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Quick taiko follow-up
Mar. 16th, 2020 11:28 amI found a couple videos on YouTube that I think show some of the interesting aspects of taiko shows. Sadly, the effect you get from a video through computer speakers or even headphones doesn't replicate the bodily experience of being at one of these shows, which is (for me) the best part. But to give you an idea anyway:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X35NEKkWtNo
This is a video taken from the "Passion" show I saw and gives you a feel for the ensemble nature of the piece. It starts off with drummers in a circle, carrying lanterns and playing drums along with a central flute. The pace picks up and there's a lot of movement throughout the next few minutes. Then at about 5:30 the video cuts to a different piece, also ensemble, with five of the main performers doing a seated power lead while four others provide fill and counterpoint with smaller drums. The performers are various dressed with hair in everything from mohawk to dreads to loose.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7HL5wYqAbU
Contrasting, here is Kodo doing their piece titled "O-Daiko" which was my introduction to the larger drums in person. I think I've seen them do this piece three times live and it's a thrill every time. Kodo's pieces are much more composition-like and if you watch through this video you'll get to see many different styles of playing the same drum. The sound varies on the strength of the hit, of course, but also on where you hit, and other things the drummer can do such as hitting with the flat of the stick rather than the tip. At several points in the video you get an overhead shot so you can see each of the three drummers using different styles to create the ensemble sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X35NEKkWtNo
This is a video taken from the "Passion" show I saw and gives you a feel for the ensemble nature of the piece. It starts off with drummers in a circle, carrying lanterns and playing drums along with a central flute. The pace picks up and there's a lot of movement throughout the next few minutes. Then at about 5:30 the video cuts to a different piece, also ensemble, with five of the main performers doing a seated power lead while four others provide fill and counterpoint with smaller drums. The performers are various dressed with hair in everything from mohawk to dreads to loose.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7HL5wYqAbU
Contrasting, here is Kodo doing their piece titled "O-Daiko" which was my introduction to the larger drums in person. I think I've seen them do this piece three times live and it's a thrill every time. Kodo's pieces are much more composition-like and if you watch through this video you'll get to see many different styles of playing the same drum. The sound varies on the strength of the hit, of course, but also on where you hit, and other things the drummer can do such as hitting with the flat of the stick rather than the tip. At several points in the video you get an overhead shot so you can see each of the three drummers using different styles to create the ensemble sound.
