakki Band is a super group created by Yuko Suzuhana the vocalist and she’s the one that personally hand picked each instrumentalist and they’re are some of the best to do it out of the country.
This band is Revolutionary. They do Orchestral stuff that is just Haunting. One of the best Progressive World acts you could possibly imagine. The amount of awe with these musicians is off the hook.
Check also JUNA SERITA female bassist(Tokyo Groove JYOSHI) cover songs What Is Whip, Play That Funky Music... LOVEBITES bassist Fami channel do cover bass song Alien Alien(viewed 10M++)
It's not often that the joy of seeing something is real with reactors. I believe yours, and that makes me happy :D^ By the way: this band can cure depression ^^
Yuko sings in a traditional form know as Shigin, used for poems and other texts. She teaches it as well, and is an accomplished pianist and musician. Here's the bio page from her website: "Suzuhana Yuko Japanese singer-songwriter and vocalist of the Wagakki Band. She studied piano from age 3 and the traditional Japanese performing arts of Shigin (singing) and Kenshibu (sword dancing) from age 5. Graduated from the Tokyo College of Music with a major in classical piano. In 2011, she won first place in the Japan National Shigin Contest. In 2014, she started "Wagakki Band” as the leader to "expand traditional performing arts to the world."
This band forced its way into my attention shortly before Band-Maid, about three years ago. They share some similarities. Similar joy of performing, similar casual application of extreme skills - both in playing and song construction, similar lack of ego. The singer won a national contest in shingen. The shakuhachi player has done world tours as a cultural ambassador. The other six have similar levels of credentials. Their mission seems to be to retool the traditional music of rural Japan for the urban age, and just WOW. They were the cause of the first money I’ve spent on CDs in decades. If you’d like to see three and a half minutes of sheer exuberance from them, try Roki. It’s one of their vocaloid covers, and I can’t help listening any time I stumble across it. Guaranteed smile. One last anecdote - The shamisen player showed up at one of their practice sessions and requested a spot in the band. She has said that she saw it as her best chance of being able to play solos. That obviously worked out well for her, as well as us. She’s amazing.
I checked out Band-Maid first, then traditional instrument factor grabbed my attention and checked out a lot of their songs. Then they started to collaborate with Amy Lee and adopted more popular sound, so I went back to Band-Maid and stuck there.
that "wail" or high-pitch note is a "pinch harmonic", which is kinda hard to explain how to do.. best i can manage is its like a double-strike with the pick, or a strike and touch to set off the harmonic instead of the fretted note
So glad you got to hear Wagakki Band, they are so fantastically talented. I'll just comment on the singer, Yuko I think it is. She's a student of not just traditional singing styles, but also a number of other traditional cultural entertainment things, such as sword play and fan dancing, which you saw a bit of in this video. In fact she seems to be something of an aficionado of Japanese fans which are gorgeous. Please do seek out other videos by them, particularly live performances. There are ones with her wielding her sword beautifully, one in which a whole army of sword dancers suddenly appear from nowhere and do this incredible accompaniment (one wrong move and Yuko would have been mincemeat lol), and so much more. Having said that, look for the official MV of Senbonzakura, as it's so well done.
Aww! I have never seen anyone giggle when classic instruments come on. Made me proud to be from there ❤ I'm partial to koto since grandma used to teach it but I love the whole ensemble!
From Japan. I was listening to this band before I discovered BAND-MAID. Unfortunately, they are going on hiatus for a while. The singers and Players of Japanese traditional instruments are all master class. This band and BAND-MAID are my top two bands. Thank you for finding them.
Exactly my way! First I discovered Wagakki Band and then Band Maid. (I live in Brazil, so it was a matter of TH-cam algorithm). I love the power, the intricate way of playing their stuff. The Shakuhachi man is really incredible. Once I had one in my hand and I couldn't take any meaningful sound out of it (I am a recorder player). Strong fate - th-cam.com/video/6JCEeSV0fIQ/w-d-xo.html.
Similar - a few years back I found this band on Spotify (or TH-cam music) because I was listening to Evanescence and the song Sakura Rising started playing...immediately went on TH-cam and found this song and was hooked ever since.
@@centurybeta2112 Thank you for your comment. I think they, too, transcend genres and are their own genre. It is a shame that they will probably be inactive for a year or so.
I love "traditional Japanese musical instruments" Band (Wagakki). I had never thought the blending of modern & traditional styles could work so flawlessly. I'm happy to be proven wrong. I hope their hiatus at the end of the year will not be too long. Thanks NittPicc for another informative reaction. Cheers.
this has to be one of the best reactions to them. thank you for your great appreciation.I think you will got a lot of recommendations to their songs. mine would be "senbonsakura" (official MV) from their channel.
Great reaction. The gigantic pick is called Bachi. The screeching guitar sound you were talking about is pinch harmonis and you can find tons of tutorials on UTube by "pinch harmonics how to". My recommendations for you to try another Wagakki Band are, a phenomenal fusion of heavy metal and Japanese ethnic music with smoking solo of each member Kyouka Suigetsu + Tsuki Ni Sakebu Yoru th-cam.com/video/aWlMc-pbDc8/w-d-xo.html, and an old piece written for Koto and Shakuhachi in modern arrangement with additional instruments Shamisen and Taiko Haru No Umi (Sea of Spring) th-cam.com/video/xkBgCVQ1DlA/w-d-xo.html. Enjoy!!
Next time please Please listen to Wagakki Band/Senbonzakura! and, Please listen to Wagakki Band / Kishikaisei. If you want to see the power, check out the PV After listening to Please watch LIVE. If you listen to these three songs, you will find all the goodness of Wagakki Band.
You're stepping into a world of musical gods and goddesses here. Yuko, the singer, is a shigin master, vocal coach, kenbu and shibu performer, and classically trained pianist (from age 3). Daisuke, the shakuhachi player, is also a master, and has his own school. Kiyoshi, the koto player, is a cultural ambassador for Japan. Kurona teaches Taiko drumming. Beni (Tsugaru Shamisen) has been performing since she was four and is also a trained minyo singer. Asa (bass) was a vocaloid producer and has his own band. Machiya (guitar) was a music producer and session musician, as well as having other band and solo projects. Wasabi (drums) was a highly sought after session musician. What to listen to next? This one th-cam.com/video/aWlMc-pbDc8/w-d-xo.html
He tomado interés por tu canal por ésta canción pero había visto alguno de tus videos. Me suscribo, hay varios videos de tu canal que he disfrutado mucho también, espero que sigas haciendo videos porque creo que son de mi gusto. Mucha suerte y un saludo desde España.
