VIDEO DEMO COMING SOON!
Welcome to TGIF!
Focus: Timing, Right/Left Balance
Watch for:
1. Pay attention to the path your sticks take to the drum–are both sticks making identical vertical lines? If either hand strikes with an angled line, focus on correcting this as you practice the following drill.
2. Listen the sound as you strike the drum. Are the two hands equal in volume and tone?
Today’s drill is basic, but effective in increasing speed and encouraging balance between the left and right hand. The kuchi shoga is simple:
DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON
Once you’ve got that memorized (no problem, right?), let’s talk about hands. First, play the line alternating right and left hands:
R L R L R L R L
Next, repeat with double strokes:
R R L L R R L L
If you don’t have a metronome there are numerous online sources. I tend to use this one if practicing at home. You can also download a light metronome if hearing it over your taiko is a problem. Using a metronome will help you realize if you have tendencies to change tempo as you play.
Practice first at a speed that’s comfortable for you, 15 minutes total. Practice this drill every day, increasing speed regularly, and you’ll be ready for the next drill in 7 quick days!
Comment or email if you have questions.
Carrie
Extension: It is essential to practice with your weak hand up to twice as much as you do with your strong hand. I’m right-handed, so for this drill I will practice starting with the right the first 5 minutes and follow it by 10 minutes starting with the left. This helps to feel comfortable with the downbeat on either hand.
Another way to do this is simply by alternating repeatedly throughout the drill:
R L R L R L R L
R R L L R R L L
L R L R L R L R
L L R R L L R R
L R L R L R L R
L L R R L L R R