Taiko Drumming: Working the Brain and Body

Last weekend, some of my studio families, friends and I took a beginner taiko drumming workshop. It might sound like an unusual activity for a piano studio, but music is music, regardless of instrument. Besides, nothing challenges your sense of rhythm and coordination like playing percussion in a group.

The first time I heard taiko drumming live was at the Calgary Omatsuri, featuring the Midnight Taiko Kai. I was immediately drawn to the driving rhythms, the synchronicity amongst the ensemble members, and the martial arts like discipline.

That was several years ago. I have since gotten to know two members of Midnight Taiko though other musical endeavours, thus making it rather easy to set up a custom taiko workshop through the Mount Royal Conservatory.

Taiko and Brain Games

We had a three-hour workshop let by Paula Midori Niekar sensei, Artistic Director of Midnight Taiko. She started us off with various brain exercises based on the Rock, Paper, Scissors game to wake up our foggy brains:

After a few minutes, we added the rest of our body to the mix, scooting up and down the floor. It was challenging.

Next, we learned basic techniques for holding the drumsticks (bachi) and our stance (kamae). The latter reminded me our our long stance for one of the martial arts I practice.

Testing our Endurance with Taiko

We learned a couple of basic patterns by ear and by rote, which is traditionally how taiko is taught. Then, we moved on to the Oroshi, which is the "Come check out what we're doing!" pattern.

Finally, we learned Isami Goma, which is a song I have heard Midnight Taiko perform. It translates to "Courageous War Horse." It's quite a long piece, so we had to learn it in sections and went through countless repetitions.

It really tested our memory, coordination and physical endurance. Finally, we had it decent enough to record:

Unfortunately, the sound quality isn't the greatest. My poor camera mic just couldn't handle all that percussion. Next time, I'll bring my Handy Zoom and adjust the mic levels and set-up appropriately.

My students and their parents enjoyed themselves immensely. Afterwards, they expressed the desire to do another taiko workshop next year.

Opening the workshop up to my piano parents and friends made for a wonderful studio community activity. As some of you know, social interaction with other "piano geeks" was one thing that was missing from my musical education growing up. It became an integral part to my musical studies at university. Group activities are an important part of my studio for these reasons, along with giving my students varied ways to enjoy music.

どうも ありがとう ございました to Paula Midori Niekar, Lisa Macleod and the Mount Royal Conservatory. If you'd like to try your hand at taiko, check out the taiko programs at MRU. If you'd like to hear taiko live, check out Midnight Taiko in concert on March 17, 2018.

Highlights from the 2013 Calgary Omatsuri

The 2013 Calgary Japanese Festival - the Calgary Omatsuri - has come and gone. It was a splendid event, with a wide range of programming, entertainment and demonstrations to give attendees of a taste of Japanese culture, history and traditions. We could not have asked for a better day. It was sunny (most of the time) and it was hot on August 17, 2013.

As I mentioned in my last post, Omatsuri Entertainment Director, Kathleen "Irulanne" Boucher asked me to document the Japanese Festival and to interview as many performers as I could. It made for a long day, but I had a blast! たのしかった です。

I did a bit of an experiment with the recording. My gear for the day comprised of my GoPro Hero2 camera, my keitai (used as a wi-fi remote/viewing screen) and my Zoom H2 portable recorder (used as an external microphone). The fish eye effect was rather neat with the GoPro. I even managed to film while dancing the Tanko Bushi, although I got motion sickness from just watching the clip when I started moving the camera as a shovel. Not to worry, I didn't include that part in my vlog.

The interviews were great. I managed to interview Martial Simard (shakuhachi), Dave Rathnow, Roku-Dan Iaido practitioner and instructor at Shin Ken Kai Nobara, Midnight Taiko Kai, Mizue Asai-Kaufmann and Kaori Akiyama (koto players), Anything Goes, the Kotobuki Senior Group, two musicians from the Jpop and Anime Talent Show and finally, the Minyo Dancers from Lethbridge, They will form the next few posts.

I was quite sad to hear that the the sword making demonstration was cancelled. In hindsight, it would have been very difficult for me to cover that session AND all the programming outside.

The children's games, such as this one pictured below, sold out quickly:

Inside, there were several booths, showcasing Japanese handcrafts, tea, snacks and the Calgary Japanese Community Association's history project: Okage Sama De ("I Am Because of You"). Some of the events that took place inside included an ikebana demonstration as well as a green tea presentation.

Making its debut at the Calgary Omatsuri was the Shogun Grill Food Truck, run by the family that owns Foster's Bakery. The takoyaki was so flavourful and tender:

Gomen! I forgot to take a food porn shot of my okonomiyaki and my mochi balls.

All right, without further ado, here's my first vlog of Calgary Omatsuri highlights on my new otaku/geek awesomeness channel on YouTube, ChibiSamuraiTV:

Explore Japanese Culture at the 2013 Calgary Japanese Festival

It always looks like the characters are having so much fun at Japanese festivals in anime shows - the lanterns, the takoyaki, the yakisoba, the games, the neat marriage of old and new. If only we have something like it here...

As of the summer of 2011, we can say that we have our own Japanese festival. Now in its third year, the Calgary Japanese Festival Omatsuri offers frugal family- friendly activities to do in Calgary worth checking out.

The Omatsuri offers plenty to do in Calgary next weekend, including music, dance, food, games, cultural displays and merchandise. This year's celebration is slated for Saturday, August 17 2013 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Bridgeland Riverside Community Centre & Park. 

After the opening ceremonies, there will be an Omikoshi parade (portable shrine). There is also a yukata contest open to anyone who is dressed in this traditional festival outfit.

The Kotokuki Senior Group will be treating attendees to several performances, including the Sumida-gawa play, the Tankou Bushi dance and  Aowa dancing. Having volunteered with many of the Kotokuki seniors at the Calgary Japanese Community Association's 2011 tsunami and earthquake relief efforts, I can tell you that this is one energetic group!

Other performances include my Calgary Japanese Language School classmate Martial Simard on shakuhachi, Midnight Taiko Drums, the Minyo Dancers of Lethbridge and a koto performance featuring Mizue Asai-Kaufmann and Kaori Akiyama. Closing this diverse cultural and entertainment program will be the anime and cosplay band Anything Goes.

There will also be a couple of Japanese martial arts demonstrations. Seiichi Yamashiro-sensei and Frank Prystupa-sensei from the Karate Alberta Association will do a demonstration, while Dave Rathnow-sensei of Shin Ken Kai Nobara dojo will do an Iaido demonstration. 

This is the first year that there will be a J-pop and Anime Talent Show. This will feature singers from throughout Alberta.

My role has varied with the Calgary Omatsuri. The first year, I went as a normal attendee. Last year, I was on the entertainment committee, helping with the sound set-up and conscripting recruiting volunteers. This year, the entertainment chair, Kathleen Irulanne Boucher-san has asked me to interview the entertainers, collecting audio/visual footage of the Calgary Omasuri. 私は楽しみにしています! Stay tuned for interviews and my review of this Calgary cultural festival here! じゃあまたね!