That high pitch wail is a Pinch Harmonic. It's just a style of picking. You can hear Kanami do one in the first lead of 'Domination' LIVE. And speaking of BAND-MAID, if you want more Japanese Traditional stuff do BAND-MAID's BAND-MAIKO videos! You've already done 'Secret My Lips'. Now do 'Secret Maiko Lips'. Then you can do the only original BAND-MAIKO song, 'Gion-Cho'. Anywho... Here's a video on how to do a proper Pinch Harmonic, aka Squeelies . . . th-cam.com/video/b3n00AFkfMo/w-d-xo.html
Been waiting for this since you started reacting to Japanese music knowing you are a flutist I knew it was going to be a fun one... not disapointed in that regard 😁 Nice to see that you already know all those instruments and how they are called 👍
All eight members were already well known virtuosos before the band formed. Some teach as well. Yuko (vocalist), who organized the group, is also a concert pianist. (and just had a baby with her husband, the Koto player). For the next one, you should see their cover of "Bring Me to Life" with Amy Lee. It's from a performance they did where they had a small orchestra. The music is great, and the singing, with Yuko, Amy Lee, and the guitarist, is phenomenal.
Sabaku no Komoriuta! A little hard to find, much more recent than this. Wagakki band has come a very long way from this performance. As suggested, Synchronicity also shows off a totally different manner, with a marvelous video.
Yuko Suzuhana has her own channel where she demonstrates and teaches traditional Shigin style vocals. (Beni, the Shamisen player, also has a channel but it seems to be mainly about food) For a suggestion on what next - definitely watch the following on TH-cam it is exceptional: Wagakki Band(和楽器バンド):Yoshiwara Lament(吉原ラメント)-Live At Tokyo National Museum
Thanks, this may be my most enjoyable Reaction ever. Some Info: The guitarist was doing 'pinch' harmonics, you pick a note and play a harmonic with your thumbnail on the string at the same time. Lite sticks, and other lite-ups like wristbands are fairly common at larger Japanese shows. *Yuko* teaches 'Shigin' style vocals at University. Shigin is a spoken (sung) poetry that is part of ancient Japanese culture. It features a very wide vibrato - where the individual notes are modulated quartertones. There is a cool video of Wagakki Band playing with a philharmonic orchestra - with guest Amy Lee and Yuko singing *_Bring Me to Life_* th-cam.com/video/hk1GtYK7BJM/w-d-xo.html
Top notch musicians in their own right brought together by the singer. This one is a blast, for a different flavor check out "Synchronicity" (live), another great performance!
Like audience participation. Check out BabyMetal Headbanger live legend of 1997. Versailles Destiny the Lovers live And Aldious Dominator live Radiant A O East
I love Wagaki band. Discovered them some years ago, though I like Beni Ninagawa on the Shamisen. If I didn't play bass I would pick up a shamisen. I love how it cuts through the mix but doesn't overpower. Those screaming notes on guitar are called pinch harmonics. If you like traditional music, check out the HU band from Mongolia. They mix traditional and modern and use throat singing in a folk metal style. They are fantastic too.
Yes! After you get a couple of Hu songs by themselves, check them out with Lzzy Hale of Halestorm doing "The Song of Women" which they asked her to write.
Your next reaction MUST be to.. AYREON. They flute pieces are.. gorgeous. Sample 1: The song all reactors react first- "The day that the world breaksdown" th-cam.com/video/oFuMKdrzPqU/w-d-xo.html Sample 2, for flute and a 3 voices.. "The valley of the queens" th-cam.com/video/TbebO5BZi-I/w-d-xo.html Sample 3: "the theory of everyting" th-cam.com/video/L3TxOaCZv0w/w-d-xo.html Sample 4: "the castle hall" th-cam.com/video/iKGaeQ9f-cY/w-d-xo.html Ayreon .. an experience: "The Sixth Extinction" th-cam.com/video/HAJ0zTMLClQ/w-d-xo.html
Yeeeesssss!!!! I've been waiting for you to do this reaction, and your reaction when you notice Daisuke-san begins is priceless! I love this band, this song, and this performance. The individual elements of this song are so awesome and memorable...all 8 musicians together are just unforgettable - including the fact that with your music background and that you're knowledgeable about every instrument in this band makes you perfect for reacting and analyzing this particular band. I'm looking forward to more in the future. Great reaction!!!
You would enjoy a band from the 70s called Steeleye Span. They are a rock band that played music from the 15th to 18th century updated to a rock style. Try the song All Around my Hat for a good starting point.
nice reaction👍 Thank you for responding to various Japanese bands. please next UnluckyMorpheus/BLACK PENTAGRAM(live) th-cam.com/video/RUiRlUGMTwY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=uNuTaIGfgRkNOoFF The Wagakki Band uses instruments that are unusual for a rock band. UnluckyMorpheus is also unusual among metal bands (though it is sometimes seen in Scandinavian bands) to have an instrumentalist as a member (she and the other members are also top-class in the world in terms of playing skills). I strongly recommend you see it I'm using Google's translator, so sorry if the English is weird🙏
Welcome to the Rabbit Hole called The Wagakki Band. Look closely at Machiya's guitar. It has 29 frets instead of 24 plus it has 7 strings instead of 6. Beni, on the Shamisen, was the Japanese National Champion prior to joining the band. They are far from being a garage or even studio Band. Also Yuko, the singer, is a trained Classical Pianist.
