August 19, 2009
The end (of summer) nears
Well, it’s just a little over a week (8 days, in fact) until the end of summer, officially signaled by the Music Department orientation meeting and reception. On one hand I’d like a little more time, given that I did a bunch of traveling that wasn’t really vacationing, but on the other hand I’m ready to get back to work. I don’t do “nothing” very well. Granted, I’m able to easily fill my time with video games, movies, and the like, but that becomes monotonous rather quickly. When I have something to do, on the other hand, time passes quickly, and I feel some sense of accomplishment. And I certainly have a lot to do in the upcoming months.
Not that I haven’t already gotten some stuff done. Little by little, I’ve been getting back into the swing of things, editing dissertation outlines, summer activities reports for grants, and the like. Plus, there’s a possible taiko-related project on the horizon that I may be able to talk about in the near future. Stay tuned for that.
Plus, I’ve also been busy injuring myself. Woke up last Friday with pain in my left shoulder, pain that didn’t go away and seemed to be getting worse. So, I went to the Pitt Student Health Center yesterday. The doctor there (who, in an odd coincidence, was the father of one of my brother’s classmates all throughout elementary, middle, and high school – go figure) did some preliminary tests and while he didn’t seem to think that it was too bad – just a minor strain – he recommended I see the orthopedic doctor that comes to the clinic every Wednesday. But, before that, I had to get some x-rays done, as that’s what the ortho likes to see. Not only did I get a doctor’s visit, my first in quite a while (at least a year, probably longer), but I got to go to the hospital too! And get an x-ray done, as a bonus! Joy!
Today rolled around, and I went to see the ortho. After some pushing and prodding (along with lifting, pulling, and the like), he diagnosed me with having “subacromial impingement” and “rotator cuff strain” in my left shoulder. He prescribed physical therapy, along with taking ibuprofen. Thus, beginning on Friday I’ll be doing physical therapy at UPMC. Luckily, my health insurance through Pitt covers it 100%, with no need for a copay or anything. It’s going to be a bit of an annoyance, but as long as I get better I’m not going to complain. After all, a healthy shoulder will be quite useful for playing taiko (and won’t hurt regarding other things, too, like washing my hair or putting on my shoes).
So, lots to look forward to in the next few months. School, taiko, physical therapy… the fun never stops!
August 12, 2009
NATC 2009 Videos
I’ve continued to edit down and post some of my videos from this past weekend to YouTube. And now, I’ve collected them all in one convenient playlist. Hover over the video box with your mouse, and arrows – along with small thumbnails representing links to the other movies – will allow you to navigate through the playlist.
Enjoy!
August 11, 2009
NATC 2009 videos
I have started to edit, re-encode, and upload to YouTube some of the videos I took this past weekend. The first, a special performance of Hiryu San Dan Gaeshi, is already finished. Be sure to check it out, and stay tuned for more!
August 9, 2009
NATC 2009
Well, the 2009 North American Taiko Conference has come and gone, and as I sit here in my hotel, I figured I’d take the time to write some reactions. Rather than writing an overview of everything that’s happened, however, I’m just going to touch on a few major things.
Living History
Walking around NATC, you can’t help but walk past any number of people that had a major impact on taiko in America. Of course, Tanaka-sensei was an overwhelming presence. At the same time, however, he was quite warm and inviting. As I and a newly-made friend (from Oberlin, curiously enough) passed him in the street on the way to a workshop, he asked us what workshop we were going to (a katsugi-okedo workshop taught by Ringtaro Tateishi, if you’re wondering :P). Then, he took the time to offer us a few tips about stretching and what muscles to watch out for, as katsugi-okedo uses different muscles than normal taiko playing. It was an incredibly touching gesture from a man without whom kumidaiko might not not exist in America.
Add in the many many names I passed multiple times a day, and it was a pleasant reminder that while taiko’s history in America is rich, it’s still young. That first generation of taiko performers, who have been playing for 30-40 years now are still playing today. Being able to see them all come together to perform at the Welcome Reception (videos of which I hope to put up on YouTube once I get back to Pittsburgh) was a true joy.
Community
This weekend helped me realize just how much taiko in America is about community. For a few days, hundreds of people (around 500 this year, I heard) gather in one place, united by their love of taiko. People from all ages, places, backgrounds… taiko is something that everyone has in common. I met a great number of people for the first time this weekend, yet it was easy to settle into a conversation.
At the same time, however, at times it seemed that one’s place in the taiko community is defined somewhat by which group you’re with. Given that I’m not in a group, that put me in a bit of an awkward situation at times. Conversations inevitably started (or wove towards) the question, “so what group are you with?” Unfortunately, there’s nothing that can be done about that for now. But it did give me added incentive to try and start up something taiko-wise in Pittsburgh (not that I needed any more incentive…)
Taiko Jam
Saturday and Sunday presented the opportunity to attend Taiko Jam, the concert that accompanies each NATC. And what an opportunity it was. Beyond the pure joy of watching taiko for 2+ hours, it was a very interesting concert. The first half featured Las Vegas Kaminari Taiko and Kishin Taiko. Each has their own strengths, but they both offered solid, enjoyable taiko performances.
