Get all the details on the Kaoru Watanabe Taiko Center Facebook page!
A place for useful tips, drills, and information about taiko.
Showing posts with label workshop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label workshop. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Taiko Class in New York City!
Are you in New York? Don't miss out on this taiko workshop opportunity January 29, 2010!
Get all the details on the Kaoru Watanabe Taiko Center Facebook page!
Get all the details on the Kaoru Watanabe Taiko Center Facebook page!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
2009 TOKARA Wadaiko Bootcamp
Are you looking for an alternative summer taiko experience to NATC? How about going to rural Japan!
From http://www.tokara.net/ArtLee/
Art Lee's Taiko Bootcamp will be held this August:
August 10-15, English (Course B)
August 27-30, Japanese (Course C)
You can get more information on the Tokara website, but here's a short excerpt below.
Online application due June 1.
From http://www.tokara.net/ArtLee/
Art Lee first began the study of taiko in 1993 from the Sacramento Taiko Dan with whom he later became a featured performer and instructor. He later joined one of the world's most famed taiko groups, Za Ondekoza, for their U.S. and Japan Tour, which culminated in a landmark concert at Carnegie Hall.
Art Lee became a solo performer after moving to Japan in 1998.
And on November 14th, 2001, Art exploded onto the world scene
when he became the first person in the world ever to be granted an
unsponsored artist visa from the Japanese government to teach, perform, and lead the life of a Professional Taiko Artist in Japan.
Art Lee's Taiko Bootcamp will be held this August:
August 10-15, English (Course B)
August 27-30, Japanese (Course C)
You can get more information on the Tokara website, but here's a short excerpt below.
Online application due June 1.
The TOKARA Wadaiko Camp is an intensive taiko training session during which participants will have the chance to be taught in the energetic performance style of TOKARA by Wadaiko Artist Art Lee. Participants to the 2009 Wadaiko Camp will spend intensive taiko study of all original drills and composition. In the evenings, paritcipants will be able to enjoy the festive atmosphere of Iida City and Achi Village during Obon festival season, as well as join TOKARA for their 2009 Hirugami no Hibiki showcase at the outside Hirugami Onsen Mountain Theater in Hirugami Onsen Resort. On the fifth day, Course B participants will have the opportunity to perform an original piece written by Art Lee at the Hirugami Onsen Mountain Theater. All drills and compositions are originally created by Wadaiko Artist Art Lee.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Taiko Drills, Part 32 ATARIGANE
What a busy taiko week--I've had lots of taiko-playing visitors recently! Don't forget that next week is Golden Week. There may still be room in the taiko workshops, taught by my teacher--check it out!
Okay, so let's back up to chan chiki from last week.
The request made for chan chiki drills was sent ages ago, and there are a few reasons it's taken me so long to get around to it. While it's tough to teach it over the internet, I'm also very weary of trying too hard or giving too many details, the result of which may actually be mis-teaching. So, thanks for your patience and understanding. This will be the last atarigane drill for this series. As always, post a comment if you have a question, or email me directly.
Focus: Form
Watch for:
1. When playing the basic "chiki", the hand holding the bachi should be relaxed and controlled (easy to say, huh?)
2. Keep the bell-holding hand steady and perpendicular to the floor.
Last week we practiced 'chi' and 'chan' and tried to get used to the rotation required of the hand holding the bell. In order to continue practicing that rotation, this week we'll combine 'chan' and 'chiki'. Here's the rhythm:
Chan is the same as last week: Pull the index and middle fingers away from the bell, rotating the wrist away from your body. Hit at the center of the bell.
Chi ki is 2 identical sounds. Begin in "starting position" with both fingers pressed against the bell and the palm facing inward, perpendicular to the floor. Initiating movement from the wrist, not the arm (though the arm still moves), hit the inside rim of the bell, to the left, then right.
Remember! When going from 'chan' to 'chi ki', rotate your hand to "starting position" before it's time to hit 'chi ki'. Doing this consistently at a slow pace will help you continue to hit the same spots when you increase speed.
Extension:
Add this line, as also seen in the video:
(Note: "ran" here is the same as "chan")
And, my traditional soundless video, alternating the two patterns above:
Gambatte kudasai!
Okay, so let's back up to chan chiki from last week.
The request made for chan chiki drills was sent ages ago, and there are a few reasons it's taken me so long to get around to it. While it's tough to teach it over the internet, I'm also very weary of trying too hard or giving too many details, the result of which may actually be mis-teaching. So, thanks for your patience and understanding. This will be the last atarigane drill for this series. As always, post a comment if you have a question, or email me directly.