I'm so glad you found this band! I'm going to recommend Hakushu Kassai, which is not one of their really big songs, but if you look up the Dai Shinnenkai 2018 live version (their New Year's concert) it's a tour-de-force in which everyone has a chance to shine. Not only does everyone get a mini-solo, but they do mini-duets, too! But what I'm going to link you to is a little silly something. The core of the group is actually a smaller minigroup called "Hanafugetsu" (Flower, wind, moon), and it's Suzuhana Yuko (singer and founder of Wagakki Band), Ibukuro Kiyoshi (koto, whom the singer married and had a kid with), and Kaminaga Daisuke (shakuhachi). In this video, they visit a music school in Ibaraki, Yuko's hometown. At the beginning of the video before they go in Daisuke reveals he has a two-part shakuhachi hidden in his kimono. Later, the class say they've been practicing Senbonzakura, the song that rocketed Wagakki Band to international fame, and ask if the students would like the band to accompany them in a performance. Everyone looks at Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi: I can ask to borrow one of their koto... Everyone looks at Daisuke. Daisuke: Well. I mean, I just HAPPEN to have a shakuhachi on me... (pulls it out of his sleeve) Daisuke is a mischievous prankster and 120% ready to throw out a solo at any given time. You can see how he won a lot of fans, and they even put out a shirt that says, in English, "I need more Shakuhachi". th-cam.com/video/2cDMtjEsV-Q/w-d-xo.htmlsi=QaKEpMKn6KL9BmQm&t=616
I'm thrilled you've got to Wagakki Band. I hoped you'd enjoy the Shakuhachi, but didn't know you liked Taiko. Maybe try _Wagakki Band - 知恵の果実 (Chie no kajitsu)+ 什麼生説破(Somosan seppa) / HALL TOUR 2017 四季ノ彩-Shiki no Irodori_ th-cam.com/video/OaC6ZY0KYVc/w-d-xo.html starts at 3m:40s Almost Pop-Rock but featuring Shakuhachi:_【和楽器バンド】天樂 Tengaku 【VOCALOID】_ th-cam.com/video/Q2meWkWqc-I/w-d-xo.html Best Wishes. ☮
In Japan, it's illegal to have an exposed flame due to the amount of wood and paper used in their traditions, and it's not allowed to bring a cell phone into these venues, because their privacy laws and also restrictions regarding recording live music events. And Japan is VERY serious about their laws. You will see almost everyone wearing a mask, nearly all the time. Partly it's due to the pollution in the air, but it's also a tactic to maintain a certain amount of privacy and personal security. Girls under 20, specifically are required to do this. The video of Fami that I shared in another reaction comment (for Jinjer Pisces) she was only 19 at the time of that recording, I believe. There are some exceptions to the rule, but not many. Welcome to the world of Wagaki Band. Regarding Asa... damn good bassist, may not be what you see on the video...Asa wrote Yoshiwara Lament I know I was confused for a few months, but then this is Japanese society...Dang, I almost forgot Yuko Suzuhana, (the names are reversed in Japanese), she is a classically trained Shigin style singer, and also sings clean. She is also classically trained concert pianist and does a Samurai sword dance that scares the crap out of me. Sorry about the disjointed way I go about this, it's the way y mind works... lol. The Shakuhachi, the guy playing is a master and you ain't seen nothing yet. Beni is the lady on the Shamisen. And The guy playing the Koto is Yuko's husband (I don''t know if that is true within this video. Ikebukaro? or something like that. The man on the Taiko Drums is Kurona. The other drummer is called Wasabi... (maybe he's really spicy?) Okay, I think I have covered the whole band. I hope this is good information, overall and in particular.
They're one of my favourite bands, so incredibly talented and absolutely badass. I love the combination of traditional instruments and styling with modern rock!
This made me miss Wagakki Band. They kind of got lost in the sauce several years ago. They are AMAZING live. The only band you don’t want to be up close for because there is just too much going on to take it in up close. You’re authentic joy is just too much 💕 You’re also the first reactor I’ve seen who knew the actual name of the wood flute. 🪈
It's called pinch harmonics, and it talks a lot of practice to get it just right! You hold the pick between your thumb and index finger close to the tip of the pick. After plucking the string you roll you hand slightly so that the thumb barely touches the string. There's a sweet spot along the string's length that will give you perfect pitch for the note you're playing. Although it's not too difficult to achieve the effect at first, it takes many hours of practice to perfect to the level heard in this video.
A little trivia: The lead singer (Yuko Suzuhana) and the koto player (Kiyoshi Ibukuro) married in 2022 and had their first child last year. They are also in a three-piece group together with the shakuhachi player (Daisuke Kaminaga) called Hanafugetsu. That group has videos on TH-cam as well. The shakuhachi player is considered a master of the instrument, and you can find him appearing in videos by other TH-cam content creators like Lets Ask Shogo. He also has his own channel.
The music coming out of Japan just rocks. Watch (Our shining days) a show about a music school where traditional Chinese instrument artist battle with classical musicians at the school. I'm sure that you will enjoy it.
Yuko has an awesome voice. From my reading, she put this band together so young listeners might appreciate the traditional instruments as well as keeping the culture alive. Senbonzakura, a vocaloid cover, is by far their most popular song. Sun Wheel is awesome and very high tempo. Kyoukasuigetsu, th-cam.com/video/aWlMc-pbDc8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Zg-Nohh7mZKz4cNn - one of my favorites, each member has a killer solo.
Oh, Wagakki Band is yet another awesome unique band full of talent and boy do they churn out bangers! Every song is a must listen and every performance just makes me sadder i havent been able to catch them live (may have to travel to Japan for that one). Tengaku and Senbon Sakura are probably my next recommendations to go from here, but im also really looking forward to you reacting to their 2021 Dai Shinenkai performance of "Sun Wheel". Great video as always Ms. Nittpicc. Thank you!😊
In the opening solo section you’re hearing double pedal bass drums and the Taiko drums doing that at the same time. It’s really effective! And then there’s Beni shredding on the Shamisen. 😊 I’m an orchestral and world musician with my roots in rock. When I discovered Wagakki band years ago they ticked off all the boxes for me! If you like traditional instruments mixed with modern music there are some great groups out there. Otyken from Siberia. The Hu from Mongolia. The Afro-Celt Sound System. An older group is Hednigarna that plays a mix of Scandanavian music. There is more if you go down this rabbit hole. Also, it’s so nice for me to see a reaction video where you know the instruments.😊
Wagakki band was started by pianist, poet, composer and Shigin singer Yuko Suzuhana in 2013. They have released 7 studio albums, two of them cover albums of vocaloid songs. Homura (flame) is a Machiya instrumental that they perform only at concerts, the song is always performed differently with and without Beni and Kurona. The mask he wears is a Noh mask from Noh theater and represents the spirit of a woman. The cut in the eye is not original. The mask has two expressions: if he looks down, the mask smiles, if he looks up, the mask is angry. He mostly uses the mask on his own instrumental songs. Akatsuki no ito (thread of dawn) is also written by Machiya and is used as an encore chant by the audience.
I first learned about Wagakki Band over a decade ago. Some of their first videos were covers of Vocaloid (computer-generated vocalists) songs. Which i later learned had been written by their bassist, Asa. Most of the performers are national champions in their chosen instruments. Yuko is a champion in shigen; a vocal style used for reciting traditional poetry. She modified it to use as a singing voice. She’s also a champion pianist. Wagakki Band is a storm of music and Yuko is the eye of that storm.
