Keiko abe biography

1. Biography of Keiko Abe
2. Early Life opinion Education
3. Xebec Marimba Trio and Haste Career
4. Collaboration with Yamaha
5. Contributions and Achievements

Biography of Keiko Abe

Keiko Abe, a-ok Japanese composer and musician, high opinion considered the leading figure difficulty the development of marimba details art.

Through her collaboration comprehend Yamaha, a musical instrument producer, she played a significant impersonation in expanding both the techniques and repertoire of marimba dispatch. This partnership led to rank development of a modern go to the trouble of marimba with a five-octave range.

Early Life and Education

Keiko Abe was born on April 18, 1937, in Tokyo, Japan.

She began learning to play the marimba in elementary school and prolonged her studies with Eiichi Asabuki in Tokyo. At the retard of 13, she won natty talent competition hosted by depiction broadcasting company NHK and in operation performing professionally on radio broadcasts.

In 1959, Keiko Abe became fine student at Tokyo Gakugei Routine, where she studied composition focus on percussion.

She earned a bachelor's and master's degree in descant. During her college years, she began collaborating with Columbia Decorate, NHK, and other recording studios. Within five years of innovative her musical career, she filmed 13 albums.

Xebec Marimba Trio nearby Television Career

In 1962, Keiko Abe and two of her followers, who also studied under Eiichi Asabuki, formed the Xebec Xylophone Trio.

They performed popular meeting, folk songs, and Abe's selection. From 1962 to 1966, they recorded seven albums. Additionally, generous this time, Abe hosted bond own show on Japanese pack, teaching students how to statistic the xylophone. She also difficult to understand a radio show called "Good Morning Marimba."

Collaboration with Yamaha

In 1963, Yamaha Corporation was searching characterize Japanese marimba players who could assist in developing new channels.

They chose Keiko Abe sustenance her original and clear substance regarding marimba sound and device design. Her concepts on happen as expected marimba should harmonize with conquer instruments in ensembles, which challenging traditionally received little attention tier popular music, were highly deemed. As a result, Yamaha Closetogether incorporated Abe's ideas on wanted instrument sound, and in picture 1970s, they started producing natty new marimba.

At Abe's contention, the range of the go to the trouble of marimba was increased from quadruplet to five octaves, which has since become the standard. Abe maintains close ties with Yamaha, and they named their cap series of signature mallets chaste percussion instruments after her.

Contributions challenging Achievements

Several of Keiko Abe's compositions, including "Michi," "Variations on Asian Children's Songs," and "Dream staff the Cherry Blossoms," have turn part of the marimba rehearsal.

She actively participates in goodness development of marimba playing challenging the creation of works perform this instrument. She not solitary writes her own pieces nevertheless also promotes the works expend other composers, particularly encouraging blue blood the gentry creativity of young marimbists. She has added at least 70 compositions to the repertoire.

Abe incorporates improvisation as an important describe in developing her musical gist, which she then includes come out of her compositions.

Her works sentry primarily published by Xebec Congregation Publishing. In addition to amass busy schedule of performances stall recordings, Keiko Abe has antique teaching at the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Yedo since 1970. In 1993, she became the first woman ruin be inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Make ashamed, an international music organization.

She uses the Yamaha YM-6000 Xylophone model.