Just a video this week! Watch to see what my bachi bag looks like and where I'll be taking taiko class tomorrow :D
I'll be back with my impression of class next week and and the next Core Awareness Video.
Be copasetic,
Carrie
A place for useful tips, drills, and information about taiko.
Showing posts with label Shippu Uchi Daiko. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shippu Uchi Daiko. Show all posts
Friday, September 23, 2016
What's in My Bachi Bag?
Just a video this week! Watch to see what my bachi bag looks like and where I'll be taking taiko class tomorrow :D
I'll be back with my impression of class next week and and the next Core Awareness Video.
Be copasetic,
Carrie
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Taiko Drill Part 51, Paradiddles Revisited
Hi! My friends from Shippu Uchi Daiko in Japan have returned home, but we had a great time together in Seattle teaching a taiko piece called Yui to Seattle Kokon Taiko. I'm still teaching through the weekend, and then I'm back to the east coast.
One thing I've not really talked about much here is improvisation. Last week I gave you a drill to improvise emphasis with, and next week I'll talk specifically about some things to think about if you're uncomfortable improvising. But, partly due to my lack of time this week, today we'll revisit paradiddles in preparation for improvisation next week.
Focus: Grip, Form
Watch For:
1. Take a few moments to check your grip for small drums.
2. The down beat is not always the beat that's emphasized--keep track of it!
Okay, so back in drill 9 we talked about paradiddles, which is a basic straight beat that alternates sticking--RLRR LRLL. I suggested that you can use them to practice improvisation, but we didn't go into how to really do that.
If you're new to improvisation or don't quite feel comfortable with it, don't fret. It takes guts to just try it, knowing you'll mess up, but it's the only way to get better at it. Please review Drill 9 to refresh the version of paradiddles I taught. And we'll move forward step-by-step from next week to add improvisation.
For fun, here's an example of members from Shippu Uchi Daiko who were here from Japan improvising on top of paradiddles played by Seattle Kokon Taiko:
See you next week!
Monday, June 15, 2009
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...
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...
Monday, May 4, 2009
Want to Buy a Taiko?
Hi there! I mentioned in my last post that I've had quite a few taiko visitors lately. I'm sure that many of you have heard of TAIKOPROJECT's song, Omiyage. Perhaps even a few of you play it! Well, I thought I'd try to have a bit of a "cultural" exchange here in Wakayama. I invited Yuta Kato to teach Omiyage to my taiko group, Shippu Uchi Daiko, last week.
After the workshop, which went quite well, Yuta stayed with me and my husband for a couple of days. I know his father makes taiko, but wanted to get the scoop. Yuta highly recommends his dad's drums, so I decided to contact Mr. Kato directly and ask a few questions:
Q: What kinds of taiko does Kato Taiko make?
A: Kato Taiko makes naga-do (chu/o-daiko), hira-do, and oke-do. Upright, slant, and o-daiko stands are available. I also provide taiko repair/rennovation services and can engrave your drum for you.
Q: Do you sell taiko-making supplies, tacks, or kan?
A: Actually, I don't do this normally. Tacks or kan might be possible, but could take up to 2 months because I order these from Japan.
Q: How much do Kato Taiko drums cost?
A: Naga-do start at $750 (plus shipping, if required). Hira-do start at $725 (plus shipping, if required). You can find specific information about the prices and drums available on my website, www.katotaiko.com
Q: Will you be at NATC this year selling drums?
A: Yes! I'll be there.
Q: Can participants of NATC order drums and pick them up from you at the conference? If so, how far in advance is an order required?
A: Yes, this is possible. It's difficult to anticipate a deadline because this really depends on how many orders I have to fulfill. Certainly, earlier is better and probably by mid-June at the latest. Please have anyone interested contact me directly through my website.
------
I recommend you browse Mr. Kato's website for information if you're considering buying taiko. It's fun to read about how he got started in the business and you can also read about how his taiko were involved in the movie, Memoirs of a Geisha.
Enjoy!