The second half totally changed the game. It featured On Ensemble and Portland Taiko, and was completely different in a way from what the first half offered. In a good way, of course. The first half gave us “traditional” kumidaiko, if one can even say that. Pieces inspired by matsuri-bayashi, original pieces – similar to what many in the US (and abroad) perform. With the second half, however, we were given something completely different. It was still kumidaiko, mind you – that is, literal “group taiko” – but of a different sorts from LVKT and Kishin. On Ensemble could maybe be described as taiko fusion. It uses taiko, and all the members are (very) accomplished taiko performers, but it goes off in a direction unlike almost anything else out there. Each member brings their own unique skills to the table, creating a musical mixture that still feels like taiko. If they ever come to your town, I highly recommend checking them out. Words do not do justice to their music.
And THEN, just when we thought the evening couldn’t get any better, out walked Portland Taiko. Like On Ensemble, here was something… different. Portland’s a little less… out there than On (having a lot in common with LVKT and Kishin), but at the same time they’re off in a different direction. They integrate dance in a way that I’ve never seen before. Certainly, movement is an integral part of kumidaiko – of course, I think that some groups maybe take it a little TOO far – but they take it to another level. Plus, their sense of ma – something that’s kinda of hard to translate into English; sort of “space,” but much more – was incredible. You could FEEL the silence in their music, and it worked perfectly.
After the first night, I was quite glad I had bought tickets to Sunday’s concert. And while the feel of Sunday’s concert was much different – given that most of the NATC participants had left – it was still worth it. I feel like I appreciate the performances that much more, having moved past the initial shock and awe.
So, where do we go from here?
Now that’s the million dollar question, isn’t it. If I wasn’t pumped up enough to play taiko after June’s whirlwind of workshops, I am now. I just have to figure out how to accomplish it. I don’t own a drum (only my self-made practice drums), or anyone else to play alongside, or a place to play, or….
Certainly, there’s a bunch of stuff to overcome. But, I’m feeling rather invigorated. Somehow, I’ll get it done. Even if I have to take a tire drum out into the middle of Schenley Park and bang away for a few hours.
August 5, 2009
NATC Ho!
Tomorrow I depart for the West Coast, LA, and the North American Taiko Conference. This is going to be a trip of many firsts for me: my first trip to LA, my first time attending the NATC, and my first time volunteering at a convention. Yup, I decided to volunteer. Why, you may ask? Well, for a number of reasons.
- I figured it’d be a good way to meet people. Now obviously, I’m going to meet new people at the convention regardless. Heck, I’m only going to know maybe two or three people out of the hundreds that’ll be in attendance, and the chances I’ll run into them may be slim. By being a volunteer, however, I’ll be able to experience the convention in a way that only a few others will share. That tends to help break the ice a little better.
- As mentioned, being a volunteer would give me a good opportunity to see a side of the convention that others typically don’t see. From a research perspective, this could be useful in the future.
- I actually like volunteering/helping out at events like this. Normally I’m not the volunteer type, but someone I tend to enjoy being on staff at events, working beside the scenes at things, etc.
So, I’ll be helping out at the Welcome Reception on Thursday evening, then helping to move equipment Saturday morning. All in all, not that, and I’m not really going to be missing anything either, save one Workshop where my hours overlap with the workshop hours. But that’s a minor price to pay.
Beyond the volunteering side, I’m just in general looking forward to the whole experience. As has been made apparent in earlier posts, I’m a bit alone taiko-wise. Sure, I know people, and I’ve been able to do some playing this summer, but given that I’m back in Pittsburgh now I’m back to being a solitary taiko player in a taiko-less city. This weekend, I’ll be surrounded by people who enjoy playing the same music that I do. We can talk shop, so to speak – can’t really do that with people to whom you have to first explain the ins and outs of “taiko.” Granted, most of these people have MUCH more experience than me. I’ve only been playing for… eight months now, and that’s not even been an consistent 6-7 months: 2 months of classes, a few where I was just practicing by myself once or twice a week, a month of pretty intensive study, and now my current state where I”m not really doing much of anything (taiko or otherwise – I’ve been pretty lazy lately). Still, there’s something to take away from all this. At the very least, it’ll probably motivate me to figure out how I can practice up here in Pittsburgh.
Anywhoo, there’s the long and short of it. For the moment, at least. If you happen to be in LA, and mosy over to Little Tokyo this weekend, keep a look out for me!
Until next time.
The Road Goes Ever On and On... 