katsugi/shime bachi (preferably magnolia (hou) or other lighter wooods)
earplugs
Aisatsu
Stretch
Katsugi Fundamentals
Uchikomi Work: Tried to apply the feeling of gravity and weight into our hits. Imagine jumping up as arm pulls back and then when you drop the contact of bachi to drum head should occur at the same time when you land. Feeling the contraction of exhaling and using the whole body into the hit will lend us more power than trying to use our arm muscles alone. Should apply both to right and left hands. Also tried a new neutral position where the okedo is slightly turned to the right instead of head on to the audience to get a different feel and arm position.
Did a couple rounds of moving in the circle while playing our "one blueberry pie" drumming sequence. Focusing on moving around the room while playing jiuchi with both hand and controlling the okedo while we walk.
Big Movement Drill: We did a stepping pattern this week playing on the quarter note beat (or on every step) resting the okedo on our left knee and playing mostly with our right hand. We would step with the left to the center of the circle, then shift weight to right foot as we twist so the left foot is facing out, step on the left and then back to the right foot while twisting. Imagine "The Hokey Pokey" dance. We will also try this leading with our right foot next week. Wanted to experiment with other movement style with the okedo.
Striking Left hand on the back of the Okedo: In this style of drumming we have the luxury of being able to play on both sides of the okedo to do cross over type patterns. The goal is to keep the elbow in a position that is similar to our left handed strike position but by simply using our forearm to arc over and reach the opposite side without too much extra arm movement. The Okedo position is shifted to the front laying equally on both thighs. The wrist snap is a little tricky but its similar to the left handed strike on the front of the drum. I may have over complicated this strike during class, but let's start there. We had a couple of line to practice hitting the back side of the okedo while doing cross over patterns.
Clean Up
Aisatsu