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i love collecting cds of tribal drumming. .
whatever kind of tribe it comes from-- african, australian aboriginal, american indian, hawaiian, or filipino, i love them all. listening to the drums gives me a sense of rootedness and groundedness. the primal beats connect me to a deeper aspect of myself; it connects with people of different cultures; and it connects me with mother earth.
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i'm actually a frustrated drummer. despite having attended drum circles here and there, i haven't really developed the skills of expert drumming. the most i can do is teach some elementary hand drumming rhythms to participants in my growth groups. it usually is an enjoyable experience for the participants..
when i received the invitation to attend an introductory workshop on japanese taiko drumming, i was all excited! the word "taiko" means "big fat drums," as in "humongously obese" drums. taiko drums were once used in the battlefields of japan to scare away the enemies. the sounds produced were so deafening that they were reputedly heard across the battlefield! now here was my chance to be a brave warrior and beat the hell out of those sumo-sized drums!
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and so what was taiko drumming like?
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let me just tell you that it was a "whole-being experience!" the ecstacy of the experience is in giving all of yourself-- "wasting" yourself as you beat the drum. and the reward you get is the beat that comes back to you in the same intensity with which you produced it. taiko drumming teaches you to consume yourself in the act of pounding the drums. there is no holding back in taiko drumming!
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i always wondered why taiko drummers wore only loincloth as they did their performances, and now i know. taiko drummers get profusely drenched in their own sweat! they urgently need to hydrate themselves with gallons of water to gain back the fluids lost!
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three days after the workshop, my body still aches. i am still ecstatic though from all the pounding i did. truly, it was a one-of-a kind experience!
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and so what was taiko drumming like? .
let me just tell you that it was a "whole-being experience!" the ecstacy of the experience is in giving all of yourself-- "wasting" yourself as you beat the drum. and the reward you get is the beat that comes back to you in the same intensity with which you produced it. taiko drumming teaches you to consume yourself in the act of pounding the drums. there is no holding back in taiko drumming!
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i always wondered why taiko drummers wore only loincloth as they did their performances, and now i know. taiko drummers get profusely drenched in their own sweat! they urgently need to hydrate themselves with gallons of water to gain back the fluids lost!.
three days after the workshop, my body still aches. i am still ecstatic though from all the pounding i did. truly, it was a one-of-a kind experience!
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Your blog post is the only post about taiko drumming in the Philippines. Do they have any plans to have the classes again? I would love to learn how to play them!
ReplyDeleteHi Randy. Would you happen to have their contact number? Im also interested in trying such therapy. Many thanks.
ReplyDeleteBryan Marqueses
0927.7921423
bjmarqueses@yahoo.com
I practiced taiko when I lived in Japan and would like to continue it in Manila. Would love to be in touch!
ReplyDeleteHI I would like to ask if that Taiko class is available until now, but if not I would like to ask their contact. Thank you. Hope for your kind reply.
ReplyDeleteHi Randy, I am Annie from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Manila. I would like to make an inquiry regarding taiko drummers in Manila. We are looking for a taiko drummer who can participate in an event this April. Kindly email us at ncca_iao@yahoo.com as soon as you get this. Salamat.
ReplyDeleteHi! How can I get in touch with the taiko drummers? Please do share their contact details? Thanks, JD (borabum@yahoo.com)
ReplyDeleteHI! Would like to ask on how to join taiko? I'm interested to learn and join this group. contact me here:
ReplyDeletedejesus_cp@outlook.com
looking forward to this
Hi! How can we contact the taiko drum performers? We'd like to book them to participate in our event. Please contact me if you happen to still have their contact number. charmss18@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank You!
There is this pinoy pride guy that we thought was a master but turned out he actually does taimo drumming and is nowhere near authentic Japanese ancient drum in MNL. Was wondering why would he have a batman sticker on his drum made of garbage can and some marital art combination. Also has batman tatoo on arm..easy to spot something was wrong thinking about it now after reading your blog..
ReplyDeleteAlso interested in learning taiko!
ReplyDeleteAlso interested. For my son, actually. We're homeschooling and he's not very keen with our music lessons but is a fan of taiko. Kindly update me of any related events. Thanks.
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ReplyDeleteHi, do you have contact details of taiko drummers based here in the Philippines? I hope someone can help me on this. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi there. I gained interest in Taiko lessons here in MNL because of Drum Tao. I'm really amazed beyond words and I guess every spectators who witnessed or will witness their show can sympathized. Can't find any lessons here in MNL not even in the Japan Cultural Center of the Philippines. The Korean Cultural Center of the Philippines offer classes for some traditional Korean music instruments. Sad that JCCP doesn't have that. Would really appreciate if you can share the info about this Taiko lessons. Would really love to learn. Thinking of buying even the smallest kind of taiko but it still very expensive. You can shoot me an email at littlegirlstudy@gmail.com
ReplyDelete