NATC 2025 Phoenix

Hachijo Daiko is an improvisation-based Taiko style from the island of Hachijo. But learning to improvise is hard! Learn the basics of improvisation while playing Hachijo Daiko as we go through a set of exercises designed to help you warm up your improvisation muscles and be freely in the moment. These exercises can be taken home and used for other styles of Taiko as well.

Prerequisite Experience: Intermediate/Advanced
Please Bring: Hachijo / Chu Daiko bachi

This workshop offers participants an in-depth exploration of the Naname Style, focusing on the core techniques including grip, stance, and mechanics necessary for sound performances.

Participants can expect to learn practice methods to continue their development beyond the workshop, as well as repertoire that can be performed within their own taiko groups.

Open to all experience levels, this workshop is designed to support both beginners and experienced players seeking to refine their fundamental technique in Naname drumming.

Prerequisite/What to bring: Chu Bachi

‘Midare Uchi’ is a piece performed in the naname style, popularized by Sukeroku Daiko. This piece features solos based on Bon-daiko rhythms, a style of taiko that accompanies the music and dance at the Japanese Obon festival.

During this workshop, participants will receive instruction on the foundational elements of Bon-daiko, which includes playing a solid ‘ji’(base beat) and playing various fundamental Bon-daiko phrases. This workshop will present a simplified structure of Fred’s interpretation of a Midare Uchi solo and will introduce challenging naname choreography, emphasizing the modern and stylized interpretation of Bon-daiko within the context of Midare Uchi.

Prerequisite/What to bring: Intermediate/Advanced-level workshop. Participants must have naname experience.
Participants will need a pair of chu-daiko bachi.