LP Record Day

What Is LP Record Day?

Every March 20th is "LP Record Day" in Japan. On March 20, 1951, Nippon Columbia released Japan's first LP record under the name "long-playing record." Earlier SP records could hold only about three to five minutes per side, but the LP (Long Play) made it possible to play more than 20 minutes per side without interruption. This helped spread the culture of listening to symphonies without breaks and enjoying "albums" that bring many songs together.

A History of Recording Technology

The LP was made possible by "microgroove" technology, which cuts very fine grooves into the disc.

• The world's first LP: Columbia Records in the United States was the first to mass-produce and market the LP record, releasing it in 1948. Japan's first LP came about three years later.
• A change in speed: SP records turned at 78 revolutions per minute, while LPs turn at 33 1/3. Slower rotation and finer grooves made it possible to fit much more sound on one disc.
• A change in material: Records moved from brittle shellac to durable, lightweight polyvinyl chloride. That is why records are called "vinyl" in English.

How a Record Makes Sound

A record is an analog format that carves sound vibrations into the shape of a groove.

• The groove: Record grooves are V-shaped, and on stereo records a different signal is cut into each wall. The tiny vibrations produced as the needle traces the groove are converted into an electrical signal and amplified.
• Sizes and playing time: A standard LP is 30 cm (12 inches) in diameter, and 25 cm (10-inch) discs also exist. A standard 12-inch disc holds roughly 20 to 30 minutes per side.

Fun Facts About LP Records

• "Jacket buying": The large 30 cm square sleeves are enjoyed as artwork, and Japanese even has a word, "jake-gai," for buying a record just for its cover design.
• A separate "Record Day": November 3rd is "Record Day," set by the Recording Industry Association of Japan to coincide with Culture Day, based on the idea that records are cultural assets.
• A comeback: Since the 2010s, sales of vinyl records have grown worldwide, and more young fans are joining in.
• Lacquer masters: The original disc used for production is called a "lacquer," from which metal stampers are made for mass production.

Tips for Enjoying LP Record Day

• Visit a record shop and look through the sleeves to find a favorite
• Listen to a favorite album straight through without skipping, enjoying the flow from side A to side B
• Clean the records you own and check their condition
• Ask your parents or grandparents about the first record they ever bought

The Invention That Let Music Play Longer

By fitting more music on a single disc, the LP created the album as a way of listening. Precisely because streaming makes music so easy today, March 20th is a good day to drop the needle and take time to listen to one record from start to finish.