Great Lakes Taiko Center

Had a nice time, as always, practicing with Raion Taiko in Michigan yesterday. For years I've been in the habit of checking online to see if there were any developments in the Michigan (my home state) taiko scene. I fell upon the Raion Taiko (Great Lakes Taiko Center) blog while I was living in Wakayama-ken, Japan. Brian and Mayumi have brought back their experience training with Asano Taiko in Kanazawa to the Detroit area and my habit has now become that of stopping by for a visit now and then.

Back in November I was able to join one of their practices, and again yesterday. Check out their website to learn about the exciting things they have going on!

NATC video

Well, I seem to have underestimated my schedule for the last couple of weeks. So sorry I failed to post a drill last Friday!

To make it up, here's the recap video from this year's NATC, just posted to YouTube last week! Are you in it??



I'll be back with you January 8, 2010! Happy Holidays

Taiko Drill Part 60, 2 Against 3 Pre-Lesson

Hi! I had dreams of new taiko arriving in the mail last night:) The holidays are coming a bit early for me--my 2 new nagado are going to arrive next week! I ordered from friend, Yuta Kato's, father who makes taiko in California. My drums are going straight to Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW), their temporary home for the rest of my time in Washington DC. Visit the CHAW website for information on my spring classes where you'll get to hit my new drums!

Okay, focusing up. (Did I mention I'm excited?!)

Focus: Timing, Counting
Watch For:
1. If you feel like you're consistently starting the phrase on the downbeat, then start to listen to the space in between your hits. Is the space equal? Try to understand your tendencies (left hand too late or too early?) and make adjustments.
2. Your metronome is your best friend.

Last week's drill focused on 2s and 3s, either alternating or using one bachi at a time. Today's drill gives you an idea for how to practice the same pattern while incorporating roll practice, alternating your start hand.

Line 1: RLRLRLRL (doubles) RLRLRLRLRLRL (triples) (2X)

Line 2: RLRLRL (doubles) RLRLRLRLR (triples)
LRLRLR (doubles) LRLRLRLRL (triples) (2X)

Line 3: RL (double) RLR (triple) LR (double) LRL (triple) (4X)

Here's the vid. Have fun!



Extension:
Let's try this together. Try playing the whole pattern backwards (Line 3 4X, Line 2 2X, Line 1 2X). Got that? Okay, now re-play the video above and try to play this backwards pattern on top of the original! Enjoy!

Gambarimasu yo!

Taiko Drill Part 59, Single Double Triple

Hey there! After a frustrating time this afternoon negotiating with various electronics and technologies, I'm gonna skip the chitchat and jump right into today's drill.

After the last drill, I realized it'd been a while since I've practiced multiple strokes on one hand--something I used to do nearly daily last year. So, while I probably should have done the practicing and THEN recorded myself.... I'm just giving you me as I am in today's video.

Focus: Timing, Control
Watch For:
1. Keep track of the downbeat (it's on your metronome:). That way, if your timing gets off a bit, like mine, you can find your way again.
2. When playing Line 1, try to hear Line 2 in your head in preparation. Then, hear Line 3 while you play Line 2, etc.

Line 1: Play on the down beat for 8 beats
Line 2: Play Line 1 double time
Line 3: Play as triples
Line 4: Play as quads

You may get easily frustrated with this drill if it's not something you've done much of. It's perfectly fine to practice by looping just the first 2 lines until you're ready to add the next one, and feel free to fool around with what setting you use on your metronome.

Let's explore briefly the reason to aim for multiple strokes. Obviously, its not practical for a song or performance. But, the gratification I get from practicing this drill (say about 15 minutes every day for a week) includes:

• stronger hand/forearm muscles
• improved stick control
• a higher sense of timing awareness
• a better understanding of timing
• increased speed

So, try it out! I've given 2 versions in the video, one for beginner level players who are looking for a way to practice timing, and then the multiple stroke version. For each version I play Line 1, 2, 3, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Please forgive my bad timing... Gambarimasu!