Taiko Challenge, Part 6

Hi!

Here's the review run-down if you're just joining:

The Concept

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

So, the rhythm this week is simple--exactly the same as last week. Only difference is when you play 2, play double rolls, and when you play in triples play triple rolls.

See the video where I give it a shot here.

No Extension this week! 15 minutes every day... go! Gambarimasu!

Taiko Challenge, Part 5

Week 5 already! For those just joining, check these out first:

The Concept

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Here we go! This week, start with the ju-roku roll (16 rolls) and the follow with triplets for the same length.

Line 1

doko X16 (RL)

Line 2

dokodo kodoko X8 (RLR LRL--triplets)

15-minutes a day!

Video!

Extension:

Try layering this pattern with a friend and love those polyrhythms! Don't have a taiko buddy to practice with at home? Post a comment, email or facebook me with the tempo you're working with--I'd be more than happy to record a 15-minute video of this pattern so you can still do the extension! Really, I would :)

I will post a link here within 24 hours with a video for the extension--gotta find my own buddy first. Promise!

Taiko Challenge, Part 4

Well, I've survived the typhoon, but the weather's still kinda grim here in Hong Kong. Playing taiko somehow seems to always brighten things up :)

If you're just tuning in to this series, make sure to start at the beginning:

The Concept

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

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

Line 1

doko X16 (RRRLLLRRRLLLRRRLLLRRRLLLRRRLL)

Line 2

su ko doko X8 (su LRL)

Alternate the 2 lines, 15 minutes per day! Take things super slow if triple rolls are difficult for you. Going too fast too soon means you won't reap the full benefits of this drill--it's most important to just keep things steady with your metronome. If you're having trouble or need advice, put your questions in the comments--it's only gonna get more complicated from here!

A video example of this week's pattern in 3 speeds.

Extension:

The easy way to do the roll for this week is to count RRRLLL 5 times and then do a double stroke on the right hand before beginning Line 2. But, the pattern is in 8, so try to count it that way. Shortly, I'll post a video example of that here.

Gambarimasu! See you in 7 days :)

Korean Taiko

A couple months back I was at the Shanghai World Expo 2010. On my last day there, my friend and I were wandering around trying to find a pavilion line that was short enough for the time we had left. It was then that we stumbled upon the Korean Pavilion.

The Pavilion for Korea was quite large and the line was winding around the building, but it wasn't the 6-hour wait that Japan's was, so we jumped in. After waiting 20 minutes in line, they let us in to what (surprise to us!) was NOT the Korean pavilion, but a Korean drum performance! Very impressive--check it out below.

After the videos, leave a comment: Can we call this taiko? Why or why not?

Visit my Youtube page to see the 2 dance pieces before the drumming started.

Happy Feet, Part 2

If you missed out on Happy Feet, Part 1 I recommend you backtrack and check it out first. Once you've completed those stretches, we can go a bit deeper into the foot muscles. If anything here seems to hurt, please stop. Go back to doing Part 1 every day for 3-5 days and then come back to try this one again.

Ever needed to squat down during a taiko song and found that your feet couldn't handle it? Or that you could only last a few seconds before they started aching? Try this stretch out:

1. Sit on your knees, with toes curled under so that there is space between your ankles and the floor.
2. Place your hands on the floor in front of you, as far forward as you can go without lifting your butt off your knees.
3. Lift the knees slightly off the ground, supporting your body with a tight core and, keeping them at a level height, take them from side-to-side.

4. To deepen the above stretch, sit up and shift your weight gently from the hips, side to side. Again, remember to hold the core tight in order to keep movements stable and balanced, which reduces the chance of unplanned movement or injury.

Thanks for visiting and let me know what you think in the comments! Anyone interested in hand stretches? Let me know!

Happy Feet, Part 1

I love my feet. They keep me stable, provide shock absorption, allow me to drum and dance and do most things that I love. There was a time when I took my feet for granted, yes, but I've learned how to please my feet. In the end, we both get to be happy.

Meet my feet's best friend:

Try this--it's the best massage ever. Get an old tennis ball--not one that's falling apart, but one that's moved beyond its stiff newness.

1. Take off your socks and shoes and set the ball on carpeted floor. If you're not the best at balancing on one foot, make sure to have a chair or table nearby to grab onto when needed.

2. Place your foot over the ball, so the ball fits in your foot's arch and press down, putting all your weight into that foot.

3. Press and release for as long as it feels good.

4. Next, you can roll the ball forward, backward, side-to-side. Release verbal sounds of pleasure when necessary... I'm sure I don't need to mention it, but be sure to switch feet.

