NATC 2025 Phoenix

Good shime daiko technique will improve your technique on all sized taiko. This class will concentrate on the intricate shime daiko techniques and patterns found in the lively festival music of Edo Bayashi (Tokyo festival music). This technique is quite refined and has applications to all of your repertoire . Emphasis will be on timing, playing with precision, grip, sound, nori (groove), and relaxing.

Prerequisite/What to bring: Bring a pair of shime daiko made from Hiroki or similar soft wood. Ideally Edo Bayashi type shime bachi (made from hinoki, 12 and 5/8 inches long and 5/8 inches in diameter). It's fine If the bachi are slightly longer or made from a medium-soft wood.

Exercises promoting spontaneity, self expression, and creativity through rhythm, words and sounds will be explored. Small groups will be formed based on common interests to create a written piece (poetry/rap/story). The written works will become the basis for a taiko piece: recited and transformed into rhythmic patterns for taiko; juxtaposed within a taiko piece; or…?