I think it is rare to see such impressive musicianship and excellent teaching skills in the same person, and even more amazing to find a group of four people who work so well together in both of those respects.

They split up the job of teaching us so that each member of On Ensemble taught us something about a different aspect of playing taiko specifically, or playing rhythms in general, all in the context of learning a new song.  Some of the time they taught us as a large group, but for learning the individual parts, they broke us into smaller groups (Maz led my group).

Overall, it was really well planned.  I totally appreciated the fact that they stuck to a well organized schedule, while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere, and did their best to make sure everyone got a chance to play frequently.  When I wasn’t playing I was air drumming along, or doing my best to absorb the details of what the group that was up was doing.  I was sometimes sleepy, but never bored.

The music that we were learning was a new concept for me in more ways than one.  Shoji created something both clever (the sections followed a formula between loud and soft) and intricate, with an deep, pulsing, groove.  At the end of the day, he emphasized the fact that he’d created this as open source taiko…  meaning that we SHOULD take it home, change it up, and make it truly our own, without even crediting him for the song.  He didn’t even give it a name so it can become an entirely different thing for every group that plays it.

STI culminated in playing what we’d learned in front of an audience (whoever Kris could convince to come).  I was relieved to be in the back, playing Odaiko, where I wasn’t super visible, so I wasn’t too nervous.  Instead it was a fun way to end our lessons.

Me with Carrie Carter of All Things Taiko. OC does not mean Orange County.

I’m really sad that STI is over…  three days hardly seems enough.  However, Taiko Conference proper is just about to begin.  We still get to hang out with other players.  For example, the three of us had dinner last night with Kelvin, plus John-Paul and Matt– two of the other participants.  We also have an appointment to rehearse taiko games with Kris this evening.

I’m so glad that the end of STI is not the end of my taiko vacation, and am looking forward to being surrounded by a mob of additional players.

Another note: It was great to see some old friends from the KASA/Mix trip again, including former Kodo apprentice, Joe, as well as John-Paul, and Marinda. I was also pleased to meet fellow STI participant Carrie Carter, writer of All Things Taiko, and to discover that like me, she went to Oberlin College!

I am learning my shime part of the song.

Days one and two of Summer Taiko Institute are over and Joy, Beth and I are pleasantly exhausted. We’ve spent two days absorbing techniques on timing, articulation, form and stance, all while learning a new song written by Shoji Kameda of On Ensemble. There has been a lot packed into our 8:00 – 5:00 days and we are soaking in as much as we can – Kris, Maz, Shoji and Kelvin have been amazing teachers. Tomorrow is day three and I’m looking forward to it!

Exhaustion did not keep a group of STI participants from meeting in the lobby of our hotel tonight until 10:00 to practice the new song we are learning.

Karen arrived tonight and by Thursday eleven members of Odaiko New England will be here for the North American Taiko Conference.

We had dinner at my favorite Ramen shop.

Kelvin walked by while we were practicing in the lobby of the Miyako

Beth, Tanya and me playing in the trees near the La Brea Tar Pits

It’s finally August, and that means Taiko Conference and Summer Taiko Institute!

Tanya, Beth and I have never been to Taiko Conference before, and we decided to jump in with both feet and do it all! Beth and I arrived in LA this afternoon and joined Tanya, who’s been visiting here with her daughter the last few weeks.

Tanya introduces me to Pinkberry frozen yogurt. I know tomorrow will include another trip there.

STI begins tomorrow and we’re here, but we still don’t know what to expect. We haven’t been given a schedule or details – all we’ve been told is to meet up at 8am at Japanese American Cultural Center for registration. I’m dying to know more!

I guess, instead, I should pretend to be mature, responsible, and patient and turn in early to get a good night’s sleep before what is sure to be an exciting and exhausting day.

Pfftt!