The Japan News language seems music new world
Jazz pianist Makoto Ozone Mr. of the US Boston prestigious, graduated from the Berklee College of Music summa cum laude, passionate performance that does not look at an example to the other has a high reputation in many parts of the world. Exchanges with his mentor Gary Burton and his colleagues jazz tycoon musicians also wide. Without questioning mind that insatiable Mr. Ozone of is, glimpse in attitude began to deeply absorb the music while learning English.
◆ ル ー ム メ ー ト た ち の 助力
5 May 2016, to challenge the jazz masters Chick Corea and the Piano Concerto in the regular concert of the NHK Symphony Orchestra, drew the applause of the audience. Have a father of Hammond organ player, "jazz piano prodigy" was television appearances in the 7-year-old, has now piled up prominent musicians and played around the world.
Is brought to his father since I was in elementary school, was a session together in the dressing room of the musician we came from the United States. I want to go to study jazz in the United States, I think that want to have the opportunity to speak English has become stronger.
In order to fulfill a dream, during the high school every year, for three weeks stay in Hawaii to hand the money obtained in performance. Can also play friends through the piano, it was no longer afraid to speak in broken English. "Even in the horrendous English, anyway, was the experience to be" sound "that you are thinking."
Eventually English grades of high school, but did not rise from the "2" of failing barely, as the "piano even would somehow if any", is studying life in the Berklee College of Music began.
The university is, has produced many prominent jazz musicians. Lecture level was placed in the entrance originally was the lowest class. If it goes to the direct negotiation to school side in the complaint, it is to show the answer of the test, "You do not know the treble clef" (you do not know even treble clef) was told. The basic symbols used in the music also, but nothing as did not know what say in English. But, where withdraw not, "Can I play?" And was Mise playing the piano in front of the eye, who pulled up immediately to the top class.
1 year from there, study of English was a continuous struggle. Even music terms become somehow seen, it was still not be able to fully understand that speaking teacher.
Classmate and roommate us, every time, because he taught me how to use the patiently English, was really helped. For example, in the sentence, "This word is by easy to understand place to put it," it gave me the easy advice to understand written on paper with. If you have questions, such as "Why do the people that say", while continuing to further ask again, such as sentence structure and pronunciation of the flow is coming to a head, then followed by the words come out from smoothly mouth It became so. Order to increase the conversation, put the distance from a group of Japanese, was to have many, even a little chance to speak English.
By, for example, read the reference book of the arrangement, which was written at the library in English, English music was also deepened acceleration understood. Originally, pitch that was cultivated in jazz is enough to be unreasonable the difference between the fine voice, also had quite a few words that are not written to be pronounced to remember in the ear. That every time you check the spelling Ri (tsuzuic) in the dictionary in, went up the vocabulary (Goi) force. I was keenly aware of the importance of learning to read and write. "Again, for the first time if there is a conviction that their speech is correct as well as the structure of the sentence, can either speak loudly in public, study can also proceed to a more difficult level."
◆ 恩師 と の 出 会 い
Before Graduation, things at a party held at the president's house. In a corner, and to relax playing the quiet ballad, in the manner in which Mr. global vibraphone player Gary Burton was impressed, "So, you can play piano after all." (I you've got properly play the piano ) and it has been multiplied by the voice. Previously, Mr. Burton had seen his flashy playing, it seems to have been holding an unfavorable impression. Then, "I thought you were a kid with so much facility but you did not know what to do with it." (I there is a technique, I thought I do not know how to use) was told.
This made friends the opportunity, in the debut of 1984, Mr. Barton is me support, played also co-starred in the songs. Over the next six years, he has traveled around the world as a member of his band.
In the band, indispensable to tell each other in words whether you are playing feel what is their own. Not only the music, became a stimulus even on to expand the width of the English ｅxpression, it is the presence of Mr. book lovers of Burton. "He uses a lot of words that has never been poetic ｅxpressions and heard. It was close to that person Nii is, was really good for me."
If the accompaniment is too conspicuous, "Do not get in my way." (I disturb), and are not allowed to reverse "Come on, play." (Come on) and fly Burton's voice. I received a guidance for much accompaniment even during the break. "His words tell you the real joy of talking to the people using the. Music that had shot an all manner"
Burton says to retire this year. In the hope of the person, the last tour in May and June this year, is carried out in Japan. I met with more than 30 years, it plans to play a large number also songs of memories. We are in want and enthusiasm to make a get to feel the firm audience a happy their music life stage.
