TGIF, Part 21 (taiko drills)
Okay, let’s put the balance practice to a bit of a test!
Focus: Balance,Timing
Watch for:
1. Don’t lose the down beat; try to hear how the two rhythms fit together.
2. Relax. See if your body/mind has blurred that line between right and left–both hands are equal in speed and power as they hit the drum!
Okay, here we go. Red means Right and Black means Left. “SU” means rest.
Please check the tips and videos of TGIF 13 if you need a “don tsu ku” review!
| don | tsu | ku | |
| don | tsu | ku | |
| don | tsu | ku | |
| don | tsu | ku | |
| su | ko | do | ko |
| su | ko | do | ko |
| su | ko | do | ko |
| su | ko | do | ko |
Find a parter and layer the two patterns. A large part of playing kumi-daiko is listening to and connecting with other players. Use this drill to practice that! One person starts with “don tsu ku”, while the other person starts with “su ko do ko”. Switch patterns every 4 times.
If you’re practicing alone and need an MP3 of the pattern to get the layering practice, just email me the speed you’re working at and I’ll send you a file.
Extension
So, you’ve been balancing out your strong and weak hands? Give it a test here–reverse the right and left hands to the pattern, as described above.
Gambatte-yo!