Job Discussion Forums

fruitcake · Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 6

curious if any of you teaching there in Japan also play music on the side. I'm in Korea at the moment teaching, and also play in a few bands. The music scene here leaves a little to be desired, so I'm curious how things look over there. Any of you have personal experience or insight in the scene there? Any info greatly appreciated.

Cheers

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Huge music scene here in Tokyo, loads of venues to play at. My friend also plays bass and plays in several bands. We used to go to their gigs, which were quite regular, once a month or so. Got to know other bands' members that they shared billings with.

Myself, I am learning to play the guitar and take lessons once a week. My teacher is a jazz guitarist and teaches in a big music school in Tokyo. He is always playing at gigs.

Are you thinking of relocating?

silent-noise · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 37

are cover bands big over there? i wanna sing in one if i eventually move....or will AEON prohibit me from doing so (if i made money off of it)?

The Dog Ate My Keitai · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 67 Location: Japan

I was frustrated beyond belief yesterday! I asked a friend to borrow his set of bongo drums for a weekend-long music event.... Including live reggae, instrument-making workshop, DJ, camping, BBQ and other fine entertainment.

Well, he said "no problem" but one of the bongo heads is torn and needs to be replaced.

Ok, I figured. Any well-stocked music shop should purvey such a basic item... So I walked into the largest music shop in town, asking if they had any bongo heads (skins)...

"No."

Okay then...... Do you know where I might be able to buy one?

"No."

Alrightee.... Can you order some in for me?

"No."

That's it. No advice, no alternatives, no suggestions.... No contorted-facial gestures and sucking air through the teeth, saying "muzukashii".... Just: NO. I figured that if he said NO just one more time, I would skin the guy myself and use HIS hide to cover my bongoes. (All in the mean time, we're standing next to a store display table COVERED with new bongo drums.... You'd think no one ever tore the head on one???)

So... I went to another music shop.... Same thing happened. Only difference was, this guy actually went to look in his product catalogue to see if he could order this thing for me before saying NO....

I tell ya, some days I really miss home.

/rant

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Where was the event, and how was it?

The Dog Ate My Keitai · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 67 Location: Japan

Sweetsee. Hasn't happened yet. It's this coming weekend. This is the second annual event, and apparently, last year it was really good.

It's being organized by a local Jamaican ethnic-shop owner. 6,000 yen and it includes food, camping space, live entertainment, etc... BYOB and music that you want the DJ to spin...

Local cappoera teacher is putting on a demonstration, and there's going to be a musical-instrument-making workshop to make shakers, percussion isntruments, etc....

I can't wait! Should be a blast!

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

So, the venue is secret?

Curious because I was at a similar event at Sado Island last year and there is a good chance I know those folks. Also, bring your drum there and you will find someone who can help you fix it.

Anyway, our school has their silly festival but I may join you on Monday,
if you can tell me where.

Enjoy yourself,
s

The Dog Ate My Keitai · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 67 Location: Japan

Yup... Secret location. No, j/k. It's in Yamanashi prefecture, close to the town of Nirasaki. It's Saturday-Sunday from about 1pm to about noon the next day.

Sorry, no Monday.... Sad

But as I told my friend.... Call in sick for the undokai.... IT'S A STINKIN' UNDOKAI FOR GOODNESS SAKES!!!!!

But yeah, if anyone is SERIOUSLY interested in coming, send me a PM with your contact details and maybe I can have the event organizer get in touch with you...

cornishmuppet · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 642 Location: Nagano, Japan

Playing my first gig (just me and a guitar) a week on Saturday in a pub on the outskirts of Nagano. Pretty scared!

There seems to be a lot of venues around, but if you want to make any money you probably have to go to a big city. People do play paying gigs here, but most of the live houses charge 1500Y to get in which is their profit, and if you want to make money for yourself you have to jack up the price. For the equivalent of 2000Y you could see a lot of chart bands back in England, so you might not get such a crowd.

Some of the better playing ex-pats from Nagano area go down to Tokyo and say there are a lot of places that pay there. If you just want gigs its easy, the first time I went for a busk I got offered a live house gig, but money is more difficult to come by. In a big city try busking, I had a friend here who said he could make 10000Y a night in Tokyo tube stations. My best return in Nagano is a paltry 1300Y though!

Good luck.

Chris

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Hi Cornishmuppet,

How long have you been playing the guitar, if I may ask? And what artists inspire you?

I started playing 4 years ago and love Dylan. Ever heard of "Bob"?
Japanese musician living in a village in Nagano, nice guy. Met him at Sado Island last year.

Anyway, knock 'em dead up there this weekend, wish we could come!

Enjoy,
s

cornishmuppet · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 642 Location: Nagano, Japan

Thank you very much, sweetsee!

My dad was a big fan of Dylan, I don't know so much, but he's pretty cool.

I've been playing for about 12 years, so that I'll be since I was about 14. I'm not so good, but I write my own stuff so I hope that'll carry me through. I listen to alternative rock, like Pumpkins, but my own music is half slow stuff, half more upbeat rock. I'm about to find out whether its any good or not!

I'm afraid I don't know 'Bob'. He's probably around somewhere though!

Went to Sado myself last year, it was very, very good.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Hi Cornishmuppet,

You are very welcome. You must be a very good musician, I wish I could catch your show. Please let me know when you will be playing around Tokyo.

When you say you were at Sado last year, do you mean you went to the Earth Fest? We left before that but were at a 3-day festival featuring non-stop musical entertainment. They had drum work-shops and dancers and lots of good stuff. I actually ran into several folks I had met before, good fun!

Anyhows, thanks for the reply and they are going to love you up there!

Enjoy,
s