PROFILE of inventor
Wataru Ohkawa (MUTO KAMPEI)
Inventor of the innovative Mutoh Music Method and the owner/producer of Chromatic Lab Inc., I moved my base from Harajuku, Tokyo, to Sapporo, Hokkaido, in 2024. Now, through operating the outdoor facility "OLA GA TOCHI" in Atsuta Ward, Ishikari City, I'm actively proposing new lifestyles, engaging not only in music education and keyboard instrument innovation but also enthusiastically contributing to regional revitalization and sustainable social development.
To Encourage Flexible Thinking and Support Creativity
During my student years, I struggled more than most when it came to studying. When I entered music high school, I genuinely attempted to engage seriously with musical studies such as harmony, counterpoint, composition, and piano. Yet, my primary concern was always, "How can I make this tedious learning process simpler, more logical, and quicker?"
More than forty years have passed since then. Over time, my initial mindset of "wanting to learn easily and efficiently" evolved into a clear vision: "While recognizing the value of traditional methods, I aspire to completely reinvent an ideal musical environment suited to contemporary needs, free from existing conventions."
It's not that I dislike staff notation itself. Staff notation has preserved tradition and historical value for hundreds of years in the classical music world, maintaining its dignity as "sheet music art." I genuinely respect its steadfast dedication to preserving tradition.
However, today’s primary use of sheet music is music education. Since its purpose has shifted significantly from that of six centuries ago, it needs a format appropriate for modern times.
The Mutoh Music Method that I have developed is a rational, intuitive musical system ideally suited for today's world, transcending the limitations of instruments, genres, or tonalities. Through this method, the misconception that "music is difficult" can be dissolved, enabling everyone to enjoy music more freely and authentically.
I firmly believe this method will bring fresh flexibility and innovation to the music scene, fostering creative ideas and new discoveries.
(April 2025)
Brief Personal History
1967
Jul.
On July 6th born in Tokyo. Got special education with guitars.
1976
At the age of 9, as duo (Kampei & Ritsuko)with his 3 year old younger sister, released record from 6 record companies such as Japan Colombia, Victor Entertainment, CBS Sony, King Record, Canyon Record and Polydor at the same time, that was a very special case. Performed on TV, etc.
1979
At the age of 12, won ‘judges special award’ as youngest in ‘Yamaha EastWest’ which was a very popular music contest in Japan where many famous musicians such as Southern All Stars and Toshinobu Kubota competed. Was also invited to the contest as a special guest.
1983
Proceeded to Tokyo College of Music High School. Studied under Ms.Reiko Arima and Mr.Akira Nishimura. Started development of the music notation and the keyboard instruments.
1986
Entered the Diploma course of composition department at Tokyo College of Music with the recommendation by Mr. Akira Ifukube.
1987
Released ‘Rapian’ as prototype. In October, won the grand prix at International Invention EXPO.
1990
Graduated from college and went to the united states. Started evangelizing Rapian in USA (Seattle, Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, Boston) under the supervision of Dr. Robert Moog, whom he had known. Gave lectures at Berklee College of Music that is very famous in Jazz.
1991
Came back to Japan. While developing Muto Music Method, as a producer, acted in the various fields like nurtured new artists, produced TV programs and movies, managed theaters and planned events.
2000
Released ‘Wholetone Revolution’
2004
Released Chromatone (CT-312).
2009
Feb.
started music label ‘Y2G Record’ as Executive Producer In June, published a book, ‘Throw Away 5 Line Notation Right Now !’
Jun.
published a book, ‘Throw Away 5 Line Notation Right Now !’
2010
released iPad application software ‘Chromatone lite for iPad’. This software ranked in top 10 sales chart in the 4 consecutive weeks.
2011
Oct.
released application software, ‘Chromatone for iPad’ with extending functions and content of ‘Chromatone life for iPad.’
