Workshop #12
Fue Fundamentals
Kaoru Watanabe
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
Due to Kaoru’s range and wealth of knowledge accumulated after decades of intense study and performance, even seasoned players may gain insight about this incredibly versatile instrument through this fundamentals class. The workshop will begin with a brief overview of different types of fue, their construction and distinct playing styles. Kaoru will then go over basic hand position, breathing, tone production, fingering exercises and some simple melodies. Participants should bring a #8 or #6 fue if possible. Fue will also be available for sale.
Workshop #13
Got Dynamics?
Roy Hirabayashi
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
Are all the members of your group on the same page? Working effectively as a group requires more than just playing the music together. This workshop is designed to bring the members of your group to the same level of awareness through a series of role-playing and improvisational activities. Examining and understanding the personalities in your group can help improve rehearsals, and in turn, make for a better performance.
Workshop #15
How Accurate Am I?
Shoji Kameda
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
2+ years
In this workshop participants will learn about playing to a “click”, an essential skill for recording and for improving the ability to play in time. Participants will be recorded and get valuable feedback on their timing tendencies.
Workshop #16
How to Kiai Confidently While Playing Taiko
Masato Baba
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
I have a loud voice. I know I can kiai. How do I play and kiai at the same time? This workshop will focus on how to kiai in three areas that we need help in most. The first area is kiai-ing while playing various patterns within a song without sounding totally fixed. The second area is playing a supporting role, like playing jiuchi, and giving it your all without falling out of beat. The third is to create atmospheres within different parts of songs.
Workshop #22
Ji Patterns and Soloing Musically
Kenny Endo
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
One of taiko’s major roles in traditional Japanese music is as an accompaniment for theater, dance, and other music genres. In kumi daiko, the art of correctly propelling the music and supporting the soloists through solid ji playing (base beat) is often overlooked. Basic kumi daiko ji patterns as well as patterns from traditional music will be explained. Internalizing the beat, soloing within a group context, timing, and performing as a soloist will also be covered.
Spontaneity, phrasing, and thematic soloing will be introduced. A great improvised solo will not only raise the energy level of performance but transport everyone to another place. Explore the creativity you have within yourself!
Workshop #23
Kaitoryu Style Taiko Drumming
Marco Lienhard
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
2+ years
Learn a new style using two drums and twirling sticks with the left hand!
The style is called Kagura, and it originates from Tobishima village in the Aichi prefecture. We will go through the simpler song of that style and learn about main phrases of the song using a shime and a nagado placed at your right.
It is a new and challenging way to play taiko that will help you expand your skills and help you compose or create new taiko songs. Expand your horizons!
Workshop #21
Jamming on 8
Gary Tsujimoto
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
This workshop will help you with improvisation and creating a solo. Learn how to create a repertoire of rhythms that you can use to phrase your solo. Participants will be able to share ideas and beats to help in the learning process. Playing in meter and keeping time will be covered with drills in fun ways to help you stay in the groove.
Kuchi showa will be emphasized- if you can say it, you can play it! By internalizing the rhythms and feeling the beat, your movements will flow naturally, giving your solo a spontaneous feel. Bring your own chudaiko bachi.
Workshop #25
Katsugi Okedo - Beginner
Ringtaro Tateishi
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
An introduction to sling okedo playing style: How would you like the freedom to move all around the stage during a Taiko performance?
The KATSUGI OKEDO is the perfect solution that can make you and your group more entertaining with added variety in performance. A featured member of Ondekoza for 10 years, the top KATSUGI OKEDO player Ringtaro Tateishi will help you in developing your own this style. After this workshop, you will be able to grasp the basic concepts of playing on these drums. Let’s have a great time.
Workshop #29
Master Class I
Seiichi Tanaka
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
Join the “Father of Taiko in America,” Tanaka-sensei, as he leads an intensive taiko basics class for beginners. Tanaka-sensei’s San Francisco Taiko Dojo is the oldest group in North America and his students have gone to form groups and continue his “Tanaka-style” of taiko across the U.S.
