Taiko Cases

Hi Edubloggers,

Photo Credit: carlton.colter Flickr via Compfight cc

Today I will talk about cases to hold Taiko Drums. Because skins tightened change pitch a lot, you need to keep it in a case to deter it from nature.

Firstly, these cases helps to carry the taiko more easily in safe. Also, it prevents from the damage like scratch. However, storing taiko in a case for a long time is not recommended. It may cause mold on the heads and crack in the body. To avoid such damage, you should take the taiko out of the case and leave it in the fresh air regularly.

-Note: As well as a case, a blanket protects taiko from dusts and scratch. The one thing is that blankets absorb water which is not good for the head, so I don’t recommend it,

Finally, I will talk about how to carry the Taiko.

It normally has 2 iron handles (kan) at each side of the body. Large taiko should be carried by 2-3 people using them. DO NOT DRAG A DRUM ON THE FLOOR!!!! A taiko may damage the head of taiko and rolling a taiko may damage the body. Usually, taiko case has handles and it’s easy to carry a taiko more easily in safe. A torn head is a pain to reskin.

 

Taiko Maintenence

Dear Edubloggers,

Today I will talk about how to maintain your Taiko drum. These things cost thousands of dollars and it is a honor to own one made of a hollowed our tree. Artisans spend a lot of time sanding, shining, and skinning the Taiko so here are some tips.

– The Best place to store taiko is well-ventilated and dry place. Moister packs should be put into it to avoid moisture if the taiko is stored in a case. Besides, please be aware of mice and termites. On the other hand, worst place is humid, extremely hot or cold place. Please store it in a cool, dark place to avoid dry Taiko skin

Photo Credit: SteamDave Flickr via Compfight cc

– What if it is wet: First, please wipe the wet taiko with a dry towel, and then, leave it in the shade to dry. If the head is too wet and soft obviously, more time is needed to dry it.

– What if there is mold on the drum?: To remove mold on the taiko head, rub with a small-grit sandpaper (from 800 to 1200).  Never use detergent and bleach, which will shorten the lifespan of the head. Please avoid warm and humid storage not to get mold.

 

Flaws Taiko Players Have To Suffer Part 1

GHi people,

Today, I will talk about a few things that Taiko Drummers or broadly all drummers have to suffer. Things range from blisters and self care to actual equipment. You see even though drumming was discovered as early as the Stone Age, there are still a lot of problems.

1. Blisters

Photo Credit: srsldy Flickr via Compfight cc

One thing that deters us from drumming hard for a duration of time are annoying blisters. If you don’t know the science between blisters, they happen when skin rubs against something causing friction. In order to prevent further irritating the skin, either water or plasma floods underneath the skin to protect it. That is not a problem, but when it breaks or pops it causes pain and stinging since the new skin is exposed. The best thing to do in order to prevent the new skin to peal, is to put a bandaid or tape on it or even before you start playing. Another thing you can do is use exercising gloves since they cover the area that is most sensitive.

2. Transportation of equipment

Another problem is transporting equipment.

-Imagine this, your friend asks you to do a Taiko gig and you have to transport all your equipment.

Now that isn’t a problem if the drums weren’t so heavy. A drum that has a diameter of 1 foot and 3 inches on Taiko Center of Kyoto can weigh about 30 pounds. Now some groups use drums of a bigger diameter, so poor taiko groups.

Some groups use carts to carry their drums, but if it is a long distance from your loading zone, that’s a problem.

3. Finding places to practice

I’ll explain this as easily as I can. Taiko drums are loud! This means that there will always be a person complaining when you play that you are too loud and it is irritating. Something you can do is ask people if you can use their space to practice or instal sound blocking foam which works pretty well.

Stick around for part 2

Photo Credit: carlton.colter Flickr via Compfight cc

Flaws Taiko Players Have To Suffer Part 2

Hi edubloggers,

 

Welcome back to part two for problem Taiko drummers need to face. Last time we talked about self care, lugging gear around, and it just being so darn loud. Well here are three more ways it can be a pain.

4. Maintenance: I will try to make another post about Taiko drum maintenance later, but because they are made of natural items rather than more synthetic material like typical western drum sets, they will crack, tear, scratch, and the pitch will change because of temperature. You need to find the right time to put a drum in a case. If you leave it in all the time, it will start to grow mold on the skin, but if you leave it out in humid or muggy areas, the skin will get wet and cave in which isn’t good, so it is like caring for a baby; you need to dedicate a lot of time to it.

Photo Credit: MKPicsography Flickr via Compfight cc

5. People say it is not a actual art

Another complaint is that because Taiko Pioneer Daiihachi Oguchi created Kumi Daiko with a heavy emphasis on Jazz and Latin American drumming, it makes it feel more Americanized. Since they use the Shime Daiko as like a snare, a Chudaiko as a Tom Tom, and the low tuned Odaiko as bass drums, it is like a melting pot of different cultures.

So the argument is that it isn’t a actual art since it has been mended in many times, it isn’t authentic taiko. My argument however is may not be truly authentic, there are still Taiko pieces from many centuries ago that are still being shared to this day so it isn’t completely lost. Also, it has built such a tightly knit community, making it a way of community.

6. Costly equipment and global warming complaints

A big problem for starting a new Taiko group is buying new drums and  bachi. You can buy artisan material at Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten for a few grand, but people are always on a budget, so you need to start many fundraisers to get good drums which you need to dedicate a lot of time to.

Anyway do you play a instrument? What problems do you have with your instruments? Comment below!