Since ancient times, Hawaii has been believed to be a place where the mysterious source of power, "Mana," resides in all of nature, including the ocean, mountains, and plants. The music born from the climate, people, and sensibilities of Hawaii has a mysterious power to soothe our souls.

Herb Ohta Jr., a ukulele player living in Hawaii, visited Japan in February. We had the opportunity to speak with him in between his busy schedule of concerts and workshops.

Listening to Hawaiian music is a relaxing way to relax

--How often do you come to Japan?

Junior Nippon visits about three times a year, and we are grateful that people of all ages always come to see our concerts.

--What is the influence behind your warm and peaceful music?

Junior: Listening to Hawaiian music is one of the ways I relax. Traditional Hawaiian music is sung in the Hawaiian language.

Most of these songs use words like sea, sky, and flowers to express the "mana" that the Hawaiian people value, which is gratitude and prayer to nature.



--That spirit is also reflected in the instrumental Hawaiian music that you make, isn't it?

Junior: That's true. Also, when I go to listen to music, I don't just enjoy it, I analyze it as I listen.

--Is there anything you consider important when deciding on the songs to perform?

The first thing juniors need to consider is whether they like the melody. Also, the ukulele is an instrument that cannot sustain a sound for a long time due to its characteristics.

With that in mind, the deciding factor is whether the song is suitable for the ukulele.

In addition to traditional Hawaiian music, my repertoire also includes a few J-POP songs, all of which have melodies that I really like.

Lie down and become one with the instrument

--Junior is not only enthusiastic about live performances but also about workshops. Is there anything you consider important when teaching the ukulele?

We want everyone to experience the joy of playing the junior ukulele.

Once you get to a certain level of ability, you may start to get tired of it, but I hope you can get over that and find it even more enjoyable.

--What advice do you give to experienced people who have hit a wall along the way to help them move forward?

There are many possibilities with a junior fretboard. For example, there are many different fingerings available for a single chord, so I encourage you to try them out.

Rhythm and timing are also important, so I offer advice on various practice methods, such as training using a metronome.

--Junior, I heard that you learned from your father, Herb Ohta, when you were a child. Do you have any memories of your lessons back then?

The most memorable thing for Junior was when he was asked to lie on his back on the floor and try playing. By lying on your back, you can't see your hands and can concentrate on the sound.

And I think my father wanted me to imagine becoming one with the instrument while playing.

--You must have learned a lot from your father, both as a player and as a teacher, but what was the biggest influence on you?

Junior : It's all there is to it. I think what I learned from my father is coming out of me without me even realizing it. If there's a difference between us, it's just our feelings towards music.

--Please tell us about the instruments you are using now.

I play a Junior KAMAKA tenor ukulele. It was custom made and I had my name engraved on it. It's made of koa.

It's a traditional material that is often used for high-quality ukuleles. It looks very beautiful, and I especially like the tone it produces.

I want to spread the ukulele to as many people as possible.

-What does the ukulele mean to you, Junior?

Junior: The ukulele is like a blanket that little ones can't live without. It makes them feel safe and like they can do anything.

-Please tell us about your future prospects.

Junior: I want more people to know about the ukulele than I want my name to be known. We will all die someday.

I envision future generations of people loving and playing the ukulele, and I plan to continue working to spread the word about the ukulele.

So that when I'm reborn, I'll be able to play the ukulele again. Also, next year will mark my 30th anniversary as a professional musician, so I'm currently planning various things.

Please look forward to it.



--thank you very much.

(Interviewer: Della Production Department, Interpreter: Kumei Leila)

Profile

Herb Ohta Jr.
Herb Ohta, Jr. (real name: Herbert T. Ohta)
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1970. His father is Herb Ohta, also known as "Ohta-san," a master of the ukulele. He received formal lessons from his father as a child. In 1990, he made his professional debut by participating in his father's album. He has since participated in numerous recordings.

He released his first solo album in 1997. Since then, he has consistently released solo albums, becoming a pioneer among the new generation of ukulele players. At the same time, he has also been active in promoting the ukulele and its music, opening his own ukulele school in 1992 and leading a busy life as an instructor. He has toured not only Hawaii but also the US mainland and Japan, spreading the wonders of the ukulele to many people.

CD Information

Hawaiian Cafe
~The Best of Hawaiian Sound
■DLDH-1906～7
￥2,000+tax/119 minutes
JAN: 4961501 651534

This two-disc compilation album features 30 tracks from Della's Hawaiian recordings, including those by Herb Ohta Jr., Brian Kessler, and Stephen Jones. Disc 1 features refreshing numbers with a "Morning & Afternoon" theme, while Disc 2 features moody tracks with a "Evening & Night" theme. Click here for the product page >>>

Live Information

"Song Opening from Okinawa! Song Day Concert 2019"

Date and time: Sunday, June 30, 2019 Doors open at 13:30 / Performance begins at 15:30 (scheduled)
Venue: Kaneku Seaside Park, Kadena Town, Okinawa Prefecture
*Opening and starting times are subject to change.

Ticket prices: <Advance sale> Adults: ¥3,000 (excluding tax), Junior high and high school students: ¥1,000 (excluding tax)
*Free for elementary school students and preschool children
*Group discounts available
【inquiry】
Uta no Hi Executive Committee (PM Agency)
TEL: 098-898-1331 (Monday to Friday 10:00-18:00 excluding holidays)
Utanohi Concert Official Website: http://www.utanohi.jp/