Taiko Drill Part 39, POSTURE TAIKO SET

Happy Friday!

So, katsugi was a bit of a fail, I guess. It seems not many people are interested in reading posts about it, perhaps because you don't have your own drum or maybe because it's less common. Either way, for those of you who were into the katsugi, check out the extension for a new rhythm to practice. If you want more, email me!

But, for now, I'm moving on. Next stop, taiko set!

Note: You don't have to use the same kinds of drums I'm using. Any upright taiko is okay if they're approximately the same height.

I am, for the time being, without a practice space. I do have some old videos stored that will work for later on in the coming weeks until I have a practice space, but for today we'll have to go back to the old-fashioned non-video teaching method.

Focus: Form
Watch For:
1. Take care if you have any knee issues. Knees are extremely important to keep flexible and basic stretches typically do not consider this. Please email me if you need stretching ideas.
2. Activate your core; this helps keep everything in line.

To begin with taiko set, let's take a look at incorrect posture:

This is WRONG.



Activate your core muscles and tuck the tail bone to bring yourself into natural alignment, protect your back and encourage stability, like this:



If your drums are the same size, your body's center will line up with the place where the drums meet (but don't touch). If one drum is significantly larger than the other, find your standing place by reaching your arms out so the bachi point to the center of each drum and your form is balanced. Adjust your feet, as needed. Arms stay lifted, as always.

To get used to hearing two different tones when playing, today's drill is to play the paradiddles taught here, on two drums. Keep your right hand at the right drum and the left hand at the left drum, nothing fancy yet, let's do this right.

Until next week--Ganbatte!

Extension:

You can hear the extension (katsugi) pattern here. Sorry... my tempo gets a bit slower as I go on--don't do that!

don tsu ku (8X) do kon ko (8X) One time
don tsu ku (4X) do kon ko (4X) Two times
don tsu ku (2X) do kon ko (2X) Four times
don tsu ku (1X) do kon ko (1X) Eight times
do ko do ko (X16)

Taikooooo Channel!

Okay, so it's more like Taikooooo Cha-ne-ru!

I came across this cute little webseries called Taiko Channel. Every week they post a new 15 minute video about taiko in Japan. Most (maybe all) videos have a taiko lesson built right in.

If you're looking for serious taiko instruction, this isn't the place to go. If you want a new rhythm or song to practice, or want to learn about some taiko groups in Japan, then check it out. It's in Japanese, but I think for the "lesson" part you'll do fine without language skills:

Taiko Channel

This week's lesson is on Miyake style drumming.

Taiko Drill Part 38, LATERAL KATSUGI DON TSU KU

Hi there! Thanks for coming back.

Just a quick note that I hope to continue posting as my living situation is in a bit of a limbo, but thanks for your understanding in advance if I have to skip a week or post late. I know I need to get these drills organized in a way that you can find the ones you like, but it'll have to wait a couple months--sorry!

Alright, we've got a couple weeks left of basic katsugi information, and then it's on to taiko set basics, as requested by Joy. I really like practicing taiko set, so I'm excited for that. As always, I take requests, so drop me a comment!

Focus: Balance, Form
Watch For:
1. Make sure the higher pitch of your drum is at the front when you play. When you switch to lateral form, this becomes the right side. (NOTE: in the videos, my drum is unfortunately the wrong direction)
2. If you have a mirror, it's really helpful when first starting to play katsugi. Because our weight is centered, but feet uneven, it's common to think shoulders and body are leveled when they're not. Check this.

Okay, we'll start with the pattern today. It's one you've heard before, but I hope you never get sick of: don tsu ku.

When we practiced don tsu ku for shime daiko the pattern was:

RRL or LLR

When you play don tsu ku on lateral kastugi, alternate hands like this:

RLR LRL RLR LRL

In addition, every left hand hit will alterate sides of the drum. I love how this pattern sounds on the drum because there's a tonal pattern, too. One of my favorite things to do on a Friday afternoon is play don tsu ku on lateral katsugi until I hit a sort of mental peace, and playing the pattern becomes part of my being at that moment.

Anyway, here's an example:



Listen to your tone. If you don't hear a repeated pattern, then perhaps you're not hitting the center of the drum. Take a moment, slow it down until your form and tone are consistent.

