Higher Achievement Program

I love sharing taiko. In particular, I love sharing taiko with kids who most likely otherwise would have little or no connection to Japanese culture. All it takes is one experience to get a child interested in thinking about other parts of the world, which can bring about an open mind and an awareness of the endless possibilities for their future.

I had the privilege the last few months of working with the dedicated scholars at the Higher Achievement Program, a non-profit located in Washington DC dedicated to developing "academic skills, behaviors, and attitudes in academically motivated and under-served middle school children." On November 4, 2009 First Lady Michelle Obama presented Higher Achievement with the Coming Up Taller Award, the nation’s highest honor for out-of-school time organizations providing humanities and arts programming to children with great potential but limited outlets for creative expression.

While most of the program is academic-focused, I was one of two elective teachers at Ward 6 brought in to work with the scholars 3 times a week. While it was just a short time we had together, it was so amazing to watch their thirst for information on taiko, Japan, and Japanese just grow and grow. My students took our time together seriously (as you can see on their faces in the video :) ), and strove to do well. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity with them and so very proud of their performance.

The show started with a skit (written by Victoria Der), but you can't really hear that part clearly. I suggest you begin the video at about 1:54 and Matsuri will start soon after.

Taikoforum.com is Coming Soon!

Check out all the info below! I'll keep you updated through ATT, but if you want to receive emails directly, please send me a note!

Dear Taiko Family:

At NATC 2009 there was an overwhelming demand for a way to keep in touch and stay connected during the time in between Conferences. We heard you and decided to do something about it. Since October 2009, a small group of us has been working to create and shape Taikoforum.com! Please help spread the word by sharing this email with all of the members of your taiko group.

Taikoforum.com is a hub for all things related to taiko. A storehouse for information and a center for discussion, it is a gathering place for players across the globe.

We’re in the final stages of organizing a sustainable online space for taiko players that will include a community forum area where you can ask all your questions and engage in meaningful discussion, history and information pages that can be expanded and updated by you and other members of the forum, an interactive map showing the location of taiko groups and their contact information (plus a way to update your current information), and much more!

Once we launch, there will be opportunity to give feedback and make suggestions so you can help make Taikoforum.com the best possible space for its users. In the meantime, consider getting involved by volunteering your time as a discussion moderator, someone who brings a topic of his/her choice to the forum and guides the conversation. If you are interested in being a moderator, we need volunteers of all kinds and experience levels! You can choose to moderate for a week or a month, whatever works best for you and your schedule. Please email carrie@taikoforum.com if you're interested or know someone who is.

In a week or two, you'll receive another email with our exact launch date and an announcement of Taikoforum.com's first moderator!

Questions? Please feel free to email any of us. We appreciate your patience as we respond--we're pretty busy working to bring Taikoforum.com to you as quickly as possible.

Thank you and we'll see you soon online!

The Taikoforum Team

Carrie Carter
Ben Pachter

Matt Tom-Wolverton
Adam Weiner
Lis Testa

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!

Taiko Classes in Washington, DC

Are you in the Washington, DC area and interested in learning how to play taiko? Starting February 2010, you can do just that!

I will be teaching a beginner's class at the Capitol Hill Arts Worskhop:

Beginning Taiko (course #: S1AW5) :
The Art of Ancient Japanese Drumming
Wednesdays 6:45-8:45 pm
8 weeks, 2/10-4/1

2 blocks from Eastern Market Metro stop!

Registration begins November 30! Call 202-547-6839 for more information and to register. You can access the full course catalogue for the Adult Spring Classes here.

I hope to see you there!