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In October 2007 we were fortunate to have Tomida Kazuaki visit our studio and teach a workshop on "Chichibu Yatai Bayashi." Tomida-san is one of the original "Ondekoza" members that went on to found "Kodo." He has since left "Kodo" and currently plays solo shows and teaches taiko around the Tokyo area.
The workshop was very helpful for us because Tomida-san carefully pointed out the subtleties of the "Chichibu" rhythms. The taiko part - which has some tricky dynamics and accents when played properly, takes some time to master. The shimedaiko part (called "Tamaire") is both very fast and very technical. It takes even more practice to master especially playing a fast "horse beat" on the shime. Tomida-san then gave us a copy of sheet music for his version of "Tamaire" and also played it for us, his shimedaiko technique and speed are truly amazing.
Lori Lowe took a nice video clip of Tomida-san playing his version of "Tamaire" and posted it on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WZdY3_rwDc
At the end of the workshop, Tomida-san showed us the proper technique for playing "atarigane" especially as it is played for "Chichibu." He also played a short "Odaiko" solo for us, which was really fun to watch. He seemed impressed that we make our own "shumoku," in fact he commented that he is impressed by the way all the American taiko groups have made their own instruments.
A few weeks after Tomida-san returned to Japan, Will Clemens of Tatsumaki Taiko noticed that Tomida-san had a blog with some entries about teaching in the USA. Will translated Tomida-san's notes about our workshop:
"All of the taiko here were made by the group. That's really impressive, isn't it. Most of the taiko teams in America make the drums by themselves, and groups help each other to make them."
He also seemed to like our practice taiko (made from car tires or from concrete molds with strapping tape for the heads) -
"It's a taiko made of ... paper? The hide is tape. What kind of tape is it? It is a kind of tape I've never seen in Japan. This was a really good idea...Of course, it doesn't make much of a sound, but it can be used for practicing rythms."
Some of his comments about taiko, and the popularity of taiko outside of Japan:
"At the end, I played the biggest taiko. They said that it was made by Phil Pickering, the leader, and others. Although he is not of Japanese heritage, he loves Japanese taiko, and with that has built this group up to what it is now. I started to see something in him that seemed Japanese. Like judo, I think that taiko is less and less just something from Japan, or just for Japanese people. Looking at the taiko here (wine barrel taiko), they look very similar to the taiko you see in China and other parts of Asia, but the intent of those who are playing them is the Japanese art of taiko (or that plus their own cultural consciousness), which makes it different from Chinese taiko. My wish is that they will start from here and spin up a tornado of a new taiko culture."
Tomida-san will be returning to the US again in the fall of 2008. Anyone interested in contacting him about a workshop should try emailing him through his web site: http://www.tomida-net.com
We are planning our 5th taiko-making workshop in 2008. The workshop will be held at our studio - 725 Gilman Street, Berkeley, California. The date is Saturday, June 7, 2008 and the scheduled time is 11am to 5pm. The cost will be $50 per person. The workshop is open to the public. Please check the "Newletter" page or our Calendar Page for updates on the workshop schedule.
Joe Bowes leading the skinning demonstration at our 2004 taiko-making workshop
The workshop will cover these topics:
- making the body from a wine barrel
- gluing techniques
- biscuit joints and other options for reinforcement
- sizes, and styles of taiko
- installing handles (kan)
- options on finishing the wood
- the problems in selecting a skin
- skinning preparations
- constructing a skinning rig
- tips on getting better results when skinning your taiko
- a “round table” discussion of any taiko participants have made
We will provide some printed materials on the subjects discussed. Participants will do several “hands on” exercises, such as gluing a body, and using a biscuit joiner. We will also do a skinning demonstration. Participants are encouraged to bring in taiko that they have made, or are about to make, so the group can discuss the construction of each taiko.
Please contact Tatsumaki Taiko (tatsumaki@email.com) for registration, and to be put on the email list for the workshop.
Here are some pictures from some previous taiko making workshops. As you can see everyone had their hands full throughout the workshop - either gluing a barrel, making the "mimi" on a taiko skin, or cranking up the tension on the hides we stretched. And of course we are looking forward to doing it again this year.
I would also like to pass on some acknowledgments, because putting together our taiko-making workshop would not be possible without the help of many of our friends & family. Thank you Joe Bowes, Norma, Nelson (for that duct tape trick!), and Will for all your help and hard work! Arigatou gozaimasu.
Mail your "DIY" taiko photos to us:
Tatsumaki Taiko's Studio - 725 Gilman St. (studio "D"), Berkeley, California
Tatsumaki Taiko teaches weekly taiko
classes at our studio located at 725 Gilman Street (near 4th St.), in Berkeley. Our classes
meet on Sundays, we have open practice on Tuesdays nights (7pm to 9pm). The performing group also
rehearses on Thursday nights (7pm to 9pm)
Sunday Schedule:
10am to 11:30am - intermediate class
11:30am to 1:30pm - performing group
2:00pm to 3:00pm - beginner "Intro to Taiko" classes and special workshops
For more information about our class schedule and fees, please email us (tatsumaki@email.com), or
call (510) 548-3508. Information about our class schedule can also be found on
our Calendar
Page.
Please check our Calendar Page for
information about Tatsumaki Taiko's
performance schedule. If you would like further information, or would like to
schedule a performance, please contact us:
E-mail: tatsumaki@email.com
Phone: (510) 548-3508 (ask for Phil Pickering).
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That's all the news that fits for Newsletter #15. As always, feel free to send us your questions and comments. Email address for Tatsumaki Taiko - taiko
classes and performances: tatsumaki@email.com. |
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4/28/2008 by akudo3