Extension:

Try playing 8 don tsu ku while walking with your drum (RRL RRL x4), then stop walking, switch your stance to lateral and play 8 don tsu ku (RLR LRL x4).

It takes some practice to get the timing right and to keep the drum from bouncing around. You'll notice that you need to initiate the change in stance while simultaneously finishing up the final don tsu ku.

Questions? Email me or comment!

FREE CONCERT (I'm leaving Japan)

Okay, so to be honest, I don't expect anyone out there will be anywhere near Susami next Sunday, but just in case...

The news is out. I'm leaving Japan. It's a sad time for me, but it's also a time to think about the future and how taiko can or might be a part of that. In the midst of all of the departure preparations, it's only appropriate to have a going away taiko concert. It's free and it's next weekend!

What: Susami Taiko Concert　　　
Where: Wakayama, Susami Kominkan
When: Sunday, June 21, 1:30pm　　
Performances by: Susami Taiko, Shippu Uchi Daiko, Ryo Shimamoto, Kotaro

Cost: FREE

If you're thinking of coming, but need more information on directions please just email me!

And why did they put the foreigner in charge of making the poster...

Taiko Drill Part 37, LATERAL KATSUGI

Focus: Balance, Form
Watch For:
1. Make sure the higher pitch of your drum is at the front when you play. When you switch to horizontal form, this becomes the right side. (NOTE: in the videos, my drum is unfortunately the wrong direction)
2. When playing for a while in this position, be sure to ground yourself, but relax, keeping your weight centered even though the left foot is slightly forward as mentioned last week.

When you play with the drum sideways, there is a slight alteration in the grip. The one I use is like this:





If you're new to katsugi, take a moment to practice switching between the two stances as in last week's drill and simultaneously switch between the two grips. The original grip was explained here.

Now, check out the video for an example of form when playing the basic pattern, do ko do ko:




When striking with the right hand, it hits consistently at the center of the drum.

Notice that the angle of the left wrist changes from an outward position when hitting the left, to inward when hitting the right. When the left hand hits on the right side, it should strike just forward of the tip of the right bachi. When the left hand strikes on the left side, the hand stays closer to the front of the drum than the middle and the bachi aims back toward the center of the drum. Accomplishing this will make it easier to reach high speeds.

Now, just how do you get your bachi to hit the center of the drum when you can't see it?? It's simple, really--use your ears! Through practicing regularly, you'll soon be able to hear when you get the full, solid sound from striking the middle and your body will memorize how to get you there consistently. So--gambarimasu!

Time to practice! Use your metronome, 15 minutes a day. Increase the speed just slightly each time, but never to the point that you can't play it comfortably. Until next time...

do ko do ko!



Extension
So, you feel comfortable with all that and you want to get faster? First, remember to relax. This is important. It's also important to make sure your arm is moving in an arch forward, away from your body and close to the drum, rather than up and over. This reduces the distance traveled from side to side.

Taiko Drill Part 36, CHANGING KATSUGI STANCE

Before you read this post, check out the Prelude with Ryo Shimamoto here.

And, here I am bringing you a drill that I have trouble with myself--again! You may know that the two most common ways to play katsugi are on a diagonal angle and then horizontally, with the drum across both legs.


Focus: Balance, Form
Watch For:
1. Don't strike the drum or think about striking the drum. Be aware of your stick placement, your grip and where your body weight lies.
2. Even though it may seem boring to practice, it's important to be able to move between these positions without the drum swinging out of control. Repeat this drill until you have control over the drum.

Let's practice switching the drum between these two positions before we aim to strike simultaneously. Starting in the basic position taught last week, the drum stays anchored on the left thigh. From there, move the left leg forward and wide so that the drum's center is lined up with your body's center.

Because the place where the drum is anchored on your thigh just to the left of the center of the drum, you must compensate for this by placing the left foot on the floor, slightly in front of the right leg. So, while the drum is directly horizontal across your body, your left leg is front and the right leg is back. Keep that right leg planted in the ground.

Last week I talked about having most of your weight forward when playing in a slant form. You'll notice in the video here that my weight doesn't seem to be shifting out of my right leg. When you're playing both styles back and forth, this keeps the drum from moving around. If you're settling in to play in the horizontal style for a while, then let your weight center and ground yourself.




