Taiko Skin

Taiko in Japan? Taiko in the US? What's the difference? Is taiko in Japan as strict as they say? Isaku and I talk about how taiko groups in the two countries approach taiko. They're pretty different, and if you're going from one to the other, it might be a good idea to know what you're in for. We also give a few suggestions on how to avoid being too rude when you first meet another group.Tip of the MonthWant to promote yourself? Make a 'Promo Box' to make your life easier. Here's the link on how to do that:http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/2009/07/promo-box-on-your-desktop/Video of the Month *(I know I said 'Video of the Week' in the episode.. sorry!)Here's On Ensemble with their piece, 'After Rain'. Great vid, fun listen, check it out: Here's the link if you need it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiqBIuM-1DIHere's this month's podcast:audioPlayer( "EP8JUS", "http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10907961/TaikoSkinPodcast/japanamerica.mp3", "Taiko in Japan vs America") TaikoSkin in the iTunes StoreYou can find the T

In this edition, we're taking a look at taiko group culture- the 'atmospheres' and 'funiki' of a group. Some are more 'Japanese' than others, but what does that mean? We talk about the seemingly arcane social hierarchies that exist in Japan, and how these are reflected in a place like a taiko group. Isaku and I talk about our personal experiences in taiko groups, and the senpai/kohai relationships that have existed there. Tip of the MonthWant to get better? Then take a video of yourself practicing and playing. We've all done it, but we tend to get lazy about it sometimes. In many ways it can be better than a mirror. If you find yourself in a rut, it might just be the key to get you over the hurdle. And an extra tip from Isaku... don't get a camera with a hard-disk- all that drumming can shake your camera to death. Video of the Month Here is some incredible drumming from Neal Smith, jazz drummer and professor at the Berklee School of Music. Watch Prof. Smith as he 'solos in the context of the tu

We all want to be the best. The best player, the best group. And we compare ourselves to others in order to gauge where we stand. And this leads to competition, sometimes heated, sometimes passive. But is this healthy for the group? Does it lead to players getting better?And for anyone interested in what life is like at Kodo, we have a guest speaker, Joe Small, talk about his apprenticeship there. Check it out, its worth the listen.Tip of the MonthDon't be a chameleon, don't be superficial, don't be disconnected, biased or overly formal. And don't over-network. The Harvard Business Review provides an excellent article, and a four-step process to better networking. It isn't about the numbers, it's about having a few, close and important connections in the right place. Here's the link the article (you'll have to register to read it all, but it's well worth it):http://hbr.org/2011/07/managing-yourself-a-smarter-way-to-network/ar/1Video of the MonthThis guy is awesome. Don't know where it was recorded, or who the

Starting a taiko group? Needless to say, it isn't easy, but it's probably not as hard as you think either. We'll be giving a few tips and stories about starting a group over the course of a few episodes. In this first episode, we talk about the importance of finding someone to work with in getting your group going. We'd love to hear your experiences with your taiko group. Please do share them with us at taikoskinpodacast@gmail.com, or leave us a comment below.  Tip of the MonthReply to emails! And don't leave it aside for too long. Especially if you're in charge of your taiko groups' account. Your emails can make or break the chance of getting a gig. Video of the Month And here's the link if you need it: Amanojaku "Soul Beat" DVD Trailer For anyone starting/running a taiko group, here's a few links that may help out:  -Getting Taiko Gigs Podcast-Taiko Networking Podcast-5 Ways to Get More Performance OffersClick play below to hear the podcast, and if you're looking for our back episodes,

What is life like as a professional taiko drummer? What are the necessary skills, and what do you need to be ready for? We talk about some of our personal experiences of drumming as a full-time job.Our guest, Joe Small also talks about his experiences in the professional taiko group, Kodo. It's an eye-opening talk about what it's really like in the world of an apprentice.And here's a link to our first TaikoSkin Podcast episode, where we first started talking about professional taiko. Quality's low, but check it out. Tip of the MonthLearn a different musical instrument, besides taiko. And the earlier you start, the better.Video of the Month Stefon Harris talks about how actions are perceived as mistakes only because we don't react to them appropriately.Feedback We recently received an email about some problems with the player, specifically when used with Chrome. We're working on a solution, but for now, you can listen to all the episodes from the iTunes store (for free of course): TaikoSkin

