3728 SE 34th Avenue
Portland, OR 97202
Matsuri Daiko form and concept workshop for members of Portland Taiko. (Part 1 of 2-part workshop series)
Introductions: name, why naname?
Naname-centric warmup
- arms
- torso
- legs
- core
Copycat drum/air warmup
Fundamentals
- grip: letting the bachi move freely removes the brain's fear of "kickback"
- elbow: toward taiko, with all the body weirdness that requires
- path of strike: slight dogleg out to drum
- stance: whatever is required to achieve the above
-- variable 1: angle of feet in relation to drum
-- variable 2: distance from drum; the more the better, until the butt sticks out
-- variable 3: "pi angle"; with arms as radius, where on the circle one stands
Where the big strike applies: "don" of otsuri
Naname choreo demo
Closing
Great time with a great group. Our approach to fundamentals is similar. Mood of group is respectful and a bit reserved. "Any questions?" is a less effective prompt than, "What elements of the strike so far are the same in naname and beta?"