Master Class for La Jolla Taiko

Syllabus

- welcome

- runthrough

- "big ideas"
-- composition structure
--- arrangement: What are the things that could be "discovered" by the performers over the course of the individual sections and the piece?
--- orchestration: use of individuals / pairs
-- choreography
--- two drums as musically distinct (tone and dynamics)
--- utilizing two different stances?
-- strike power hierarchy: rim, alternating hits, single R, RL, LR

- "details"
-- solos should be distinct.  perhaps "structures" provided by composer: use of space, use of rim, rhythm vs movement, etc
-- big R strikes: more elbow bend and "forward" direction of bachi
-- how to make pointing look okay?: focus on strike, purpose, independence, bachi lag
-- shekere technique

- thoughts on creating solos
-- using rim for inspiration (rebounding perpendicular, at angle, tangentially)
-- start with something, then fix what you don't like (it never feels like I've found something "amazing")
-- utilize the two axes of the two drums, the prep positions for those strikes, and move in-between
-- individuals need time with their instruments and the mirror (5 min every practice?)