If money, time and language weren't an issue, I think most taiko players out there would seriously consider an opportunity to train in Japan. But is it really worth it? Or is it just a preconceived notion that going to Japan makes you better? We'll be talking about this and more in this Taiko Skin podcast episode.We also have Joe Small as a guest once again, to talk about life at Kodo, and the senpai-kohai relationship in Japan.Tip of the MonthMake a website and get your name out there.Step 1: Build a website (build one here)Step 2: Search engine optimization (add your site to a directory)Step 3: Drive traffic to your site (share your articles)Video of the Month Incredible talk and demonstration by deaf percussionist, Evelyn Glennie.Feedback Click play below, or go to iTunes for previous episodes:audioPlayer( "EP11TJ", "http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10907961/TaikoSkinPodcast/Training%20in%20Japan.mp3", "Taiko Training in Japan") TaikoSkin on iTunesWe are always looking for your feedback.

If you play a lot of taiko, or any other musical instrument for that matter, you may have considered the possibility of getting a formal education in music. It's a career enhancing move that many musicians take. In this TaikoSkin Podcast, we ask Isaku about his experiences at the Berklee School of Music and his reasons for going there.We'd love to hear your experiences too. Share them with us at  taikoskinpodacast@gmail.com, or leave us a comment below. Likewise, if you have any questions for Isaku about getting a musical education.Tip of the MonthMake yourself some business cards. It gives you credibility, and makes it far easier for people to contact you- which also means you'll be easier to ask for gigs.Video of the MonthAnd here's the link if you need it: Ondekoza (Taiko Drummers of Mt Fuji)Click play below to hear the podcast, and if you're looking for our back episodes, and all of Joe Small's bits about Kodo, you can find them all at the iTunes link below:  audioPlayer( "EP15FE", "http://dl.dr

Hope everyone has had a great 2012 so far, and that those resolutions are still keeping up. To kick start the new year, we'll be taking a break from our usual format, and instead Isaku and I will be talking about 3 things we learned in 2011, and 3 things we want to work on in 2012. We'd love to hear your new year resolutions too- we know you've got some. Do share them with us- who knows, it might help you keep them for longer!taikoskinpodcast@gmail.comClick play below for the podcast, and if you're looking for our back episodes you can find them all at the iTunes link below:  audioPlayer( "EP13NE", "http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10907961/TaikoSkinPodcast/New%20Years%20Podcast.mp3", "New Years Taiko") TaikoSkin on iTunesOnce again, best wishes for the new year, and we do hope to hear from you.Keep on drummin'.  Related articlesYou: Hayashi drums up a birthday performance (japantimes.co.jp)Morikami celebrates Japanese new year (pbpulse.com)

So you're starting a new taiko group- where do you get your drums? Where do you practice? Where do you find a teacher? And if there aren't any teachers, where can you learn? We offer some tips and resources for anyone considering starting a taiko group, or trying to establish some fresh direction for their new team.audioPlayer( "EP16STG", "http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10907961/TaikoSkinPodcast/Starting%20A%20Taiko%20Group%202.mp3", "Starting a Taiko Group 2") Tip of the MonthLearn some basic music theory. As Isaku explains, it can change the way you hear, perceive and play music, even for taiko players.  Video of the MonthI unfortunately lost track of the video that I mentioned in the episode, so I posted this instead. Why? Because Reggie Watts is a talent and a half. Trust me, this is the best thing you'll see today.FeedbackSend in your questions and comments to: taikoskinpodcast@gmail.com Here are some other taiko related resources you might find helpful:Taiko Information:Taiko Playing StylesWhy a

Do you ever just get sick and tired of taiko? Or of anything for that matter? You do it because you think you love it, and you've devoted a big part of your life to it. But at some point, it can just become too much. You don't enjoy it the same way you once did. You feel obligated to stick with it, but there's a part of you that just wants to walk away. This is a burnout, and we'll be talking about it in this episode of the TaikoSkin Podcast.audioPlayer( "EP17BRN", "http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10907961/TaikoSkinPodcast/Burnout.mp3", "Taiko Burnout") Tip of the MonthThrow away your bachi sticks! Sticks get old after a while, and though they can be fixed up, often times it's just better to get knew ones. Why? When they're damaged, they can hurt your drums. Video of the MonthThis month's video is found on the United Nations Website. It's a live recording of Ondekoza and a group of Japanese musicians performing at the UN Headquarters, as a part of the commemoration tour for the earthquake in Japan. This is