Great review, thank you. New sub for you :) A note about the lighted wands you asked about. They're used in a lot of concerts in Japan, primarily the idol / pop groups. Other times you'll see them like here in Wagakki's show. Sometimes the group members of idol groups or bands are identified with a color, so fans will have wands that match the color of their favorite singer of the group. Momoiro Clover Z comes to mind on this. Other groups may not want wands and it's specified beforehand of a concert. Sometimes the audience is asked to withold use of the wands till a certain part of the concert. It varies :) hth
You are the FIRST reactor who's correctly identified all the traditional instruments correctly, well done you!
Wow, this is the first time I've seen a non-Japanese person who understands the shakuhachi, koto, and shamisen. Hats off to you!
There’s a few of us out there but we’re rare! 😊😊😉
i was audio tech at a bunch of conventions in Germany and i got to mic up various koto, shakuhachi and even a shamisen over the years. fun stuff ^^
Kaminaga Daisuke (神永大輔) is the shakuhachi player of Wagakki Band. He began to play the Shakuhachi at the age of 18, then he was awarded a master license of Tozan-style Shakuhachi. Daisuke has his own school in Tokyo, and teaches in several colleges and universities.
This video is a great introduction to Wagakki Band. Imo it's still their best song. I recommend "Queen of the Night" and "Synchronicity" for something a bit different from them. Everyone will also recommend their cover of "Bring me to Life" with Amy Lee as a guest vocalist, but I prefer Yuko's vocals over Amy's.
Queen of the night and kagerou is my favorite song from them
i just heared queen of the night recently beautiful song.
Yes! Synchronicity is sooo dope and it's such a great different vibe from them!
Definitely have to include Sun Wheel & Aria Of Twilight to that list as well
Told ya, the flute goes hardcore, Band Maiko kind of make me found this band, and Onmyoza
Yet their traditional sound evoke different feel, band-maiko has the very local, good old day vibe in their sound.
I think I like your reactions way above so many others on TH-cam. You base your opinions on a fine tuned mix of musical theory, and performance values. Great job NittPicc! 🙏🕊&❤
wonderful!
You said shakuhachi!
When people from overseas saw him, they said he was a flute.
The shamisen is called a banjo,
The koto is called a harp.
What I'm saying without looking into it is
Because it's so sad,
I'm so glad you knew!
Akikohorie4764. : It is a Flute , that the Flute is called shakuhachi does make it not a flute
@@powertothebauer296calling it woodwind would been better
It's like they asked themselves "What instruments will we use" and the answer was "Yes".
I gotta say that Beni Ninagawa is one of the most awesome shamisen players I've ever seen and heard.
That baritone guitar is so beautiful ♥ Love your reactions Nitt ♥ I wonder if you will do Senbonzakura hmmm
She really should, either the MV, or the one with Evanescence 😊
That sound you asked about that guitars do is called a pinch harmonics
And it’s performed by hitting the string with your finger just before hitting it with the pick. It took me way too long to get it down, and even now I sometimes miss it.
@@PaleHorseShabuShabu I just hit the string with the pic and the side of my thumb almost at the same time myself. There might be a different name, but it's really easy and repeatable for me.
@@ranger_a6953Good to know we do it the same way.
@@PaleHorseShabuShabu I didn't know what finger you were talking about. I've seen people use their index finger and be able to place an artificial harmonic anywhere they choose. I thought you were referring to that. (at least I think that's what they are doing. I certainly can't do it)
By hitting the string with your thumb at nearly the same time as the pick, you are muting out everything but the highest frequency of that string. It gets impressive when you get that nice reverb after.
I have the misfortune of understanding the mechanics of this stuff without the ability to do it 😢
I have been waiting with bated breath for you to react to Wagakki Band. They are a supergroup in the truest sense of the term. WGB was the brainchild of Yuko Suzuhana, the world's greatest unknown vocalist and frontwoman. She literally has no peer, and is also a composer, lyricist and an excellent keyboardist. She started learning the piano at age 3 and by age 5 was being trained by her mom, who is a very well-regarded music professor, in the arts of Shigin, the traditional Japanese form of song/poetry, and traditional Japanese dance with both the fan (shi) and the sword (ken). She also teaches Shigin at university.
Prior to forming WGB, she, her husband, koto player Kiyoshi Ikuburo and shakuhachi player Daisuke Kaminaga were together as a folk group called Hanafugetsu, of which there are several videos on TH-cam. Similarly to Band Maid, the trio ran into guitarist and composer Shin "Machiya" Oumura, who was an extremely well-regarded session musician, who also knew rock drummer Wasabi and bassist/composer Asa. Yuko knew wadaiko drummer Kurona from university and the final piece, shamisen player extraordinaire Beni Ninagawa also joined the group. Yuko wanted to form a band that would mix modern rock and traditional Japanese interests to get young people of Japan interested in traditional music. And lo and behold, Wagakki Band was formed. And they were my reintroduction to Japanese music after an 7 or 8 year hiatus of my own. About 6 years ago someone posted the music video of their song "Kishikaisei" on Facebook and I was instantly enthralled. They led me to Baby Metal, SCANDAL, Aldious, Lovebites and Band Maid.
You have SO much to catch up on with WGB. Sadly, they are going on an undetermined hiatus at the end of the year, but it was expected, as Yuko and Kiyoshi's daughter will turn 2 years old in November and they need the family time. The other members will be working on their own projects also. But there is a treasure trove of music for you to react to. One thing I think you will love is their 2020 Live Premium Symphonic Night Vol. 2, where they perform with a full symphony orchestra. It is an amazing concert and is one of my go-to playlists. This is also the concert they do a new arrangement of "Bring Me To Life" with Amy Lee that is the best version I've ever heard. Lead Guitarist Machiya wrote the new arrangement. There are 16 songs, with several acoustic versions of some of their best songs. It's a real treat. And if you want to really see the traditional side of WGB, check out the video for "Goubosei + Homura", it shows all facets of Yuko's talents, as well as the rest of the band.
As you said you had an affinity for traditional instruments, here are some other artists for you to check out. First, there is Ni Ni Music from Taiwan, a young lady who does great covers on several different Chinese instruments, some of which she built herself. One of her most beautiful covers is "Bridge Over troubled Waters". From China there is an artist named Moyun who specializes in doing covers on the Guhzeng, the Chinese progenitor of the Koto. She is supremely talented. There are also some great Asian folk metal groups like The HU Band from Mongolia and Otyken from Siberia. But check out Ni Ni and Moyun first, lol. Sorry for the long-winded comment, I get carried away, lol. Can't wait for the next WGB reaction. I think any live version of "Senbonzakura" would be a good choice. In addition, there is a gentleman named Frank Garcia on YT who does an amazing job of putting English subtitles on their videos, check him out also.
Over time you'll discover that Japanese audiences are the best, they cheer and wave those glow sticks when appropriate and immediately stop when singing starts or a particular part in the song starts. They are very polite to the performers and each other.
