Most enka pieces are written in minor keys. Presumably, it is due to the songs' most popular subject: disappointed love and unrequited love. Recent pop/rock pieces, countrapuntally, are increasingly written in major keys.

There are few enka pieces in a fast tempo, because the lyrical characteristic of enka does not fit a fast tempo. Many pop/rock pieces are in fast tempos. Some of them are written for disco dancing. Young people generally do not listen to enka because of its dark mood created by minor keys and its slow tempos, which do not fit their vital youthfulness.

Enka is too gloomy to young people, partly because enka pieces are accompanied by an orchestra that frequently includes a guitar or a saxophone. The orchestra is usually organized by record companies and is almost the same for all enka pieces. Rock singers usually organize their groups by themselves, as in American rock groups, and the instrumentation may vary from one singer to another. Pop singers may use a rock band or a small orchestra, depending on vocalist's character and preference.

Enka emphasizes the pentatonic character of music more than pop/rock music. Instrumental preludes, interludes, and postludes often include clear pentatonic melodies and cadences. Rock/pop music tries to avoid clear pentatonic qualities. Even when the vocal melody is purely pentatonic, the composers try to obscure its character with colorful harmony and instrumentation.

Lastly, the style of enka is much more strongly fixed. Many pieces are based on a certain patterned rhythm, which is one of the elements that keeps the young away from enka. Many "okazu" (side dishes), or ornamental short motives, are inserted between vocal phrases like punctuation, such as commas and periods. Pop/rock has a variety of music styles, influenced by its contemporary American counterpart. Recently, rap music, besides pop/rock, has become increasingly popular. The groups like the "Suchadarapâ and the "East end x Yuri" produced Japanese rap songs in Japanese language.

Because there is no single method to train singers, the way of singing kayô-kyoku varies considerably from one singer to another. For example, Mori Shin-ichi's voice is husky and sounds similar to the Shinnai-bushi singer of the Edo period. Matsutôya Yumi's singing style is soft with an occasional nasal sound in the high register. Generally, enka singers tend to ornament notes heavily and frequently change the length of each note slightly. Pop/rock singers tend to sing songs plainly with much less ornamentation. Japanese pop/rock has been influenced so strongly by its American counterpart that it uses Western instruments exclusively Few enka pieces, such as Yosaku, or Woodcutter Yosaku, occasionally adds traditional instruments to the orchestra. Such a piece adds traditional "flavor" to Western-influenced kayô-kyoku pieces.

Go to the next section (Section 8)
Go to the previous section (Section 6)
Go to the Table of Contents
Go home