Focus: Form
Watch for:
1. When playing the basic "chiki", the hand holding the bachi should be relaxed and controlled (easy to say, huh?)
2. Keep the bell-holding hand steady and perpendicular to the floor.
Last week we practiced 'chi' and 'chan' and tried to get used to the rotation required of the hand holding the bell. In order to continue practicing that rotation, this week we'll combine 'chan' and 'chiki'. Here's the rhythm:
| 1 | & | 2 | & | ||
| chan | chi | ki |
Chan is the same as last week: Pull the index and middle fingers away from the bell, rotating the wrist away from your body. Hit at the center of the bell.
Chi ki is 2 identical sounds. Begin in "starting position" with both fingers pressed against the bell and the palm facing inward, perpendicular to the floor. Initiating movement from the wrist, not the arm (though the arm still moves), hit the inside rim of the bell, to the left, then right.
Remember! When going from 'chan' to 'chi ki', rotate your hand to "starting position" before it's time to hit 'chi ki'. Doing this consistently at a slow pace will help you continue to hit the same spots when you increase speed.
Extension:
Add this line, as also seen in the video:
| 1 | & | 2 | & | ||
| chan | ran | chi | ki |
(Note: "ran" here is the same as "chan")
And, my traditional soundless video, alternating the two patterns above:
Gambatte kudasai!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Golden Week Taiko Workshops!
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!
Saturday, May 2
1:00-4:00pm
Learn Ryo Shimamoto's latest composition, Yaiba 刃
Tuesday, May 5
9:00-12:00
Odaiko
Tuesday, May 5
1:00-4:00
Katsugi Okedo
Wednesday, May 6
9:00-12:00
Learn Ryo Shimamoto's latest composition, Yaiba 刃
Wednesday, May 6
1:00-4:00
Learn Ryo Shimamoto's latest composition, Yaiba 刃
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.
imakat (at) iris.eonet.ne.jp
Let me know if I should look for you!
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!
Saturday, May 2
1:00-4:00pm
Learn Ryo Shimamoto's latest composition, Yaiba 刃
Tuesday, May 5
9:00-12:00
Odaiko
Tuesday, May 5
1:00-4:00
Katsugi Okedo
Wednesday, May 6
9:00-12:00
Learn Ryo Shimamoto's latest composition, Yaiba 刃
Wednesday, May 6
1:00-4:00
Learn Ryo Shimamoto's latest composition, Yaiba 刃
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.
imakat (at) iris.eonet.ne.jp
Let me know if I should look for you!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Shidara Taiko Residency Update
Shidara posted more videos. Here are a few I enjoyed below. Check out the Shidara Youtube site for more!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
2009 Summer Taiko Institute, August 3, 4, 5
Applications are being accepted for this year's STI which will be lead by On Ensemble in LA. Please check out the website for full details, but here's a short excerpt on what to expect:
"On Ensemble is composing a brand new taiko piece, to be debuted at STI and taught to the 25 participants! With the piece as a foundation, the program explores each step of the song cycle: from practice to performance to critical review and revision. In addition to basic form and technique training, participants learn practical tips for improving timing, musicality, and playing as a group. As the song is further polished, supplementary drills and performance concepts for refinement are explored. Along with specific techniques, rhythms, and drills, participants learn the On Ensemble members’ underlying philosophies and creative processes. STI participants come away empowered to apply the concepts to future songs. The course provides numerous take-home materials, in addition to the new piece itself, for sharing with participants’ home groups."
I attended the STI in 2007 and found it to be a great learning experience, especially for those who live in a place with few taiko resources. It's also conveniently scheduled just before NATC, so it's easy to attend both. If you have any questions about my time at the last STI, please post in the comments. Thanks!
"On Ensemble is composing a brand new taiko piece, to be debuted at STI and taught to the 25 participants! With the piece as a foundation, the program explores each step of the song cycle: from practice to performance to critical review and revision. In addition to basic form and technique training, participants learn practical tips for improving timing, musicality, and playing as a group. As the song is further polished, supplementary drills and performance concepts for refinement are explored. Along with specific techniques, rhythms, and drills, participants learn the On Ensemble members’ underlying philosophies and creative processes. STI participants come away empowered to apply the concepts to future songs. The course provides numerous take-home materials, in addition to the new piece itself, for sharing with participants’ home groups."
I attended the STI in 2007 and found it to be a great learning experience, especially for those who live in a place with few taiko resources. It's also conveniently scheduled just before NATC, so it's easy to attend both. If you have any questions about my time at the last STI, please post in the comments. Thanks!
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