Fantastic!. I was waiting for this reaction in anticipation. This Band is a wonderful combination of virtuosos. The flutist's name is Daisuke Kaminaga, hero for a day on your channel! Thank you for this excellent approach to Waggaki Band.
Beni Ninagawa is a World Class shamisen player.....and a model....and an actress...and my crush. Wagakki Band just oozes talent. The members are a lot of fun off-stage and get along very well with each other after all these years together.....very Band-Maidesque .
Apparently when she "auditioned" for the band, they weren't even looking for another member. She found out where they were practicing, walked in, and said, "you're going to let me in your band". Then she played for them. And they let her in the band.
Definitely the most metal way that a shamisen player ever joined a band.
I look only at Asa outside of band and he seems like really positive person.
There's sone good music around the world, but the Japanese are just doing it better.
Glowsticks are a huge thing in Japan and the crowds tend to be surprisingly polite while still being hyped.
Btw, this band has also done Vocaloid covers. In case you're interested, I suggest checking out "Senbonzakura" and "Rokuchou Nen to Ichiya Monogatari" by Wagakki Band. They're absolutely amazing!
Even in Japan, the average rock music audience doesn't hold a glowstick. However, since this band is strongly connected to youth pop culture, its audience resembles idol fans. glowsticks are usually seen frequently in idol fan culture. You don't see glowsticks at all in regular rock or metal audiences.
Ok, I got one for you:
WHAT IS HIP? [ TOKYO GROOVE JYOSHI COVER ]
There are two versions.. one with a shamisen... the other one with a sax.
The shamisen one is the crowd's favorite.
I concur!
この人、凄いな!!
三味線、尺八、琴を知ってるなんて。😊
What is so amazing about this group is that each member is a master of their particular instrument. They are very intentional about how each part will participate in the song, and each instrument is featured while still blending in with the whole. Their works are always fantastic.
Knowing that, the flute player and vocalist are a cut above to me. All are incredible though. I just flute too
Wagakki Band is a super group created by Yuko Suzuhana the vocalist and she’s the one that personally hand picked each instrumentalist and they’re are some of the best to do it out of the country.
Please check out Versailles Faith and Decision live
There's also a Wagakki Band live with Amy Lee doing the song Bring Me to Life.
Recommend Shamisen Girls Ki&Ki- Tsugaru Jongara Bushi
Shamisen in Tokyo channel
And
Kasumi Watanabe
Sakura 25 string Koto
@@gerardcote8391 A colleague of mine is EVANESCENCE fan and I showed to him this version and he said: It's the best version he has ever seen.
This band is Revolutionary. They do Orchestral stuff that is just Haunting. One of the best Progressive World acts you could possibly imagine. The amount of awe with these musicians is off the hook.
Check also JUNA SERITA female bassist(Tokyo Groove JYOSHI) cover songs What Is Whip, Play That Funky Music...
LOVEBITES bassist Fami channel do cover bass song Alien Alien(viewed 10M++)
Japan is happening with music. I knew would love this.
It's not often that the joy of seeing something is real with reactors. I believe yours, and that makes me happy :D^
By the way: this band can cure depression ^^
Yuko sings in a traditional form know as Shigin, used for poems and other texts. She teaches it as well, and is an accomplished pianist and musician. Here's the bio page from her website:
"Suzuhana Yuko
Japanese singer-songwriter and vocalist of the Wagakki Band.
She studied piano from age 3 and the traditional Japanese performing arts of Shigin (singing) and Kenshibu (sword dancing) from age 5.
Graduated from the Tokyo College of Music with a major in classical piano.
In 2011, she won first place in the Japan National Shigin Contest.
In 2014, she started "Wagakki Band” as the leader to "expand traditional performing arts to the world."
Didn’t she sing the Japanese national anthem or some really traditional song for an official event in Japan
This is fun too, please listen "Bring Me To Life" by Wagakki Band with Amy Lee from EVANESCENCE and WGB Symphonic Orchestra.
It's an awesome collab!
th-cam.com/video/hk1GtYK7BJM/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/hk1GtYK7BJM/w-d-xo.html
焔と暁の糸の海外の方のリアクションたくさん見て来ましたが、あなたのような和楽器に精通した方は始めてみました 更に全てのコメントも的確で高度なコメントで見ていてとても気持ち良いです
This band forced its way into my attention shortly before Band-Maid, about three years ago. They share some similarities. Similar joy of performing, similar casual application of extreme skills - both in playing and song construction, similar lack of ego. The singer won a national contest in shingen. The shakuhachi player has done world tours as a cultural ambassador. The other six have similar levels of credentials. Their mission seems to be to retool the traditional music of rural Japan for the urban age, and just WOW. They were the cause of the first money I’ve spent on CDs in decades. If you’d like to see three and a half minutes of sheer exuberance from them, try Roki. It’s one of their vocaloid covers, and I can’t help listening any time I stumble across it. Guaranteed smile. One last anecdote - The shamisen player showed up at one of their practice sessions and requested a spot in the band. She has said that she saw it as her best chance of being able to play solos. That obviously worked out well for her, as well as us. She’s amazing.
Same here! After years on not purchasing CDs, I bought Tokyo Singing online and listened to it so many times now.
I checked out Band-Maid first, then traditional instrument factor grabbed my attention and checked out a lot of their songs. Then they started to collaborate with Amy Lee and adopted more popular sound, so I went back to Band-Maid and stuck there.
that "wail" or high-pitch note is a "pinch harmonic", which is kinda hard to explain how to do.. best i can manage is its like a double-strike with the pick, or a strike and touch to set off the harmonic instead of the fretted note
So glad you got to hear Wagakki Band, they are so fantastically talented. I'll just comment on the singer, Yuko I think it is. She's a student of not just traditional singing styles, but also a number of other traditional cultural entertainment things, such as sword play and fan dancing, which you saw a bit of in this video. In fact she seems to be something of an aficionado of Japanese fans which are gorgeous.
Please do seek out other videos by them, particularly live performances. There are ones with her wielding her sword beautifully, one in which a whole army of sword dancers suddenly appear from nowhere and do this incredible accompaniment (one wrong move and Yuko would have been mincemeat lol), and so much more. Having said that, look for the official MV of Senbonzakura, as it's so well done.
Aww! I have never seen anyone giggle when classic instruments come on. Made me proud to be from there ❤ I'm partial to koto since grandma used to teach it but I love the whole ensemble!
