Taiko Challenge, Part 3

Hey there! If you're not sure what's going on, go back and check the first post here.

The pattern for this week is exactly the same as last week, but with different sticking:

doko doko X8 (RRLL)

su ko doko X8 (su LRL)

Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q47KiTsexGo

No extension this week--but if you've got your own, post it in the comments and let others have a try! (sorry--gotta be efficient this week)

See ya in 7 days!

Taiko Drill Part 42, TAIKO SET PATTERN 2

Thanks for coming back! I'm posting today's drill from Canada.

Let's move forward with Pattern 2 for taiko set.

Focus: Form, Dexterity
Watch For:
1. Pay attention to dynamics--this is what can make a simple pattern into an interesting rhythm.
2. Probably, I don't need to say it again, but just in case:) Move from your core, not your arms!

Okay, here's a review of last week's basic rhythm:

don tsu ku do ko do ko don tsu ku do ko do ko
don tsu ku don tsu ku don tsu ku do ko do ko

Red means Right, Black means Left, bold is emphasized.

Last week, we played just the "don" on the right, high-pitched drum. This week, we'll do the same thing, but also play all of the "do ko do ko" on the right drum as well. So, essentially, only "tsu ku" should be played on the left drum.

Here's a tip in terms of making your movements fluid. At the beginning of Line 2, we play "don tsu ku" 3 times. For each "don tsu ku" only the Right hand needs to switch drums. Let your left bachi hang out at the left drum, just to the left of center of the skin. The left bachi is always moving, up and slightly faster down, just like when you play "don tsu ku" on a single drum.

If your right drum is a shime and your left drum an oke daiko, keep in mind that "tsu ku" may sound quieter on the oke daiko than the shime. You may need to play louder than you think on the left drum in order to keep a good balance. Feel free to experiment with this.

If you loop this pattern with last week's Pattern 1, here's what should happen:

Pattern 1 has the normal don tsu ku dynamics, "do ko do ko" is even in volume, not particularly emphasized.

Pattern 2 has the normal don tsu ku dynamics, "do ko do ko" is even in volume, and emphasized.

Loop these patterns daily 15-20 minutes and don't be afraid of your metronome! Back with a video demo and the last line for this drill next week.

Extension:

Try out some improvised accents when playing "do ko do ko" for Pattern 1. This is something that should be on the spot without planning, but here are some examples ("tsu" or "ku" means non-emphasized):

• tsu ko tsu ko
• do don tsu ku
• tsu ko don tsu
• tsu ku tsu ko

Loop this with Pattern 2 as described above.

Kris' 30 Days to Better Shime, in print!

Kris Bergstrom's (On Ensemble) free online program, 30 Days to Better Shime, is available in print form. You can download the PDF here. All audio tracks are available for free download as well.

Or for $30 you get:

• 30 daily exercises for shime daiko
• a bubble calendar (pop a bubble after each day completed!)
• CD with audio tracks, including metronome tracks for practice
• Twice weekly email check-ins from Kris himself for 30 days of your choice

This program has great explanations and support. Kris doesn't just tell you how to do things, he asks you to create and challenge yourself as well. For example, he'll introduce a Rhythm Maker (p. 49) as a way to create a series of rhythms randomly. He also offers regular assessment tools throughout the program--you'll really notice your improvements!

Kris Bergstrom is a great taiko player, but also a very helpful person who wants to share and answer questions. If you download the program, please consider making a donation for all he did to put this together.

Note: This is not a beginning-level program. You should have at least some taiko experience.

Check out the OnEnsemble blog pages. They're a fun read and often updated:

Kris Shoji Maz Kelvin

30 Days to Better Shime will be available for purchase at NATC.

Taiko Drills, Part 34 SHIME ROLLS (form)

Welcome back!

Well, Golden Week is over and done with and I'm back on my regular practice schedule. I realize that I've been focusing significantly on shime daiko skills, and all the videos I've posted have been for shime. And, to be honest, I have no better reason other than I love playing shime and I find it challenging. So, as always, if you have requests, let me know. If not, then I suppose you just have to keep putting up with my shime obsession!

How's this: I'll do a taiko set drill next week OR katsugi okedo, BUT only if you tell me! Leave a comment and tell me which you're interested in. Whichever drum gets the most comments, I'll do a few drills starting next week. Don't worry, I'll start from the basics.

Today's drill is very simple and a cool trick to keep you from clicking sticks together and keeping your sound consistent when trying to play quickly. If you're new, be sure to practice the shime daiko grip here first. If you're not new, it doesn't hurt to review.

Check it out!

Focus: Form, Balance
Watch for:
1. Move your hand in a straight motion up off the drum and down again to make contact.
2. If your sound is inconsistent, either from hand to hand or from hit to hit, be sure the height your stick comes off the drum is consistent and the striking speed and grip are the same. If you've already done all that and they still sound different, this drill might be the key for you.

Okay, so there's no fancy rhythm or anything for this drill. We'll just repeat "do ko do ko" at a speed that's comfortable for you. You'll notice in the video that I play 4 "do ko"s at the edge of my drum, quietly, and 4 louder "do ko"s at the center of the drum, and repeat.

One reason for hitting close together at the center is to force your sticks to go straight up and down. If your sticks click against each other, slow it down a bit and really focus on your hands making a straight path. For me, if I think about the sticks making a straight path, my efforts become forced and I'm no longer relaxed enough to be successful. So, start with the hands and once you've got that, refine any small waverings of the sticks.

The second reason for the 2 different kinds of rolls in this drill is to help you notice if small rolls or louder rolls are more difficult for you. (then you can practice that kind more!) Be sure that all of the quiet rolls are the same volume and pay particular attention to the ones just before or just after the louder rolls.

Grab your metronome and get started!



PS: Sorry the camera's a bit lopsided. I'll spare you the details of my makeshift table...
(Do I wear those pants every Friday??)


Extension:

Change up rolls! The pattern stays the same, but you can try something like:

RRLLRRLL
RRRLLLRR
LLRRLLRR
LLLRRRLL

If someone were to listen to you play the basic drill above and this version here with their eyes closed, they should not be able to hear the difference!

Gambatte!

Remember to vote in the comments for next week's focus:

KATSUGI?? or TAIKO SET??