Modernizing Traditional Filipino Music
June 5, 2007I think I’m on a roll about music hehe… See There’s no Pop Songs in the Philippines
I was in contact with the site admin of Pinoy Centric, (you have to check them out!) and its been awhile since I asked them a question… If there’s any band/group that uses traditional instruments in the Philippines to create rock/modern music.
This might be a weird question or an odd combination… rock and traditional… what the hey!? Are you nuts? Traditional is traditional and modern is modern.
Making “modern” and or (*gasp*) pop music with traditional instruments can sound great.
Examples:
Japan has the Yoshida Brothers:
Now what does it sound with a rock group singing?
Monkey Majik (Canadian Teachers that became a hit in Japan) + Yoshida Brothers
And China has the Twelve Girls Band (they’re actually 13… one backup) HQ Version (37 mb, wmv)
Another sample, playing New Classicism, due to youtube the HQ version is gone 
Where’s the group that uses kulinta from Magindanao, with the nose flutes and gangsa from the north with a mix of guitar from the Spanish. And maybe a great vocalist (you probably don’t even have to). Now you got a great band with the whole Filipino pride behind it.
Filipinos are even crazy about music see Indonesia, Philippines have most music-mad youngsters
Addendum:
Just have to put this in too! Classic Music done for modern times
Previous Comments
What about Grace Nono and Joey Ayala? They use a lot of traditional instruments like the kulintang, the balimbing, etc.
From the point of view of formal (or learned music, but mistakenly classified as classical), composers like Lucresia Kasilag are considered “modern” music in the same way as Aaron Copland (from the US) and perhaps, Debussy and Stravinsky. Kasilag also makes use of a lot of traditional instruments, ethnic rhythms, and combines them with the more modern or western melodies and harmonies.
Choral arrangers, including Ryan Cayabyab, makes use of traditional children’s songs like leron-leron sinta, penpendesarapen and arranges them in a modern way for choir.
You are very right… fuxing the modern with the traditional makes for a very unique musical experience.
Posted by Toe at June 5, 2007, 5:43 pmHey Toe,
The reason I did not cite Joey Ayala is because I think the type of songs he tends to play is still part of folk music really. Not that progressive enough. As for Grace Nono, I searched her on youtube… and I like what I heard in Pandayon…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwcsaN0JJfc
add some drums and electric guitar under there plus a little faster rhythm = wow!
As for Kasilag, has she done like an orchestra of filipino instruments? I only found an 8-string guitar video.
I think revival of culture and adding some modern part of it plays a big part in a country’s progression.
Thanks!
Posted by waketrex at June 6, 2007, 11:13 amAsin
Lokal Brown
Bag-iw
Pinikpikan
Grupong Pendong
Bayang Barrios
Heck, even:
APO
Francis M
I lived in the Philippines during the 80’s-90’s I’ve heard to most of them but did you actually took the time to check out the videos?
There’s a distinct sound and panache that separates
between the groups/artists that you’ve told me.
Maybe more or less you can say that the samples I’ve cited actually targets their local market and as well as the international market.
Posted by waketrex at June 8, 2007, 12:04 pmThat twelve girls group and the last vid playing with his guitar are good!!! damn! Actually including the yoshida bros…
Posted by janus3185 at June 8, 2007, 9:04 pmcheck out pinikpikan
Posted by hablon at June 24, 2007, 6:51 pmhi!we are looking for a philippine traditional instruments group performers to perform at our trance party on sept 28 2007
we want to colaborate philippine traditional music with trance music like what we did on our korean trance parties where we mixed korean traditional drums wuth progressive trance for our intro.
Ria Miranda - 09158514089
www.tranceraid.com
I liked the Yoshida Brothers the first time i heard them play. A very unique rock experience it is. I hope there would be some like them here in the Philippines—OPMs I hear from the radio now are just love songs and novelty songs. I don’t dislike love songs, but I’m somehow getting tired of its predominant musical style.
Posted by Aja Lapus at June 5, 2007, 1:26 pm