This video brings joy to my soul every time
From Japan. I was listening to this band before I discovered BAND-MAID. Unfortunately, they are going on hiatus for a while. The singers and Players of Japanese traditional instruments are all master class. This band and BAND-MAID are my top two bands. Thank you for finding them.
Exactly my way! First I discovered Wagakki Band and then Band Maid. (I live in Brazil, so it was a matter of TH-cam algorithm). I love the power, the intricate way of playing their stuff. The Shakuhachi man is really incredible. Once I had one in my hand and I couldn't take any meaningful sound out of it (I am a recorder player). Strong fate - th-cam.com/video/6JCEeSV0fIQ/w-d-xo.html.
@@wanderleyjesus6772 Thank you for your comment.
Similar - a few years back I found this band on Spotify (or TH-cam music) because I was listening to Evanescence and the song Sakura Rising started playing...immediately went on TH-cam and found this song and was hooked ever since.
@@centurybeta2112 Thank you for your comment. I think they, too, transcend genres and are their own genre. It is a shame that they will probably be inactive for a year or so.
I love "traditional Japanese musical instruments" Band (Wagakki). I had never thought the blending of modern & traditional styles could work so flawlessly. I'm happy to be proven wrong. I hope their hiatus at the end of the year will not be too long. Thanks NittPicc for another informative reaction. Cheers.
this has to be one of the best reactions to them. thank you for your great appreciation.I think you will got a lot of recommendations to their songs. mine would be "senbonsakura" (official MV) from their channel.
Great reaction. The gigantic pick is called Bachi. The screeching guitar sound you were talking about is pinch harmonis and you can find tons of tutorials on UTube by "pinch harmonics how to". My recommendations for you to try another Wagakki Band are, a phenomenal fusion of heavy metal and Japanese ethnic music with smoking solo of each member Kyouka Suigetsu + Tsuki Ni Sakebu Yoru th-cam.com/video/aWlMc-pbDc8/w-d-xo.html, and an old piece written for Koto and Shakuhachi in modern arrangement with additional instruments Shamisen and Taiko Haru No Umi (Sea of Spring) th-cam.com/video/xkBgCVQ1DlA/w-d-xo.html. Enjoy!!
Oh dude, you should see them perform Bring me to Life with Amy Lee. Mind-blowing.
Japanese audiences are different.
So to see miss NittPic had a wild EARGASM.😀
Next time please
Please listen to Wagakki Band/Senbonzakura!
and,
Please listen to Wagakki Band / Kishikaisei.
If you want to see the power, check out the PV
After listening to
Please watch LIVE.
If you listen to these three songs, you will find all the goodness of Wagakki Band.
Please reaction VOB
Voice of Bacophet! Girl empowerment!
You should listen to Senbonzakura, best song of than.
You're stepping into a world of musical gods and goddesses here. Yuko, the singer, is a shigin master, vocal coach, kenbu and shibu performer, and classically trained pianist (from age 3). Daisuke, the shakuhachi player, is also a master, and has his own school. Kiyoshi, the koto player, is a cultural ambassador for Japan. Kurona teaches Taiko drumming. Beni (Tsugaru Shamisen) has been performing since she was four and is also a trained minyo singer. Asa (bass) was a vocaloid producer and has his own band. Machiya (guitar) was a music producer and session musician, as well as having other band and solo projects. Wasabi (drums) was a highly sought after session musician. What to listen to next? This one th-cam.com/video/aWlMc-pbDc8/w-d-xo.html
I told you a flutist could have great stage presence! 😂
Great reaction!
He tomado interés por tu canal por ésta canción pero había visto alguno de tus videos.
Me suscribo, hay varios videos de tu canal que he disfrutado mucho también, espero que sigas haciendo videos porque creo que son de mi gusto.
Mucha suerte y un saludo desde España.
That high pitch wail is a Pinch Harmonic. It's just a style of picking. You can hear Kanami do one in the first lead of 'Domination' LIVE. And speaking of BAND-MAID, if you want more Japanese Traditional stuff do BAND-MAID's BAND-MAIKO videos! You've already done 'Secret My Lips'. Now do 'Secret Maiko Lips'. Then you can do the only original BAND-MAIKO song, 'Gion-Cho'. Anywho... Here's a video on how to do a proper Pinch Harmonic, aka Squeelies . . . th-cam.com/video/b3n00AFkfMo/w-d-xo.html
Been waiting for this since you started reacting to Japanese music knowing you are a flutist I knew it was going to be a fun one... not disapointed in that regard 😁 Nice to see that you already know all those instruments and how they are called 👍
All eight members were already well known virtuosos before the band formed. Some teach as well. Yuko (vocalist), who organized the group, is also a concert pianist. (and just had a baby with her husband, the Koto player). For the next one, you should see their cover of "Bring Me to Life" with Amy Lee. It's from a performance they did where they had a small orchestra. The music is great, and the singing, with Yuko, Amy Lee, and the guitarist, is phenomenal.
Thank you so much for reacting to this band. So happy and glad that you new all their instruments! Thanx again for your great reaction!!
Sabaku no Komoriuta! A little hard to find, much more recent than this. Wagakki band has come a very long way from this performance. As suggested, Synchronicity also shows off a totally different manner, with a marvelous video.
この2曲のリアクション動画は沢山ありますが、個人的に一番好きな動画です✨
Yuko Suzuhana has her own channel where she demonstrates and teaches traditional Shigin style vocals. (Beni, the Shamisen player, also has a channel but it seems to be mainly about food)
For a suggestion on what next - definitely watch the following on TH-cam it is exceptional:
Wagakki Band(和楽器バンド):Yoshiwara Lament(吉原ラメント)-Live At Tokyo National Museum
Man it’s refreshing to see a reactor having proper knowledge on instruments being played so well. Bravo 👏
Thanks, this may be my most enjoyable Reaction ever. Some Info: The guitarist was doing 'pinch' harmonics, you pick a note and play a harmonic with your thumbnail on the string at the same time. Lite sticks, and other lite-ups like wristbands are fairly common at larger Japanese shows. *Yuko* teaches 'Shigin' style vocals at University. Shigin is a spoken (sung) poetry that is part of ancient Japanese culture. It features a very wide vibrato - where the individual notes are modulated quartertones. There is a cool video of Wagakki Band playing with a philharmonic orchestra - with guest Amy Lee and Yuko singing *_Bring Me to Life_* th-cam.com/video/hk1GtYK7BJM/w-d-xo.html
Top notch musicians in their own right brought together by the singer. This one is a blast, for a different flavor check out "Synchronicity" (live), another great performance!
Like audience participation.
Check out
BabyMetal Headbanger live legend of 1997.
