NATC 2025 Phoenix

Improvisation is pure magic! Creating sounds out of nothing that fit perfectly and complement the sounds of others, all to make something totally unique. It lets us jam with musicians we've never played with before, like having a spontaneous conversation. And it's insanely fun!
In this workshop, we’ll dive into exercises that get your brain firing on all cylinders to create quickly and respond in the moment. You’ll learn how to solo over other people’s sounds, how to be a solid foundation for others to build on, and how to complement the music purely based on your instincts. Get ready to let loose and have a blast!

Prerequisite/What to bring: - Bachi
- Any personal instrument you want to add to the mix.
- Courage to make mistakes.

About the Exadon Workshops: Connect Through Rhythm
These two-hour workshops offer an immersive and inclusive experience that anyone can enjoy. Through a variety of activities, participants will deepen their understanding of one another while exploring the power of taiko drumming.

The goal is to create a harmonious sound by actively listening and working together. By fostering cooperation and awareness, participants will rediscover essential elements of taiko performance—including listening, expression, and posture.

Beyond performance, these workshops offer insight into the broader potential of taiko. Taiko as a community builder. Taiko as a means of connection. Whether on stage or in everyday life, the rhythmic energy of taiko can inspire new ways to engage with others.
Come experience it for yourself!

Who Is It For?
● Taiko players and leaders looking to contribute to their community through drumming.
● Anyone who wants to experience a welcoming and inclusive taiko workshop.
● Those seeking to rediscover the essential elements of taiko performance.

This is a special workshop being offered by visiting artists from Hiroshima, Japan, who have an ongoing relationship with taiko groups in the Phoenix area. This is part of a series of workshops being offered by groups that have deep connections to taiko in Phoenix through relationships with Esther Vandecar, who studied with these groups in Japan and become a pioneer of the taiko community in Phoenix.

Hiroshima Hozonkai will share music from their region and their approach to taiko.

"Kachidoki/Victory" is one of many compositions by Hatanaka Kenzo and is a cornerstone of the Fushicho Daiko Dojo. This delightful, 4 part song is sure to become a staple of your dojo's repertoire as well! Including the rhythms indigenous to the Ehime Prefecture/Matsuyama area of Shikoku, "Kachidoki" incorporates chu daiko, shime, odaiko and chappa parts to create dynamic and complex rhythms that interplay within the song, demanding close listening skills and collaboration. Kachidoki can be played by as little as 3 performers and up to 40+ (performances in Japan can include 80+). This three workshop series will cover: History and significance of the song and area, backbeat and groove, rhythms, accents, and dynamics.

All 4 parts will be taught
Friday: History, backbeat, dynamics, Chu Daiko
Saturday: Chu finish and Odaiko, intro Shime
Monday: shime + chappa, review all and play all parts together, switch parts.

The goal: confidence in remembering, applying knowledge and performing parts so you are ready to take it back to your dojo and share it!

Included: written music (western notation), tutorial videos.

Eileen Morgan has taught this song to students throughout Arizona for over 25 years, in addition to performances and continuing study in Matsuyama, Japan with students and colleagues of Hatanaka Kenzo.

Prerequisites:
Intermediate - advanced skills and knowledge: dynamics/accents, confident kata, shime, chu and odaiko
experience.
Bachi: shime (maple, tappered)
Chu: hard maple or Japanese white oak
Odaiko: hard maple (anything softer will dent because of fuchi strikes). Eileen will have a few sets to
borrow or purchase.