After the workshop, which went quite well, Yuta stayed with me and my husband for a couple of days. I know his father makes taiko, but wanted to get the scoop. Yuta highly recommends his dad's drums, so I decided to contact Mr. Kato directly and ask a few questions:
Q: What kinds of taiko does Kato Taiko make?
A: Kato Taiko makes naga-do (chu/o-daiko), hira-do, and oke-do. Upright, slant, and o-daiko stands are available. I also provide taiko repair/rennovation services and can engrave your drum for you.
Q: Do you sell taiko-making supplies, tacks, or kan?
A: Actually, I don't do this normally. Tacks or kan might be possible, but could take up to 2 months because I order these from Japan.
Q: How much do Kato Taiko drums cost?
A: Naga-do start at $750 (plus shipping, if required). Hira-do start at $725 (plus shipping, if required). You can find specific information about the prices and drums available on my website, www.katotaiko.com
Q: Will you be at NATC this year selling drums?
A: Yes! I'll be there.
Q: Can participants of NATC order drums and pick them up from you at the conference? If so, how far in advance is an order required?
A: Yes, this is possible. It's difficult to anticipate a deadline because this really depends on how many orders I have to fulfill. Certainly, earlier is better and probably by mid-June at the latest. Please have anyone interested contact me directly through my website.
------
I recommend you browse Mr. Kato's website for information if you're considering buying taiko. It's fun to read about how he got started in the business and you can also read about how his taiko were involved in the movie, Memoirs of a Geisha.
Enjoy!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Uchi Komi 打ち込み
Yesterday, Shippu Uchi Daiko had a combined practice with Iki Daiko from Kyoto who I mentioned here. In November, we went up to Kyoto and this time they came down to Wakayama.
No time is wasted during our usual Sunday practices which run for 7 hours (9-5 minus 1 hour for lunch) and I appreciate the focus because my time here is limited and I have many years of things yet to learn. Yesterday was a break from the routine but, there's nothing else like the sense of community created by uchi komi in a room with 25 taiko players!
The word uchi means "hit". The basic meaning of komi is "inclusive of" but it can be used in a few different ways. So, the way I like to think of the phrase uchi komi is to hit the drum in a way that involves your whole being and focus to the point that the rhythms fill your body and you, in a sense, become the act of playing wa-daiko.
We usually spend some of Sunday's practice doing uchi komi but with only 4-7 people. Sensei was nice enough to allow breaks and rotations yesterday. So, in our small practice space, we set up stations where people cycled through playing "do ko do ko" as loudly as possible for a total of 40 minutes. It's a bit complicated to explain as there is some overlapping, but if you had a group of 4, you would play 3-8 counts and rest for 6-8 counts and repeat. Call me weird, but this is part of the reason why I love taiko:
A room full of people sweating, yelling, encouraging, focusing, grimacing, supporting, feeling, absorbed, aching... All playing the same beat with our bodies, all feeling the same assortment of emotions at perhaps different times, all the same amongst our differences. Community.
No time is wasted during our usual Sunday practices which run for 7 hours (9-5 minus 1 hour for lunch) and I appreciate the focus because my time here is limited and I have many years of things yet to learn. Yesterday was a break from the routine but, there's nothing else like the sense of community created by uchi komi in a room with 25 taiko players!
The word uchi means "hit". The basic meaning of komi is "inclusive of" but it can be used in a few different ways. So, the way I like to think of the phrase uchi komi is to hit the drum in a way that involves your whole being and focus to the point that the rhythms fill your body and you, in a sense, become the act of playing wa-daiko.
We usually spend some of Sunday's practice doing uchi komi but with only 4-7 people. Sensei was nice enough to allow breaks and rotations yesterday. So, in our small practice space, we set up stations where people cycled through playing "do ko do ko" as loudly as possible for a total of 40 minutes. It's a bit complicated to explain as there is some overlapping, but if you had a group of 4, you would play 3-8 counts and rest for 6-8 counts and repeat. Call me weird, but this is part of the reason why I love taiko:
A room full of people sweating, yelling, encouraging, focusing, grimacing, supporting, feeling, absorbed, aching... All playing the same beat with our bodies, all feeling the same assortment of emotions at perhaps different times, all the same amongst our differences. Community.
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