Versailles Destiny the Lovers live
And
Aldious Dominator live Radiant A O East
I love Wagaki band. Discovered them some years ago, though I like Beni Ninagawa on the Shamisen. If I didn't play bass I would pick up a shamisen. I love how it cuts through the mix but doesn't overpower. Those screaming notes on guitar are called pinch harmonics. If you like traditional music, check out the HU band from Mongolia. They mix traditional and modern and use throat singing in a folk metal style. They are fantastic too.
Yes! After you get a couple of Hu songs by themselves, check them out with Lzzy Hale of Halestorm doing "The Song of Women" which they asked her to write.
Your next reaction MUST be to..
AYREON.
They flute pieces are.. gorgeous.
Sample 1: The song all reactors react first-
"The day that the world breaksdown"
th-cam.com/video/oFuMKdrzPqU/w-d-xo.html
Sample 2, for flute and a 3 voices..
"The valley of the queens"
th-cam.com/video/TbebO5BZi-I/w-d-xo.html
Sample 3: "the theory of everyting"
th-cam.com/video/L3TxOaCZv0w/w-d-xo.html
Sample 4: "the castle hall"
th-cam.com/video/iKGaeQ9f-cY/w-d-xo.html
Ayreon .. an experience:
"The Sixth Extinction"
th-cam.com/video/HAJ0zTMLClQ/w-d-xo.html
音楽に国境は無いといいますが、良い音楽は誰が聞いても良いのが、貴方のリアクションで良く伝わります。
Yeeeesssss!!!! I've been waiting for you to do this reaction, and your reaction when you notice Daisuke-san begins is priceless! I love this band, this song, and this performance. The individual elements of this song are so awesome and memorable...all 8 musicians together are just unforgettable - including the fact that with your music background and that you're knowledgeable about every instrument in this band makes you perfect for reacting and analyzing this particular band. I'm looking forward to more in the future. Great reaction!!!
You would enjoy a band from the 70s called Steeleye Span. They are a rock band that played music from the 15th to 18th century updated to a rock style. Try the song All Around my Hat for a good starting point.
nice reaction👍
Thank you for responding to various Japanese bands.
please next
UnluckyMorpheus/BLACK PENTAGRAM(live)
th-cam.com/video/RUiRlUGMTwY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=uNuTaIGfgRkNOoFF
The Wagakki Band uses instruments that are unusual for a rock band.
UnluckyMorpheus is also unusual among metal bands (though it is sometimes seen in Scandinavian bands) to have an instrumentalist as a member (she and the other members are also top-class in the world in terms of playing skills).
I strongly recommend you see it
I'm using Google's translator, so sorry if the English is weird🙏
When you reacted to Lovebites and you mentioned you wish you could be more expressive on your flute playing this is the band the came in mind.
Enjoy this 2024
They announced that they "will identifinitely pause activities" after end of 2024
🥺😭!
Welcome to the Rabbit Hole called The Wagakki Band. Look closely at Machiya's guitar. It has 29 frets instead of 24 plus it has 7 strings instead of 6. Beni, on the Shamisen, was the Japanese National Champion prior to joining the band. They are far from being a garage or even studio Band. Also Yuko, the singer, is a trained Classical Pianist.
Sounds like you are gonna LOVE this band... 😅
I'm so glad you found this band! I'm going to recommend Hakushu Kassai, which is not one of their really big songs, but if you look up the Dai Shinnenkai 2018 live version (their New Year's concert) it's a tour-de-force in which everyone has a chance to shine. Not only does everyone get a mini-solo, but they do mini-duets, too!
But what I'm going to link you to is a little silly something. The core of the group is actually a smaller minigroup called "Hanafugetsu" (Flower, wind, moon), and it's Suzuhana Yuko (singer and founder of Wagakki Band), Ibukuro Kiyoshi (koto, whom the singer married and had a kid with), and Kaminaga Daisuke (shakuhachi).
In this video, they visit a music school in Ibaraki, Yuko's hometown. At the beginning of the video before they go in Daisuke reveals he has a two-part shakuhachi hidden in his kimono. Later, the class say they've been practicing Senbonzakura, the song that rocketed Wagakki Band to international fame, and ask if the students would like the band to accompany them in a performance.
Everyone looks at Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi: I can ask to borrow one of their koto...
Everyone looks at Daisuke. Daisuke: Well. I mean, I just HAPPEN to have a shakuhachi on me... (pulls it out of his sleeve)
Daisuke is a mischievous prankster and 120% ready to throw out a solo at any given time. You can see how he won a lot of fans, and they even put out a shirt that says, in English, "I need more Shakuhachi".
th-cam.com/video/2cDMtjEsV-Q/w-d-xo.htmlsi=QaKEpMKn6KL9BmQm&t=616
Nice! I have been waiting for you to get this part of your journey. 😊
I'm thrilled you've got to Wagakki Band. I hoped you'd enjoy the Shakuhachi, but didn't know you liked Taiko. Maybe try _Wagakki Band - 知恵の果実 (Chie no kajitsu)+ 什麼生説破(Somosan seppa) / HALL TOUR 2017 四季ノ彩-Shiki no Irodori_ th-cam.com/video/OaC6ZY0KYVc/w-d-xo.html starts at 3m:40s
Almost Pop-Rock but featuring Shakuhachi:_【和楽器バンド】天樂 Tengaku 【VOCALOID】_ th-cam.com/video/Q2meWkWqc-I/w-d-xo.html
Best Wishes. ☮
Really enjoyed your reaction and thanks for all the info, I love the Wagakki band, would also recommend Babymetal and Ado if you don't know them
I would like to see more reactions to the Wagakki Band. She's very cool.
In Japan, it's illegal to have an exposed flame due to the amount of wood and paper used in their traditions, and it's not allowed to bring a cell phone into these venues, because their privacy laws and also restrictions regarding recording live music events. And Japan is VERY serious about their laws. You will see almost everyone wearing a mask, nearly all the time. Partly it's due to the pollution in the air, but it's also a tactic to maintain a certain amount of privacy and personal security. Girls under 20, specifically are required to do this. The video of Fami that I shared in another reaction comment (for Jinjer Pisces) she was only 19 at the time of that recording, I believe. There are some exceptions to the rule, but not many. Welcome to the world of Wagaki Band.