2012
Jan
published ‘Hanon’ (method, scorebook) based on Chromatic Notation. This is the first music text book as Muto Method.
Mar.
released ‘Chromatone for Android,’ application software for Android tablet devices and smart phones. At the same time, published ‘BEYER’ (scorebook).
2013
Apr.
Expanded his activity base to New York.
Jun
Started sales of music collection of "HANON" ''BEYER'' ''BURGMULLER -the chromatic notation-: 25 Liechte Etüeden Op. 100'' ''CZERNY 100 -the chromatic notation-: 100 Progressive Studies Op. 139'' with American and European POD editions.
2014
Jul.
Opened music studio, "Chromatic Music Lab." in Shibuya.
2015
Mar.
Published "CZERNY 40" "CZERNY 50 (Books 1~3 and 4~6)" "BACH: Inventions" "BACH: Symphonias"
"BACH: Invention (No Articulation)" "BACH: Symphonias (No Articulation)" "BACH: The Well-Temperered Clavier - Book 1" in the Chromatic Notation.
2017
Published "BACH: The Well-Temperered Clavier - Book 2" "ERIK SATIE: 3 Gymnopédies/3 Gnossiennes" "SCOTT JOPLIN: PIANO RAGS" "F.SHOPIN: 12Etudes Op.10 (No Articulation)" "F.SHOPIN 12Etudes Op.25 (No Articulation)" "F.SHOPIN Preludes Op.28 (No Articulation)" "F.SHOPIN Impromptus (No Articulation)" "F.SHOPIN Ballades (No Articulation)" in the Chromatic Notation.
2018
Published "Sonatina Album Book1(No Articulation)" "F.SHOPIN Ballades(No Articulation)" "F.SHOPIN Scherzos(No Articulation)" "L.V.BEETHOVEN Houon Selections(No Articulation)"in the Chromatic Notation became available overseas as well.
Mar.
Opened gallery, "Chromatic Gallery" in Shibuya.
2019
Published "L.V.BEETHOVEN – Piano Sonatas ~Pathétique/Moonlight/Appassionata~(No Articulation)" "MOZART Houon Selections Book1(No Articulation)" "SONATINA ALBUM Book2(No Articulation)" "MOZART Houon Selections Book2(No Articulation)" "Schubert – Houon Selection(No Articulation)s" in the Chromatic Notation became available overseas as well.
2020
Published "R.Schumann – Kinderszenen (No Articulation)" "Schubert – Houon Selections(No Articulation)" "Debussy – Houon Selections(No Articulation)" in the Chromatic Notation became available overseas as well.
2021
Published "L.V.BEETHOVEN – Piano Sonatas ~Waldstein/à Thérèse/Les Adieux~ (No Articulation)" "F.CHOPIN Waltz(No Articulation)" "MENDELSSOHN Songs Without Words Book1(No Articulation)" "L.V.BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata Hammerklavier (No Articulation)" "L.V.BEETHOVEN – Piano Sonata ~Trauermarsch/Pastoral/Tempest~(No Articulation)"in the Chromatic Notation became available overseas as well.
2022
Published "MENDELSSOHN Songs Without Words Book2(No Articulation)" "MENDELSSOHN Songs Without Words Book3(No Articulation)" "Tchikovsky Seasons(No Articulation)" in the Chromatic Notation became available overseas as well.
2023
Published "F.SHOPIN Polonaisen(No Articulation)" "F.SHOPIN Rondos(No Articulation)" "MENDELSSOHN Songs Without Words Book4 Op.53(No Articulation)" in the Chromatic Notation became available overseas as well.
2024
Published "F.SHOPIN Mazurkas(No Articulation)" in the Chromatic Notation became available overseas as well.
June.
Moving from Tokyo, Harajuku to Sapporo, Hokkaido.
CONTACT
Chromatic Music Lab.
c/o Tokyo Yusyo inc.
Park Nova Jingumae 1F, 2-33-5, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
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