Enjoy performing TEN diverse pieces for solo marimba, originally composed by Minoru Miki for solo koto. The pieces range in difficulty level from easy-advanced, and all are between 2:00-4:00 long.

The various glisses, grace notes and embellishments are meant to emulate the unique sounds created in the original koto works. Miki has heard my koto arrangements and has given his approval for their publication and performance.

Enjoy performing TEN diverse pieces for solo marimba, originally composed by Minoru Miki for solo koto. The pieces range in difficulty level from easy-advanced, and all are between 2:00-4:00 long....

PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL MOVEMENTS...Enjoy performing ANY of TEN diverse pieces for solo marimba, originally composed by Minoru Miki for solo koto. The pieces range in difficulty level from easy-advanced, and all are between 2:00-4:00 long.

The various glisses, grace notes and embellishments are meant to emulate the unique sounds created in the original koto works. Miki has heard my koto arrangements and has given his approval for their publication and performance.

PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL MOVEMENTS...Enjoy performing ANY of TEN diverse pieces for solo marimba, originally composed by Minoru Miki for solo koto. The pieces range in difficulty level from easy-advanced,...

This exercise book consists of 2-Mallet and 4-Mallet exercises that have unique play-along tracks. Musical styles of the tracks include Rock-n-Roll, Latin, Samba, African, Jazz, Pop, and Funk. Multiple tempos are used for all Fundamentals allowing players and ensembles from beginner to advanced levels to build upon their technical abilities. The book comes with two full-size posters to hang and easily view while learning and playing though the exercises.

This exercise book consists of 2-Mallet and 4-Mallet exercises that have unique play-along tracks. Musical styles of the tracks include Rock-n-Roll, Latin, Samba, African, Jazz, Pop, and Funk....

The original “Cassiopeia” was composed for a 21-string koto quintet with the five kotos set-up in an order similar to the Cassiopeia constellation. (Cassiopeia forms a ‘W’ in the sky with five stars and is located very near the Pole Star. Half of the night the constellation is upside-down forming a ‘M’.) The highest koto is on the left, a bass koto is on the right, the main soloist is in the middle, and the other two are behind them and sometimes give a percussive-like effect. This idea brought a brilliant tone color and nice balance that expressed a human desire of long, endless emotion and affection. “Cassiopeia” was commissioned by “21-string Ecole” and premiered in 1982 in Tokyo, Japan. The adaptation works to emulate the sounds of the koto including slides, bends and glisses. Different grace note figures are used to create these effects including dead strokes, playing on the nodes and open tones. The world & PASIC premieres of this adaptation were performed on November 2 &

The original “Cassiopeia” was composed for a 21-string koto quintet with the five kotos set-up in an order similar to the Cassiopeia constellation. (Cassiopeia forms a ‘W’ in the sky with...

Although composed for the same amateur drum group from Komatsushima city, “Kincho Daiko” provides a contrasting mood to “Yoshitsune”. Kincho is the name of a famous raccoon dog from Komatsushima city. Japanese folklore speak of Kincho being mischievous, silly, and absent-minded. The light-hearted nature of the piece uses the Zomeki rhythm throughout with many shakuhachi players. The amateur drum group would regularly play “Kincho Daiko” after a long work week and could have up to thirty people playing drums and shakuhachi.

Although composed for the same amateur drum group from Komatsushima city, “Kincho Daiko” provides a contrasting mood to “Yoshitsune”. Kincho is the name of a famous raccoon dog from...

This marimba and drum duet has been coined “Little Marimba Spiritual”. Maintaining a driving energy throughout, the marimba solo and percussion duet weave through mixed meters, flourishing runs and various moods.

This marimba and drum duet has been coined “Little Marimba Spiritual”. Maintaining a driving energy throughout, the marimba solo and percussion duet weave through mixed meters, flourishing runs...

In the 12th century, a famous young Japanese general by the name of Yoshitsune attacked and defeated his enemy, Heike, at Yashima island. Using a surprise attack, Yoshitsune sailed by ship from Osaka and arrived on the other side of the island at Komatsushima city. The army then rode horses to attack Heike. “Yoshitsune Daiko” was composed for an amateur drum group from Komatsushima city and this music describes Yoshitsune’s story.

In the 12th century, a famous young Japanese general by the name of Yoshitsune attacked and defeated his enemy, Heike, at Yashima island. Using a surprise attack, Yoshitsune sailed by ship from...

(Composed ca. 1922, Arranged 2006, Adapted 2010)
“Yurikago” (Cradle) is a Japanese folk song, originally written around 1922 by composer Shinsaku Kusakawa and lyricist Hakusyu Kitahara. It is a song my mother used to sing to me as a child. The sound of stone (sanukite*) and wood (marimba) is well suited to describe the nostalgic scene of a baby sleeping in its mother’s arms. Although the original song is written in 4/4, this arrangement is written in 3/4 to convey a swinging cradle feeling, and the orchestration was kept very simple to emphasize the warmth and tenderness of the original melody.

-Rika Fujii, translated by Haruka Fujii


*A Sanukite is a keyboard instrument made out of sanukite stones found in the Kagawa Prefecture of Japan. Rika originally arranged this folk song as a marimba/sanukite duo for her and her Mom, Mutsoku Fujii.


The original duo performance can be found on:
Yamato Uta: Japanese Folk Songs for percussion ensemble
Onken-012

(Composed ca. 1922, Arranged 2006, Adapted 2010)
“Yurikago” (Cradle) is a Japanese folk song, originally written around 1922 by composer Shinsaku Kusakawa and lyricist Hakusyu Kitahara. It...

The ‘Z’ of “Z Conversion” is an initial derived from the word zomeki.  Zomeki refers to the rhythm used in the Awa dance from my hometown of Tokushima, Japan.  I have come to use this rhythm as one way to express my musical identity in scherzando sections of my serious compositions.  Elements in the last half of “Convexity” (1970) and “Z Concerto” (1992), a percussion duo concerto, are similar to “Z Conversion”.  The performers may freely bring in ethnic and folk instruments.  Also, because there is repetition, the performers may also improvise and play around with the rhythms at anytime.  The sixth percussionist plays the role of a conductor and assumes responsibility as the general leader of the ensemble.  

"Z Conversion" was commissioned by the Kunitachi College of Music Percussion Ensemble and premiered on November 9, 2005. The U.S. and PASIC premieres were performed on November 2 & 10, 2006, respectively, by the Texas A&M University-Commerce Percussion Ensemble.

The ‘Z’ of “Z Conversion” is an initial derived from the word zomeki.  Zomeki refers to the rhythm used in the Awa dance from my hometown of Tokushima, Japan.  I have come to use this...