Regarding Asa... damn good bassist, may not be what you see on the video...Asa wrote Yoshiwara Lament I know I was confused for a few months, but then this is Japanese society...Dang, I almost forgot Yuko Suzuhana, (the names are reversed in Japanese), she is a classically trained Shigin style singer, and also sings clean. She is also classically trained concert pianist and does a Samurai sword dance that scares the crap out of me. Sorry about the disjointed way I go about this, it's the way y mind works... lol. The Shakuhachi, the guy playing is a master and you ain't seen nothing yet. Beni is the lady on the Shamisen. And The guy playing the Koto is Yuko's husband (I don''t know if that is true within this video. Ikebukaro? or something like that. The man on the Taiko Drums is Kurona. The other drummer is called Wasabi... (maybe he's really spicy?) Okay, I think I have covered the whole band. I hope this is good information, overall and in particular.
Hello, very good reaction, you should react to another Wagakki Band song called Sasameyuki, the video clip or live, greetings.
Wagakki Band - 生命のアリア (Aria of Life) / 8th Anniversary Japan Tour ∞ -Infinity- [ENG SUB CC] - I highly recommend it
They're one of my favourite bands, so incredibly talented and absolutely badass. I love the combination of traditional instruments and styling with modern rock!
This made me miss Wagakki Band. They kind of got lost in the sauce several years ago. They are AMAZING live. The only band you don’t want to be up close for because there is just too much going on to take it in up close. You’re authentic joy is just too much 💕 You’re also the first reactor I’ve seen who knew the actual name of the wood flute. 🪈
It's called pinch harmonics, and it talks a lot of practice to get it just right! You hold the pick between your thumb and index finger close to the tip of the pick. After plucking the string you roll you hand slightly so that the thumb barely touches the string. There's a sweet spot along the string's length that will give you perfect pitch for the note you're playing. Although it's not too difficult to achieve the effect at first, it takes many hours of practice to perfect to the level heard in this video.
A great explanation.
For another good example of pinch harmonics, try Coheed and Cambria's song "Welcome Home."
@@atlasisshruggingJust listened to it. Excellent execution of the technique. Thanks!
@@PANIC_aka_PinDThanks!
A little trivia:
The lead singer (Yuko Suzuhana) and the koto player (Kiyoshi Ibukuro) married in 2022 and had their first child last year.
They are also in a three-piece group together with the shakuhachi player (Daisuke Kaminaga) called Hanafugetsu. That group has videos on TH-cam as well.
The shakuhachi player is considered a master of the instrument, and you can find him appearing in videos by other TH-cam content creators like Lets Ask Shogo. He also has his own channel.
You have now reacted to the best two bands from Japan; Lovebites and Wagakki Band. Keep going!
ADOとか聞いたら、どんなリアクションされるでしょう?
和楽器バンド /「生命のアリア」MUSIC VIDEO (TVアニメ「MARS RED」OPテーマ) - very very cool
The music coming out of Japan just rocks. Watch (Our shining days) a show about a music school where traditional Chinese instrument artist battle with classical musicians at the school. I'm sure that you will enjoy it.
Yuko has an awesome voice. From my reading, she put this band together so young listeners might appreciate the traditional instruments as well as keeping the culture alive. Senbonzakura, a vocaloid cover, is by far their most popular song. Sun Wheel is awesome and very high tempo. Kyoukasuigetsu, th-cam.com/video/aWlMc-pbDc8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Zg-Nohh7mZKz4cNn - one of my favorites, each member has a killer solo.
Oh, Wagakki Band is yet another awesome unique band full of talent and boy do they churn out bangers! Every song is a must listen and every performance just makes me sadder i havent been able to catch them live (may have to travel to Japan for that one). Tengaku and Senbon Sakura are probably my next recommendations to go from here, but im also really looking forward to you reacting to their 2021 Dai Shinenkai performance of "Sun Wheel". Great video as always Ms. Nittpicc. Thank you!😊
In the opening solo section you’re hearing double pedal bass drums and the Taiko drums doing that at the same time. It’s really effective!
And then there’s Beni shredding on the Shamisen. 😊
I’m an orchestral and world musician with my roots in rock. When I discovered Wagakki band years ago they ticked off all the boxes for me!
If you like traditional instruments mixed with modern music there are some great groups out there. Otyken from Siberia. The Hu from Mongolia. The Afro-Celt Sound System. An older group is Hednigarna that plays a mix of Scandanavian music. There is more if you go down this rabbit hole.
Also, it’s so nice for me to see a reaction video where you know the instruments.😊
Wagakki Band - 星月夜 (Hoshizukiyo) + 天樂 (Tengaku) / Dai Shinnenkai 2018 [ENG SUB CC] - rock flute)) highly recommended
尺八はアゴと首で吹く縦笛といわれているよ。
Almost forgot about the song Kyoka Suigetsu. An awesome instrumental piece that really showcases each member of the band.
The Japanese audience is probably the most disciplined and well-coordinated in the world.
Always makes me smile when someone else discovers this group. The way they blend together is so balanced that it's mind-boggling.
It’s Pinch Harmonics or as they called it “ The Squeal “ 🤘
Wagakki band was started by pianist, poet, composer and Shigin singer Yuko Suzuhana in 2013. They have released 7 studio albums, two of them cover albums of vocaloid songs.
Homura (flame) is a Machiya instrumental that they perform only at concerts, the song is always performed differently with and without Beni and Kurona. The mask he wears is a Noh mask from Noh theater and represents the spirit of a woman. The cut in the eye is not original.
The mask has two expressions: if he looks down, the mask smiles, if he looks up, the mask is angry. He mostly uses the mask on his own instrumental songs.
Akatsuki no ito (thread of dawn) is also written by Machiya and is used as an encore chant by the audience.
haha epic band!
I'm not sure, but I think she liked it.😆
彼女の歌唱法はShiginと言われます、、
'Why did I pick the flute!?' - I guess this counts as one of the reasons why ;) hehe
I first learned about Wagakki Band over a decade ago. Some of their first videos were covers of Vocaloid (computer-generated vocalists) songs. Which i later learned had been written by their bassist, Asa. Most of the performers are national champions in their chosen instruments. Yuko is a champion in shigen; a vocal style used for reciting traditional poetry. She modified it to use as a singing voice. She’s also a champion pianist.
Wagakki Band is a storm of music and Yuko is the eye of that storm.
NINI Music.... Look into it.
Those wailing sounds are pinch harmonics.
Great review, thank you. New sub for you :) A note about the lighted wands you asked about. They're used in a lot of concerts in Japan, primarily the idol / pop groups. Other times you'll see them like here in Wagakki's show. Sometimes the group members of idol groups or bands are identified with a color, so fans will have wands that match the color of their favorite singer of the group. Momoiro Clover Z comes to mind on this. Other groups may not want wands and it's specified beforehand of a concert. Sometimes the audience is asked to withold use of the wands till a certain part of the concert. It varies :) hth