Everything in the previous section can be done in any order, but this next step will lead into another foot stretch:

1. Set the tennis ball on the floor in front of you.

2. Spread your toes as wide as you can, and place them lightly on the ball. Try to pick the ball up with your toes. If you can't actually pick the ball up, keep repeating the motion. This will warm up the foot muscles for the next stretch.

Fingers and Toes Work Together:

1. Sit down with feet flat on the floor, knees pointing toward the ceiling. If you can't sit upright without support, do this with your back against a couch or wall.

2. Place your 4 fingers in the spaces between your toes on each foot.

3. If the muscles feel tight, this may be enough for you. Try to work up to the point where you can gently rotate your wrists in small, and then larger circles, loosening up the muscles.

Stay tuned for Part 2!

Tam Kung Festival

Every year on the 8th day of the 4th month of the lunar calendar in Shau Kei Wan of the Eastern District in Hong Kong, there is a celebration of Tam Kung. Local residents, particularly fisherman, worship this god of the sea at the Tam Kung Temple, also located here.

This year, on May 21, I attended the festival celebrating Tam Kung. A parade of most (maybe all?) of the lion dance groups in Hong Kong wrapped around the neighborhood for 3 hours. The weather was hot, thick, and sticky, the streets packed with people all trying to get a glimpse of the lions.

After an hour or so, I needed a break from the mayhem and my friend and I slipped into a small dim sum restaurant. Taking away the visual aspect, I noticed that each group had their own distinct drum rhythm during the parade, and soon I could guess which group was about to pass the restaurant. I snapped a few shots and caught a little footage, check it out:

Waiting for the show to start.

Children posing with the lion heads.

----------------------------------------------------------

It was tough to get the lion dancing on video with so many people around, but this is the best I could do:

Watch this one for a taste of the drumming:

Taikoforum.com June 14th!

Below is the email I just sent out. Note that we're starting out with groups in North America and plan to expand naturally according to the needs of the users--so anyone's welcome to join the community. Welcome!

Dear Taiko Family,

Please share this email with members of your taiko group.

Join us for the launch of Taikoforum.com on the morning of June 14th with moderator Kris Bergstrom!

You'll find 3 sections within the site: Forum, Wiki, and Group Map. The Forum is for discussion and also where you'll find the Featured Topic guided by the current moderator. The Wiki has informational pages on taiko. And, the Group Map shows where taiko groups are in North America.

As you explore please keep this in mind: Taikoforum.com is created to allow for maximum user participation! This means that we've gotten things started, but it's up to you to help make Taikoforum.com accurate and complete. So, once you register, we encourage you to:

1. Check out the Forum! Add your own comment or question; help keep the space active.

2. Check the Map to see if your group is represented and that all information is current. If not, follow the instructions at the bottom of the map for corrections.

3. Search the Wiki pages to see if one exists for your taiko group. If not, consider making one! Let your group members know so they can help create it.

4. Find the video page within the Wiki and edit it to include a link to a video of your group, if one does not already exist.

Please create a new Wiki page on any topic of your choice that you feel is important to the community, however we encourage you to first search the current pages to see if it already exists and also consider whether or not your topic could simply be added to another page.

Featured Topic, June 14th

Moderator: Kris Bergstrom

Kris began his taiko career as a member, composer, and leader of the university group, Stanford Taiko. He then spent 3 years in Japan where he studied and performed traditional dance within the Wakayagi school, kumidaiko with Nihon Taiko Dojo, and nagauta shamisen with Kineya Katsuyukie, one of the world’s most respected shamisen players. An artist of many talents, Kris maintains an active teaching schedule of taiko technique, turntable scratching, and shamisen, and currently serves as mentor to a small group of dedicated apprentices. In 2008 Kris received his natori (professional stage name) for nagauta shamisen from the Kineya School where he is known as Kineya Katsukoujyu. He is one of only a handful of musicians in the United States who have achieved this status.

Kris' Topic

Masturi Aces is a project to create a deck of 52 playing cards each with its own bon taiko (matsuri) move/rhythm. I will eventually be looking for move submissions from the community, but there are still lots of questions and tasks before that. Once complete, a series of games would involve players choosing cards and using their movements. The goal in the project is to move toward better form and innovation in bon taiko. I have a number of general questions for the taiko world about the project, and maybe a few specific ones too...

Please join Kris for discussion beginning June 14 and help us launch Taikoforum.com!

