NATC 2025 Phoenix

We taiko players need to be more sensitive!  While taiko is designed for raw power and volume, we play too loud for too long.  While kuchishoga is an amazing tool for learning, we've let it reduce our subtlety and tonal range.

Fortunately, we all possess a well of sensitivity that can guide our playing: our sense of touch. We can train our musicality with the emotional wisdom in our bodies. This workshop maps our sense of touch onto the drum to answer questions like, "How loud?... for how long?... and what next?"

Prerequisites: Open to players of all levels. Musical curiosity required. Workshop will involve self-touch and optional touch of others' hands, arms, shoulders, and heads.

Learn to Work Your Body!
Have you ever been learning a taiko piece and there is a movement that seems easy, but you find your body keeps getting in the way? I know, I’ve been there!
Don’t let your body get in the way of the perfect arm swing. All of our bodies are put together uniquely, you just need to develop the tricks and techniques that will allow you to visually move the same as the rest of your group, in a way that is safe and effective for you.

In this workshop, we will be go over common taiko kata that give players the most trouble. I will work with you to find what works best for your body. We will learn a practice piece called, ‘Work your Body’ that you will be able to take back to your group!

Please Bring:
Chu daiko Bachi

Learn to Work Your Body!
Have you ever been learning a taiko piece and there is a movement that seems easy, but you find your body keeps getting in the way? I know, I’ve been there!
Don’t let your body get in the way of the perfect arm swing. All of our bodies are put together uniquely, you just need to develop the tricks and techniques that will allow you to visually move the same as the rest of your group, in a way that is safe and effective for you.

In this workshop, we will be go over common taiko kata that give players the most trouble. I will work with you to find what works best for your body. We will learn a practice piece called, ‘Work your Body’ that you will be able to take back to your group!

Please Bring: Chu daiko Bachi

We taiko players need to be more sensitive!  While taiko is designed for raw power and volume, we play too loud for too long.  While kuchishoga is an amazing tool for learning, we've let it reduce our subtlety and tonal range.

Fortunately, we all possess a well of sensitivity that can guide our playing: our sense of touch. We can train our musicality with the emotional wisdom in our bodies. This workshop maps our sense of touch onto the drum to answer questions like, "How loud?... for how long?... and what next?"

Prerequisites: Open to players of all levels. Musical curiosity required. Workshop will involve self-touch and optional touch of others' hands, arms, shoulders, and heads.

This workshop is designed to help participants understand how, when, and why people get injured when playing or doing taiko related activities and to give them the tools to prevent and address injuries.
The workshop will
- include a brief discussion about how and why injuries most commonly occur
- cover warm-up and various sticking and playing playing techniques
- include strategies to prevent acute and chronic (repetitive strain) injuries
- cover the most dangerous kata, styles, and situations likely to cause injury and how to mitigate the danger
- include principles of biomechanics and ergonomics as they relate to taiko and using taiko equipment
- include Q&A time to address individual concerns and issues

Prerequisite/What to bring: No prerequisite knowledge required but I'd sincerely appreciate participation by group and practice leaders

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.

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

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.