Workshop #31
Movement and Flow — Develop a Rocking Matsuri Solo
Kris Bergstrom
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
2+ years
Learn new moves, new rhythms, and new techniques for creating an engaging Matsuri Daiko solo! Most Matsuri Daiko solos are “flat” and monotonous. This workshop guides participants through using movement, flow, and the basic structure of Matsuri Daiko (don kara ka ka) to make solos that are individualized, musical, and exciting!
Workshop #34
Odaiko I
Tiffany Tamaribuchi
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
A basic foundation for playing the big drum, including everything from selecting the right bachi to targeted stretching and warm-ups, comparison of stances/kata, some fundamental sticking techniques and tips on how to play with ease and natural power.
Workshop #38
Rhythm Is Life!
Adam Weiner
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
Rhythm is life. We breathe in rhythm, we walk in rhythm. In taiko, rhythm is what most of us constantly want to improve on, understand, create, and enjoy. Because there are different ways of interpreting rhythm, I’ll show how to both *feel* and *understand* it.
Workshop #41 -CANCELLED- Please make sure your workshop preferences do not reflect this workshop as a choice.
Taiko Choreography
Bonnie Soon
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
2+ years
Learn about the creative process in developing new movement for taiko songs. Taiko drumming can express a dynamic range of emotion, from furious power to gentle grace. Participate in exercises in group dynamics and choreography that develop awareness, confidence and movement in solo and group playing. Expand your range of expression and communication playing taiko.
Workshop #42
Tamaire
Kelvin Underwood
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
Stroke by stroke participants will discover Tamaire, the shime daiko solo section of the classic piece Yatai Bayashi. This rhythm focuses on some of the most basic rhythms played on taiko such as the single stroke roll played using straight 8th notes and really fast 32nd notes; plus, the popular “horse rhythm” (ten teke ten teke…). Through repetition students will discover a variety of essential techniques that will improve their overall shime daiko performance. Bachi grips and strike techniques will be explored to help develop dynamic range and a richer sound. Improvisation will also be covered, giving each participant an opportunity to express themselves during this workshop. Participants should bring their own shime daiko bachi (light wood bachi).
Workshop #43
Visual Phrasing: Taiko in Motion
Michelle Fuji
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
In this workshop participants will create short phrases of taiko movement utilizing imagery and improvisation to create their own inherent sense of movement and to develop visual taiko that has intention, purpose, and phrasing.
Workshop #45
Western Musical Notation for the Taiko Player
Meg Suzuki
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
Western musical notation: a useful way to learn, record, and remember rhythms and simple enough to learn in a few minutes. In this workshop, you will learn basic western notation as it relates to kuchishoga. Find out how to use both of these methods to make learning, teaching, and playing taiko easier.
Workshop #55
Chappa Technique & Style
Patrick Graham
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
Chappa technique has been widely developed by many individuals and groups. Learn to utilize chappa with Patrick Graham, renowned percussionist to produce dynamic and in depth sounds to add to your own performance. Participants are encouraged to bring their own chappa. Participants should also bring earplugs!
Workshop #61
Mochi Tsuki
Yuta Kato and Shohei Takatani
Friday, Aug. 7 @ 1:30 PM
Rice is a vital ingredient of Japanese culture. Since ancient times, during celebratory occasions, sweet rice has been pounded into a special kind of food (Mochi), and has been shared among the Shinto gods and the community (including vegans).
How does this relate to our taiko lives? We’d like to find out. But it is certain, that two young men, who have dedicated their lives to taiko and serving the community, began their journey through annual Mochitsukis in their parents’ garage.
You will learn:
-Brief history of mochi.
-Everything you need to know about making good mochi.
-How making mochi is a great tool to bring together the community.
-How taiko plays into the whole picture, and how your taiko can be improved through such.
At the end, all participants will savor the greatness of freshly made mochi.