Thank you!

The Taikoforum Team

Carrie Carter (carrie@taikoforum.com)
Ben Pachter (ben@taikoforum.com)
Matt Tom-Wolverton (matt@taikoforum.com)
Adam Weiner (adam@taikoforum.com)

Lis Testa (lis@taikoforum.com)

I Want to Study Taiko in Japan!

A reader recently emailed me for suggestions on how she can study taiko in Japan for a short period of time. Thought I'd share the info with the rest of you and see if you know of anything else lingering out there! Email me if there's something to add!

KasaMix

When: September 5-16, 2010

Where: Sado Island, Kanazawa, Tokyo

Deadline for application (extended!): May 31 (it is possible to submit an application late if you notify Toni if your intent to apply by June 5)

Contact: Toni Yagami (taikotoni@yahoo.com)

Website: http://www.kodo.or.jp/kasa/frame.html

Inadani Taiko Drumming Course with Art Lee

When: June 14-19 or June 21-26, 2010

Where: Nagano Prefecture

Deadline for application: May 21

Website: http://www.wadaikoworld.net/japantaikocourse.html

Taiko Fukui

When: April 5-9 or April 10-16, 2010 (past!)

Where: Fukui

Deadline for application: N/A

Website: http://www.worldspirit.org.uk/taiko_tour.html

Oedo Sukeroku Taiko Workshop

When: August 20-24, 2010

Where: Nagano Prefecture

Deadline for application: July 31

Website: http://www.oedosukerokutaiko.com/htm/top_english.html

KODO Juku

When: October 7-11, 2010

Where: Sado Island

Deadline for application: June 30

Website: http://kodo.or.jp/ws/juku_eiichi_en.html

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.

Tam Kung Festival

Every year on the 8th day of the 4th month of the lunar calendar in Shau Kei Wan of the Eastern District in Hong Kong, there is a celebration of Tam Kung. Local residents, particularly fisherman, worship this god of the sea at the Tam Kung Temple, also located here.

This year, on May 21, I attended the festival celebrating Tam Kung. A parade of most (maybe all?) of the lion dance groups in Hong Kong wrapped around the neighborhood for 3 hours. The weather was hot, thick, and sticky, the streets packed with people all trying to get a glimpse of the lions.

After an hour or so, I needed a break from the mayhem and my friend and I slipped into a small dim sum restaurant. Taking away the visual aspect, I noticed that each group had their own distinct drum rhythm during the parade, and soon I could guess which group was about to pass the restaurant. I snapped a few shots and caught a little footage, check it out:

Waiting for the show to start.

Children posing with the lion heads.

----------------------------------------------------------

It was tough to get the lion dancing on video with so many people around, but this is the best I could do:

Watch this one for a taste of the drumming:

Nakanaka in New York This Weekend!

Let's Talk Cases!

There are only a handful of choices out there for taiko cases in the US. Where do your cases come from? I've collected mine gradually over the last few years and while each of them is from a different company/person, I'm very pleased with all of them.

Katsugi Okedo

I purchased this hard case when living in Japan. It was custom-made to fit my specific drum. For shipping my drum, I love love love this case! There has (so far) not been any noticeable damage to my drum and it's great to not worry about whether or not it will be okay if I check it as luggage. I do set a light blanket on the top end to prevent any shifting at all before shipping. It has a hard handle for hand carrying, and a long strap to use for over-the-shoulder.

Chu Daiko

Another custom-made drum case, I ordered this one from a drum company in Wisconsin. We discussed a few options via email for how to deal with the tapering of the drums, and I decided on a fitted bottom and a drawstring top with a padded flap. My cases fit snugly and are great for their purpose: day-to-day storage.

Shime Daiko

My soft shime daiko case was made by a friend of a friend. I like that there is a long strap and a shorter one, which gives 2 carrying options. I also appreciate the small business card slot, making identification easy, especially for travel. The foam lining is thick enough to prevent damage as I carry this drum on the subway system, but I always take it as a carry-on if traveling by plane.

A Quick Fix for a Shime Daiko Case

Need an easy way to carry your shime daiko without spending big bucks? Check out the video below, by Former Kodo Apprentice (2007-2009) and current Taikoza member Joe Small, on how it's done at the Apprentice Center:

KODO's New Online Store in English

Launch for KODO's English online store came on March 1, 2010. While the merchandise is still very limited, they'll be adding new things gradually.

Right now you can buy CDs, the 2009 Kodo Yearbook, and even those prized Kodo chappa (which I hear are so much easier to play than any other). I'm on my way to check out the chappa now, but check out the site for yourself!

