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!
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.
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!
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!
Do you live in the Wakayama or Osaka area? Looking for something to do this year during Golden Week?
My teacher, Ryo Shimamoto, is holding a series of workshops in Kainan (海南) during the holiday week. I highly recommend them and I'll be taking a few of them myself!
You are welcome to sign up for one or all of the Yaiba workshops. It is a fun and challenging song.
The workshops take place in Kainan, near Shimotsu Station (下津駅). Each 3 hour workshop is a mere 3,500 yen and classes are limited to 8 people, reservation required.
Please email 島本 龍 (Ryo Shimamoto) to reserve your place! You can email in English if you need to, but note that all workshops will be taught in Japanese.
I just returned from 2 days in the mountains outside the city of Kyoto. My teacher, Ryo Shimamoto, was invited to teach a class for a group there called Iki Daiko. So, the whole Shippu Uchi Daiko group went up and we had a joint practice. Iki Daiko is a newer group, started just a couple of years ago. It was fun to meet some other players in Japan, and I look forward to when they come down to Wakayama for another joint practice in the spring time.
I didn't have my camera during the practice, but here are a few from the party afterwards, including all of their family members. Enjoy the enkai photos!
Ryo Sensei hiding behind Itsuka.
Haruka, one of Shippu's main players.
Ishibashi-san and me.
Nana and Haruka--they're sisters.
Haruka and Tayeko-san.
Nabe--yummy!
Masako-san, Ishibashi-san, and Hayashi-san
We stayed at the YMCA in the cabin to the right.
Shippu is Happiness!
A quick view of Japanese hot pot.
The inevitable enkai singing... except my camera had no sound. Use your imagination!
