NATC 2025 Phoenix

Whether you’re new to soloing and don’t know where to start, struggling to come up with new ideas, or just stuck playing the same solos over and over, this is the workshop for you! We’ll ease into improvisation with simple drills, then cover different aspects of improv as it pertains to taiko and show you a world of possibilities to explore! We’ll also cover best practices for crafting a solo using the tools we learned in this workshop. This workshop is best for those with at least a little bit of soloing experience, but all are welcome!

Prerequisite/What to bring: 1 pair regular bachi

We improvise daily. We make plans. Things come up. We make adjustments or change plans.

As children "playing" we did not need a workshop. If my friend held up the tea pot, I knew instinctively to hold up the tea cup and sip some imaginary tea, or when a friend held up a stick it may change into a sword and I would react by finding my own stick (sword) or the stick morphed into a rifle and we'd shoot and die. Didn't need a workshop to know how to die.

Improvising is reaction to action (or no action, which is "action"). Ideas are built on ideas. Inspiration comes from inspiration.

What do you see and hear? How do you react? What are YOU doing? AND are you listening? Seeing? Are you aware of what is happening and what choices and possibilities you have? No reaction is okay too, but for a conscious reason to perhaps create space or space for others to add to or express. We can also react predictably or unpredictably (throw a curve ball) to see or hear the reaction. These reactions could inspire new ideas, ways, or paths to explore.

What is the total sound? We can improvise right away without training or time and energy spent, but the more one practices improvising, the better it gets and "vocabulary" is developed with the practice of skill as well as improvising to answer or react with some weight or experience.

This workshop is an introduction to improvisation for taiko. Exercises in counting, listening, and creativity will be introduced. Soloing is only one form of improvising. We hope to delve deeper in improvising involving several drummers to collectively come up creatively with something together.

Participants may take whatever they want from the workshop.

One DOES NOT NEED TO INCUDE IMPROVISATION OR SOLING IN PERFORMANCES, but practicing improvisation DOES IMPROVE ONE'S MUSICIANSHIP and AWARENESS and eventually will improve presentation or performance. Improvisation also may keep things fresh or refreshed and challenging.

PRCACTICING IMPROVISING MAY CREATE NEW IDEAS OR COMPOSITIONS.

A good understanding of taiko basics may be good for this workshop, but not required.

Prerequisite/What to bring: An improvisation handout will be required for each participant.

I was taught that spirit is the most important aspect of taiko.
Ok...but...what is taiko spirit!?
This workshop will start with a very brief discussion of different facets of the concept of spirit, including aspects of Shinto and Buddhism and the historical context in which they apply to the idea of taiko spirit and how they are relevant but not absolutely required in practice. We'll move on to exercises to connect with and further develop aspects of spirit and stage presence, focusing on simple, practical ways to create more impactful performances and connect with the audiences that come to see us.

Prerequisite/What to bring: Intermediate to advanced technical playing skill preferred. Bachi required and any other instruments welcome.