KODO Online Store in English!

Philadelphia Visit

Last weekend I went to Philadelphia for a few taiko activities. First on the list was visiting Kyo Daiko's practice.

Kris led us in a focused practice of Koki Suzuki's Excel, which you can check out on the Rolling Thunder website. As promised, here are the photos we took afterwards!

taiko players are very serious.

but we know how to have fun!

Thank you, Kyo Daiko!

More from the weekend coming soon...

Taiko Drill 63, Striking Chu Daiko

Welcome back! Let's apply the drill from last week and actually strike the drum.

My chu daiko are from http://www.katotaiko.com/

Focus: Form, Timing
Watch For:
1. When you raise your arm to strike, lift it at a steady pace, using all of the time you have to get to the top.
2. Remember to initiate movement from the elbow.

Today's drill's explanation is quite simple, but can bring tremendous improvements to basic form if done consistently and mindfully. I personally find it most useful to do this for a long period of time, past the point of exhaustion, in order to train my body to still look nice when inside it feels like I can't lift my arm even one more time. Great for endurance!

Lift your arm for 4 counts (1, 2, 3, 4) and strike the drum on the following 1. Repeat this, always striking on beat 1, alternating hands. Be sure to follow a straight path up and down, paying particular attention to the arm and bachi at your highest point. Do your arms look different? Figure out what's different and adjust to make them identical.

Then, just repeat! 15-20 minutes should do it.

Here's an example:



Extra:

I thought it'd be helpful to show you which stance I use, but couldn't figure out how to record it quite well.... Here's my attempt.

Taiko Drill 62, Chu Daiko Form

There are many versions of chu daiko form; here I'd like to share mine with you. It's an option that you can feel free to use, modify, or leave be as you like.

Focus: Form
Watch For:
1. Tighten your core and slightly tuck your tailbone as demonstrated here to reduce any back pain you may have when playing.
2. Keeping elbows rolled out to the sides will help to prevent hyperextension.

When I say "form", I'm talking about how you set up your feet, their relation to your core and relation to your drum, how you raise your sticks, how you hold and strike your sticks, and the relationship of your body's center with the drum and the audience.

Okay, that's a bit much to consider at once, but... have you? Today let's focus on how we might raise and strike our sticks. This drill is a great tool for building muscle control and focus. Use it to break down the whole movement to decide what form works best for you and your group.

Let's get started!

Set up your stance as you normally play, arms in ready position. Check each arm to make sure the elbow is out to the sides, slightly rounded and slide your shoulder blades down the back (demonstrated in the video). This is the position you want to always return to immediately after striking the drum.

From the right hand, slowly rise the arm up, adjusting the wrist so your bachi is a straight extension of your arm. Once you've reached the top, check to make sure your stick is pointing how you want it to. Carefully, moving first from the elbow, trace your striking form in slow motion. I prefer for my bachi to strike in a straight path, which I try to emulate as I practice this drill.

Repeating this for 20 minutes a day, especially if you can't drum often, will do great things for your arm muscles! Just remember to keep the pace slow and you'll notice changes in your form in a week or two!

Guess What??

Want to check these out in person?

Join me in a Beginning Taiko Class in Washington DC!

Wednesdays 6:45-8:45pm
8 Weeks, 2/10-4/1
To register, contact 202-547-6839 or visit http://www.chaw.org/

Kato Taiko!!

Taiko Drill 61, 2 Against 3

We've been building up to this drill in the previous two drills, 59 and 60. So, if you've been practicing your triplets and doubles, let's get started.

Focus: Timing, Counting
Watch For:
1. If you've practiced the two drills before this one, try to change your listening focus while you play. Sometimes listen to the 2, then listen to the 3, then hear it as a whole pattern.
2. Be aware of your timing no matter what you're listening to!

The video explains it all this week:

First I'll play 2 hits 8 times with my left hand. Then, I'll play 3 hits 8 times, but within the same timeframe as the twos. I'll repeat one more time and then play both parts together!



Extension
This drill is very versatile! You can play with multiple drums, start the 2 on the upbeat while the 3 starts on the downbeat. Here's one way to practice timing with a group:

Instead of playing each part with one stick, divide your taiko group into 2 parts. One group will play 2 and one group will play 3. It'll take a lot of patience and a lot of listening, but it's a great tool for listening to one another and helps bring attention to the group's timing as a whole.

See you next week! We're moving on to Chu Daiko!

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!