◆ through foreign language, more sensibility richly
I feel in contact with the young people as a professor of Kunitachiondai is bound to overflowing music information, but the fact that "very often the child to try to avoid mistakes."
Thing is to forget that you have learned from the people, but the theory is that the answer is not to forget the absolutely found out on their own. The United States of musicians is often "What do you want to do?" Asks (if you want to?) And. It "sense of speed" with only first-class musicians feel in exchanges with them. Fast it does not mean that accurately engrave the sound. Rather than "what to do", clearly has a "if you want what you", to the world of the song, hot, and deeply come into the feeling, but its momentum.
In the hectic day-to-day, unawares feel like a force to be expressed in music had been depleted, and spread in earnest playing field and to classical music in 2003. Fun learning something new is, I feel the greatness of the music, "it is quite different views, such as finding an oasis" mind was.
Language, tells us the pleasure to talk to the other party. Music the same way as, open up a new world.
"I, in the English and Japanese, as well as trying to say something to look at the same thing, and speak the representation content is different. Foreign language, can recognize the feelings that I did not notice in me, sensibility is very richly Become"
(Kono Etsuotoko)
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Expanse I - Makoto 1961 Kobe was born. US signed a CBS and the first Japanese record exclusive contract, debut album "OZONE". Nominated for a Grammy Award in 2003. Also working on classic, co-starring with major orchestras at home and abroad. Now who is also professor Kunitachi College of Music. Speech
============================================================================================================================================== 読売新聞社 「英語では、相手の言っていることが分かるように、まずは聞く力をつけるのが大事だと思う」と話す小曽根真さん（繁田統央撮影） 私の英語勉強法／小曽根真さん（ジャズピアニスト）
The Japan News言語は音楽 新しい世界が見える
ジャズピアニストの小曽根真さんは米ボストンの名門、バークリー音楽大学を首席で卒業し、他に例をみない情熱的な演奏は世界各地で高い評価を得ている。恩師ゲイリー・バートン氏らジャズ界の大物ミュージシャンとの交流も幅広い。小曽根さんの飽くなき探求心は、英語を学びながら音楽を深く吸収していった姿勢に垣間見える。
◆ルームメートたちの助力
2016年５月、NHK交響楽団の定期演奏会でジャズの巨匠チック・コリアとピアノ協奏曲の演奏に挑戦し、聴衆の喝采を浴びた。ハモンド・オルガン奏者の父親を持ち、７歳でテレビ出演した「ジャズピアノの神童」は、今や世界中の著名な演奏家と共演を重ねている。
小学生の頃から父親に連れられ、米国から来た演奏家らの楽屋で一緒にセッションした。ジャズを学びに米国に行きたい、英語を話す機会を持ちたいという思いが強くなった。