Thinking about making taiko your job? There are things to think about, decisions to make, finances to fix, before making the jump. Isaku Kageyama and I talk about these through the lens of our own experiences in this edition of the TaikoSkin Podcast.audioPlayer( "EP18PRP", "http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10907961/TaikoSkinPodcast/Pro%20Prep.mp3", "Before Going Pro") Tip of the MonthIf taiko is your job, find something other than taiko that will help you wind down and relax. As Isaku discusses, jobs can be stressful, even if its something you love to do, so it can be helpful to find others means of fun as well.Video of the MonthThis month's video is a brief talk by percussionist, Bill Summers, who discusses the importance of silence and slow tempos in music, and how they can be more difficult than playing fast, complicated pieces.  FeedbackSend in your questions and comments to: taikoskinpodcast@gmail.com Here are some other taiko related resources you might find helpful:Isaku's Homepage:http://www.isa

We talked about some of the cons of a job in taiko in the last episodes (here and here). In this episode, Isaku Kageyama and I talk about some of the positive experiences we've had in our experience with taiko drumming.audioPlayer( "EP19POP", "http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10907961/TaikoSkinPodcast/Taiko%20Pos.mp3", "The Pros of Taiko Job") Tip of the MonthHow to sound like Hayashi Eitetsu. Isaku gives a detailed breakdown of some of the characteristic grooves of Hayashi Eiitetsu. Check out his great blog post to master the grooves for yourself.Video of the MonthThis month's video features Bo-Sung Kim, demonstrating some changgo rhythms at the Global Music Academy in Berlin. FeedbackSend in your questions and comments to: taikoskinpodcast@gmail.com Here are some other taiko related resources you might find helpful:Isaku's Homepage:http://www.isakukageyama.com/ Taiko Information:Taiko Playing StylesWhy are Taiko Drums So Expensive?How to Play Taiko Drums5 Ways to Get Better at TaikoFinding and Le

If only I'd known that when I first started playing taiko. Isaku Kageyama and I talk about things that would have been helpful to know when we first started playing.audioPlayer( "EP20WWK", "http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10907961/TaikoSkinPodcast/WishedWeKnew.mp3", "Things We Wished We Knew") Tip of the MonthAre they famous? Has anyone ever heard of them? Don't let these questions affect you when exploring new taiko music. Try to cast out the preconceptions and you'll have a much better chance of making some interesting discoveries.Video of the MonthWe have two videos this month- the first is a feature of SF Taiko Dojo on ABC's "Profiles of Excellence", and the second is of Kenny Endo on on PBS Hawaii.FeedbackFeel free to send in your questions and comments to: taikoskinpodcast@gmail.com Here are some other taiko related resources you might find helpful:Isaku's Homepage:http://www.isakukageyama.com/ Taiko Information:Taiko Playing StylesWhy are Taiko Drums So Expensive?How to Play Taiko Drums5 Ways to

You wouldn't be playing taiko if you weren't getting something out of it. We'd love to hear your thoughts about how taiko has benefited you. Isaku Kageyama and I talk about how it's been a plus for us.audioPlayer( "EP21IMP", "http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10907961/TaikoSkinPodcast/Improve.mp3", "How Taiko Improves Our Lives") Tip of the MonthIt can be annoying to hear from someone else, but keep up (or get back with) the exercise! If you're looking to stick to a diet or exercise routine, nothing helps better than a partner. When one isn't available, a good app on your phone is almost is good.Video of the MonthA must-see video of a full concert by Michel Camilo, Giovanni Hidalgo & Anthony Jackson. Check out Giovanni Hidalgo's incredible percussion solos.FeedbackFeel free to send in your questions and comments to: taikoskinpodcast@gmail.com Isaku's Homepage:http://www.isakukageyama.com/TaikoSkin Podcast The TaikoSkin podcast covers a whole range of topics related to taiko- building drums, starting