Transcript
Chapter 1
Levels of Taiko Each group around the world has a different concept of Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced level taiko ability, and any or all of these concepts fit with any given situation. Therefore, this guide is written not as a universal guide, but as a primer for those wishing to study with Wadaiko Artist Art Lee in Japan. 1. Beginner Level It is an almost universal notion that when starting as a beginner, a person begins from nothing, or emptiness. No prior learning has taken place. The only prior experience in taiko will have been to see a performance. As beginners will essentially start with an empty slate, it is usually easier for beginner to progress to intermediate level than it is for intermediate to progress to advanced level. However, the points for advancing to intermediate are many. It is very important not to try to skip ahead to what so many beginners consider the “cool taiko tricks” like spinning bachi, jumping and body twirling, etc. Without the proper guidance in body movement and form, such shortcuts are almost certain to cause minor to severe damage to muscles and ligaments. Beginner to Intermediate level takes approximately three years of at least three to four practice sessions per week. During this time, although main focus is on learning and urakata, beginners are encouraged to perform lightly once they have learned any pieces deemed ready for performance. Uchikomi (long repetition of simple rhythms) is paramount. The following is a list of necessary points to master for a beginner to progress to intermediate level: • Yokojime - Two person shimedaiko tying. • Tatejime - One person assembling and tuning shimedaiko. • Strong timing ability in all of the major backbeats including Motoji, Mitsuuchi, Ohayashi, and Matsuri. Competent ability to understand how to transpose simple rhythms between each of these backbeats. • Strong ability to count in 4/4 and 3/4 time. • Basic timing - Keeping on time with any new piece learned, practiced and performed. • Ability to sustain a strong and clean roll at 150bpm (both accented and unaccented). • Strong knowledge of all traditional pieces in Tokara repertoire (Buchiawase Daiko, Miyake Daiko, Chichibu Yatai Bayashi, Tonbane Daiko*, Isami Goma*, Hiryu Sandan Gaeshi*) and Tokaraʼs original piece “Hatou no Hibiki.” • Basic competence in soloing. • Advanced ability in backstage staff duties (equipment setup/tenkan/break-down). • Intermediate ability in front-of-house staff duties.
2. Intermediate Level The intermediate level is often a very confusing time. Taiko practitioners will notice that they may have quickly excelled in some areas where other areas develop much more slowly. They may also find it much more of a difficult time to progress than at the beginner level...both in terms of personal ability and individual dedication to continue practicing at the same level of intensity and consistency. However, the body will have strengthened considerably. Muscles will not ache as much after basic practices and uchikomi. Concentration on smaller details during movement will be easier. Intermediate to Advanced level takes approximately three years of at least three to four practice sessions per week. Now is a good time to begin self-exploration. Allow yourself to make mistakes during ad-lib soloing to find your strengths to built upon, and weaknesses to strengthen. Intermediate players may be ready to join the group as members, though they should understand that this not at all a “graduation” to the stage, but rather it is an “admission” to begin full study upon the stage as well as in the dojo. After some time as an intermediate, it is also good to start limited teaching of children and/or beginners under the guide of the leader. While this will also be good for your group, this teaching experience will also reinforce what you learned as a beginner. The following is a list of necessary points to master for intermediate to progress to advanced level: • Knowledge of bringing different sounds from one drum. • Ability to play drills and pieces both right-handed and left-handed. • Ability to sustain a strong and clean roll at 185bpm (both accented and unaccented). • Ability to quickly learn and perform (one day to one week) simple pieces taught in 4/4 and 3/4 time. • Ability to lead most pieces as a backbeat player (including accenting, redirecting, etc). • Advanced knowledge of all traditional pieces in Tokara repertoire (Buchiawase Daiko, Miyake Daiko, Chichibu Yatai Bayashi, Tonbane Daiko*, Isami Goma*, Hiryu Sandan Gaeshi*) and Tokaraʼs original piece “Hatou no Hibiki.” • Strong knowledge of all other Tokara pieces. • Strong ability in soloing. Basic ability in ad-lib soloing. • Leadership ability in backstage staff duties. • Advanced ability in front-of-house staff duties.
3. Advanced Level Once you have entered the advanced level of taiko and continued for a while, you will begin to see a whole new world unfold before your eyes. You may begin to understand wadaiko as a symphony of drums...the high pitches, low pitches, full to eighth and sixteenth notes, seven sounds able to be produced from one drum. One backbeat able to be played in eight different ways. Effortlessly uniform movements of dance and martial arts mixing with intricate and beautiful rhythms. You may begin to see this world at the same time that you come to the most difficult part of your taiko journey. Many people become satisfied with their level of taiko before reaching this level, and never progress to the advanced level. It is well into this advanced level when you can see a new world of taiko, but will not yet be able to enter it easily. Many mistakes will be made, but it is important to recognize each mistake as one step closer to entering the long-sought gates of the fantastic world of taiko. Remember, although some differences between an intermediate and advanced player is hardly recognizable by someone who has little to no knowledge of wadaiko, it is recognizable by you and many who play most types of percussive instruments well. The challenge is to keep learning and not become satisfied with your current level. Advanced players should be able teach beginner classes unsupervised. It is also good to start as full assistants in short and long workshops. The following is a list of recommended points to master for advanced to progress to professional level: • Ability to sustain a strong and clean roll at 200bpm (both accented and unaccented). • Strong ability to play drills and pieces both right-handed and left-handed. • Strong ability to quickly learn and perform (one day to one week) almost any piece taught in 4/4, 3/4 and 6/8 time. • Expert ability to lead any piece as a backbeat player (including accenting, redirecting, etc). • Expert knowledge of all pieces in Tokara repertoire. • Strong ability in any type of soloing (both written and ad-lib). • Leadership ability in all staff duties.
4. Professional Level There are many people who consider “professional taiko player and/or teacher” to simply mean “receiving payment for playing or teaching taiko.” However, the oldest meaning of being a professional is “a person who is expert or master at his or her profession.” Thereby, affirming the right to receive any kind of remuneration for expert instruction. In the case of a musician, and especially in the world of taiko, the professional performer and teacher is one who has had years of extensive training before undergoing taiko as a career. There are many professional taiko levels. For example, in some groups, many different styles are taught and performed extensively. In others, such as some Hachijo Daiko Hozonkai groups, soloing in one particular style is most important and rehearsed exhaustively. In most general cases, properly becoming a taiko professional means that you have: • Studied taiko extensively under one or more teachers over several years. • Received permission from your main teacher to continue study on your own. • Received permission from your main teacher to begin taiko as a profession. Also, remember that there is still much more to learn even after becoming professional. There are many styles of taiko, methods of learning and teaching, etc. The more you learn, the better an ambassador of the world of wadaiko you will become.
