Good shime daiko technique will improve your technique on all sized taiko. This class will concentrate on the intricate shime daiko techniques and patterns found in the lively festival music of Edo Bayashi (Tokyo festival music). This technique is quite refined and has applications to all sized taiko. Emphasis will be on timing, playing with precision, grip, sound, nori (groove), and relaxing.
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Workshop 2—Solid Shime Daiko Playing
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Workshop 2—Tea and Scribble: A Composition Playground
The taiko world needs you… to create! So many taiko players are afraid of writing music. That’s because, in all honesty, it’s hard. But it’s fun too! Face the challenge and join this soiree of creativity to find the idea for rhythm generation, capture, arrangement, or musical meaning that you need to get over the hump. Open to players of all levels, this workshop presents the tools Kris and Minh have used in their now 5-year composition focus, as well as insightful prompts to help individual participants determine their own strengths and weaknesses. Whether you have a piece in the works, or you want to start, bring a notebook, pen, and questions. Kris and Minh (Arugakki) will perform a selection of their newest work and share the creative process behind the music/dance. Plus we’ll have tea as we chat. Join us on the fun/frustrating rollercoaster of composition!
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Workshop 2—The Wonderful World of Chappa
The chappa is a versatile instrument often overlooked in a taiko ensemble. Almost every group has a pair of chappa but often nobody wants to play it! The goal of this workshop is to learn basic patterns and techniques that will help you develop facility with the instrument and unlock its sonic potential. By the end of this workshop participants will have patterns that they can practice and be excited about the potential of the instrument.
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Workshop 2—Yamamba: Wandering Mountain Spirit – empowering the inner you
Empowering the inner you – Sometimes it may be easier to release your inner self when hidden behind a mask. In this workshop, participants will craft simple masks to wear while drumming, using them as a tool for self-expression and transformation. Through guided movement and rhythm, we’ll explore ways to awaken the body, unlock creativity, and connect with the spirit within. Channeling the energy of ancient mountain spirits rising from the earth, we’ll drum, move, and express ourselves freely and powerfully.
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Workshop 2—Yodan Uchi Fundamentals
Fundamental concepts and drills will be taught along with iconic patterns to start participants on the path for good Yodan Uchi playing.
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Workshop 3—Drumming Across Surfaces: Multi-Drum Basics
Dive into the rhythm and excitement of drumming across multiple taiko! This workshop will focus on essential techniques to enhance your ability to move your bachi seamlessly from drum to drum. We will cover the basics of coordinating your movements as you play on various drums, building your confidence and skill, engage in targeted exercises designed to help you transition smoothly between drums, enhancing your overall drumming fluency, and combine everything into a lively and enjoyable practice exercise that you can incorporate into your own taiko practice. Bring lightweight shime/ okedo bachi.
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Workshop 3—Embodied Storytelling through Movement
PJ will present an immersive movement experience based on her creative initiative “TaikoPeace” (acronym for Partnerships, Empathy, And Creative Empowerment). She will incorporate elements of her dance “Ei Ja Nai Ka” and share a dynamic exercise she calls “Embodied Storytelling” that promotes group bonding and community building.
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Workshop 3—Fue: Beginning Technique, Drills, and Scales
We will learn various techniques on how to approach the shinobue on #6, #7, and/or #8 utabue which are shinobue tuned to a Western scale. We will learn different scales that I use to compose melodies.
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Workshop 3—Hachijo Daiko
History, background, and all the technical tools necessary for eventual creation of your very own Hachijo Daiko expression.
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Workshop 3—Improvisation, spontaneous creativity
We improvise daily. We make plans & adjust as things come up. Improvisation is a reaction to action. Improvising music allows us to offer ideas while being flexible & flow. It helps to open the ears to listen & respond. One does not have to do improvisation while performing, but practicing improvisational music will help with overall awareness, creativity, & development of skills.