Notice that the right hand moves with the drum, keeping the stick's point at the center of the drum head. The left hand switches to the left side, aiming to keep the point at the center of that drum head. We'll explore further next week how to get that stick to the center and how the grip of the left hand should adjust.

Gambarimasu!

Taiko Drill Part 36, Prelude with Ryo Shimamoto

Hi there!

I was quite a bit frustrated last week that I posted videos with terrible form. Hopefully you understand that I'm on a learning journey. Maybe I'm in a little over my head with these katsugi videos, but I'll keep trying my best!

Last week my teacher mentioned to me that he's been checking the blog out periodically. I thought it might be helpful for you to see his form and he agreed to make an appearance. So, for today's special treat, I introduce my teacher, Ryo Shimamoto to you:



So, I've a long way to go as you can see. That left hand is what I'm practicing this afternoon!

Please click here for today's drill!

A little background on Ryo Shimamoto:

嶋本龍　和太鼓講師・和太鼓奏者。和太鼓指導のほか作曲も手がけている。1976年生まれ.11歳から和太鼓を始める。疾風打太鼓のリーダーを15年経験、2008年ソロ活動開始。近藤克次氏（元 鼓童、鬼太鼓座）に師事。レッスンでは、自力整体をとり入れた入念なストレッチを行い、和太鼓に向かう時は 力まかせではなく、身体のバランスとしなりを活かした打ち方を指導している。

Ryo Shimamoto of Wakayama Prefecture, Japan is a Japanese drum instructor, performer, and composer. Born in 1976, he began playing taiko at the age of 11. His solo career began in 2008, after 15 years as the leader of Shippu Uchi Daiko. Shimamoto currently studies under Katsuji Kondo (formerly of Ondekoza and KODO).

From Carrie: He's an amazing resource for stretches and drills that will help to balance your form and ability. Most of what I write about here, I know because of him and I'm very thankful to him for that. If you're ever looking for a great teacher with the intuition to show you "how" and answer all your "whys", I highly recommend him!

Taiko Teaching Materials

Have you been searching for new information to make you a better taiko teacher/player? Information in English is not in abundance, but here's something that's worth checking into.

Earlier this year, Jonathan Kirby artistic director of Kagemusha in the UK, published a series of 4 instructional DVDs plus an instruction manual. I've yet to get my hands on them as of yet, but here's a posting from the UK taiko forum through the Mugen Taiko Dojo website.

from IanB:

"Since we often get posts here from people looking for training or teaching materials, I thought I should share this. I have just taken delivery of the new teacher training materials released by Kagemusha a few days ago. If anyone is running a group, thinking about it or even wants to add to their knowledge or is training on their own, I can’t recommend these highly enough.

Jonathan Kirby has put together a 220 (!) page manual (Teaching Taiko: Principles and Practice) which contains years of material covering everything…drills, base rhythms, teaching tips, pieces to play, problems, philosophy, stance, movement, composition, performance , … etc etc. There’s nothing like it anywhere else – (and I’ve been looking for a long time!) - it has got to be the definitive guide for teaching and learning Taiko. There are also 4 dvd’s that go with the manual to make it a complete set if you want to get the lot……..which I did!

For the price of a workshop it looks like you get months and months of material to work on personally and to use with your own group. There are more details on the Kagemusha website."

Here's the direct link to the page with the manual and DVD information. You can purchase the manual, Teaching Taiko: Principles and Practice, and all 3 DVDs for £95.00+ shipping.

Teaching Taiko: Principles and Practice itself is £35.00 and DVDs are £20.00 + shipping.

Do you already own Jonathan Kirby's publications? Drop a note in the comments with your opinion!

Taiko Center at NATC -- Free shipping!

Need new happi or other costumes for your group? Those tabi soles worn out? Did you split your favorite pair of bachi and are searching for a replacement? Need mute pads to keep your sound to a minimum? Bachi bags? Taiko bags? Fue? Chappa? Learn taiko DVDs? Taiko?

Taiko Center will be at NATC 2009. I just received an email from them saying that if you place an order by the end of June, shipping is FREE and you can pick up your goodies at the marketplace at the conference.

So, browse the Taiko Center Website to see if they have what you need.

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FYI
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