09 (YM)

Notation

See Class 01 for detailed notation.

• 4 dashes (-) = #eau = 1 count
• 4 counts = 1 bar.
  Each count is seperated by a "/ ". Each bar is separated by starting on the next line or with brackets [ ].
• Hits are emphasized with typed #s and "e" "a" "u"
• Hit the #s (1, 2, 3, 4) and "a" with the right (R). Hit the "e" and "u" with the left (L).
• Kuchishoga
"g-" = L hits
"d-" = R hits

Groove and Rudiments

GROOVE 1

1-a- / 2-a- / 3-a- / 4-a- x4 (do da-)
1-a- / 2-a- / 3-a- / 4-a- x4 (de da-)
1--- / 2--- / 3--- / 4--- x4 (de only)
--a- / --a- / --a- / --a- x3 + silent Count 4 (da only)
All R hits

RUDIMENT 1

1--- / ---- / ---- / ----
---- / 2--- / ---- / ----
---- / ---- / 3--- / ----
---- / ---- / ---- / 4---
--a- / ---- / ---- / ----
---- / --a- / ---- / ----
---- / ---- / --a- / ----
---- / ---- / ---- / --a-
All don (R) hits

RUDIMENT 2

1-a- / 2-a- / 3-a- / 4-a-
do go hits; alternating hands (R-L- / R-L- ...)

RUDIMENT 3

1eau / 2eau / 3eau / 4eau
dogodogo hits; alternating hands (RLRL / RLRL ...)

RUDIMENT 4 (LEFTY)

--a- / --a- / --a- / --a-
--a- / --a- / --a- / 4---
don(R) hits on "a". go (L) hits on #s. The last 2 hits are godo (LR)

RUDIMENT 5

1e-- / ---- / 3e-- / ----
---- / 2e-- / ---- / 4e--
--au / --au / --au / --au
All dogo (RL--) hits

RUDIMENT 6

1a: 1--- / ---- / ---- / --a-
1u: 1--- / ---- / ---- / ---u
do (R) hits on 1s. Go (L) hits on "a" and "u"

Welcome

• Stretch
• name and "I love the texture of ____"
• aisatsu

Groove 1

BODY PERCUSSION TIMING DRILL

This drill is to help you really feel the down beat. Once you get the beat embedded in you, you'll be able find your way back into the piece if you get lost.

• Everyone plays "chest - clap" representing the groove.
• 1-a- / 2-a- / 3-a- / 4-a- = chest on #s, clap on "a"
• Count out loud "1eau / 2eau / 3eau / 4eau" while playing the body percussion
• Say kuchishoga of Groove 1 while playing the body percussion

GROUP A v GROUP B

• Everyone plays body percussion. Group A counts "1eau" while Group B says kuchishoga of Groove 1. Switch parts.
• Do the alternating group drill on the taiko.
• Do the drill on the other side of the taiko (left handed stance). You'll be standing on the right side of the taiko and your left hand becomes the dominant hand.
• Go back to the left side of the taiko and normally do the drill again.

Things to Remember

• Don't hit hard.
• With every hit, feel the resonance in the body of the taiko.
• You don't need a full extended hit for Groove 1. Use more of your thumb and pointer finger to snap the bachi for a hit.
• Doing drills on the opposite side of the taiko will heighten your awareness; you're basically relearning how to hit the taiko. Not only will this drill help you strengthen your left arm, it will help you notice bad habits quickly so you can correct them.

Rudiment 1

BODY PERCUSSION TIMING DRILL

• Everyone plays "chest - clap" representing the groove.
• Count out loud "1eau / 2eau / 3eau / 4eau" while playing the body percussion
• Say kuchishoga of Rudiment 1 while playing the body percussion

GROUP A v GROUP B

• Do the alternating group drill while everyone counts out loud ("1eau 2eau ....")
• Do the drill on the other side of the taiko, with a left handed stance. Do the drill once while counting out loud and another time without counting out loud.
• Go back to the left side of the taiko and normally do the drill again (no counting out loud).

Rudiment 5

BODY PERCUSSION TIMING DRILL

• Everyone plays "chest - clap" representing the groove.
• Count out loud "1eau / 2eau / 3eau / 4eau" while playing the body percussion
• Say kuchishoga of Rudiment 5 while playing the body percussion

BREATHING/ALIGNMENT DRILL

• Do the body percussion drill.
• To emphasis the down beats more: step on the "1"s, the first beat of every new bar. Once you get use to that, try stepping on all the down beats "1--- 2--- 3--- 4---" (RLRL).
• As an extra challenge: engage your core, expand the upper body and do a quick inhale on the "1"s.

GROUP A v GROUP B

• Group A plays ji pattern as Group B plays the 3rd bar of Rudiment 5 (--au)
• Switch parts. Keep looping this exercise until the teacher instructs the class to stop.
• Do the normal alternating group drill on the other side of the taiko, with a left handed stance.
• Go back to the left side of the taiko and normally do the drill again.

Things to Remember

• Don't draw your arms back laterally. It's more about going up and using gravity to create a good hit.
• Always utilize the space you have between the extended arm (in striking position) and the taiko.

Challenge Pattern

• The concept of creating your own challenge pattern
• Group practice with body percussion
• Call and response

ManMan's Challenge Pattern

1--- / ---- / 3e-- / ----
--au / --au / --au / --au
1--- / --a- / 3--- / ---u
1-a- / 2-a- / 3eau / 4eau

Closing

• Clean and aisatsu