夢をかなえるため、高校在学中は毎年、演奏で得たお金を手にハワイに３週間滞在した。ピアノを通じて遊び友達もでき、片言の英語でもしゃべることが怖くなくなった。「むちゃくちゃな英語であっても、とにかく、考えていることを『音』にする体験をした」
高校の英語の成績は結局、落第ぎりぎりの「２」から上がりはしなかったが、「ピアノさえあれば何とかなるだろう」と、バークリー音大での留学生活が始まった。
同大は、著名なジャズ演奏家を数々輩出してきた。入学当初に入れられたのは講義レベルが一番低いクラスだった。それが不満で学校側に直談判に行くと、テストの答案を見せられ、“You don’t know the treble clef” （あなたは、ト音記号も知らない）と言われた。楽譜で使われる基本的な記号も、英語で何と言うか分からなかったのだ。だが、そこで引き下がらず、“Can I play?” と目の前でピアノを弾いてみせたところ、すぐにトップクラスに引き上げてくれた。
そこからの１年、英語の勉強は苦労の連続だった。音楽用語は何となく分かるようになっても、先生の話すことが十分に理解できないままだった。
級友やルームメートたちが、毎回、根気強く英語の使い方について教えてくれたため、本当に助けられた。例えば、文章中、「この単語はここに置いた方が分かりやすいよ」と紙に書いて分かりやすくアドバイスをくれた。疑問があれば、「なぜその方がいいのか」などと、さらに問い返すことを続けるうちに、文章構造や発音の流れなどが頭に入ってきて、次に続く言葉がすんなりと口から出てくるようになった。 会話力を上げるため、日本人のグループから距離を置き、英語を話す機会を少しでも多く持つようにした。
図書館で英語で書かれた編曲の参考書を読むなどして、英語も音楽も加速度的に理解が深まった。 もともと、ジャズで培った音感は細かな音声の違いを聞き分けられるほどで、耳で覚えて発音はできるのに書けない単語も少なからずあった。そのたびに辞書で綴（つづ）りを確認し、語彙（ごい）力を上げていった。読み書きの学習の重要性を痛感した。「やはり、自分の話し方が文章の構造としても正しいという確信があって初めて、人前で大きな声で発言もできるし、勉強もより難しいレベルに進めることができる」
◆恩師との出会い
卒業直前、学長宅で開かれたパーティーでのこと。片隅で、リラックスして静かなバラードを弾いていると、世界的ビブラフォン奏者ゲイリー・バートン氏が感心した様子で、“So, you can play piano after all.”（君はちゃんとピアノを弾けるんだね）と声をかけてきた。以前、自分の派手な演奏を見ていたバートン氏は、好ましくない印象を抱いていたようだ。続いて、“I thought you were a kid with so much facility but you didn’t know what to do with it.”（技術があるけど、使い方を知らないと思っていた）と言われた。
これを機に親しくなり、1984年のデビュー作では、バートン氏がサポートしてくれ、収録曲で共演も果たした。その後６年にわたり、彼のバンドの一員として世界各地を旅した。
バンドでは、各自がどう感じて演奏しているかを言葉で互いに伝えることが欠かせない。音楽だけでなく、英語表現の幅を広げる上でも刺激になったのは、読書家のバートン氏の存在だ。「彼は詩的な表現や聞いたことのない単語を多く使う。あの人の近くにいたことが、自分にとってすごく良かった」
伴奏が目立ちすぎると、“Don’t get in my way.”（邪魔だ）、逆に遠慮していると“Come on, play.”（入ってこい）とバートン氏の声が飛ぶ。休憩中もずっと伴奏について指導を受けた。「彼の言葉はすべて的を射ていた。音楽を使って人と会話することの本当の喜びを教えてくれた」
バートン氏は今年引退する。本人の希望で、最後のツアーが今年５月と６月、日本で行われる。出会って30年以上、思い出の曲も多数演奏する予定だ。幸せな自分たちの音楽人生をしっかり聴衆に感じてもらえるステージを作りたいと意気込んでいる。
◆外国語通し、より感性豊かに
国立音大の教授として若者たちと接する中で感じるのは、あふれる音楽情報に束縛され、「間違えないようにしようとする子が非常に多い」ということだ。
人から教わったことは忘れてしまうものだが、自分で見つけ出した答えは絶対に忘れないというのが持論。米国の演奏家たちはしばしば “What do you want to do?”（どうしたい？）と聞いてくる。彼らとの交流で感じるのは一流の演奏家だけが持つ「スピード感」だ。速く正確に音を刻むということではない。「どうすべきか」ではなく、「どうしたいのか」を明確に持ち、その曲の世界に、熱く、そして深く気持ちを入れてくる、その勢いだ。
多忙な日々の中で、いつのまにか音楽で表現する力が枯渇してしまったように感じ、2003年にクラシック音楽へと本格的に活動の場を広げた。新たなことを学ぶ楽しさ、音楽の偉大さを感じ、「全く景色が違う、オアシスを見つけたような」気がした。
言語は、相手と会話する喜びを教えてくれる。音楽と同じように、新しい世界を開く。
「僕は、英語と日本語では、同じものを見て何か言おうとしても、表現内容が違う。外国語を話せると、自分の中の気づかなかった感情を認識でき、感性がすごく豊かになる」
（河野越男）
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おぞね・まこと 1961年神戸市生まれ。米CBSと日本人初のレコード専属契約を結び、アルバム「OZONE」でデビュー。2003年にはグラミー賞にノミネート。クラシックにも取り組み、国内外の主要オーケストラとも共演。現在は国立音楽大学教授も務める。Speech