This online pamplet is intended as
a short, but hopefully useful, guide for beginners.
The information within is by no means exhaustive,
but only just catches a basic glimpse of the World that is Wadaiko.
Please check back every once in a while for additions.
This edition written on September 15, 2003.
Just a Taste Of the Contents |
Possibly Interesting Facts 1. In Japan, there are currently over 10,000 taiko groups, both amateur and professional. In North America., close to 500 groups. In the U.K., less than 5 groups. 2. Currently, the largest Odaiko in the World is made by Asano Taiko and measures 8shaku 9sun (267 centimeters) in diameter at the head and weighs over 900 kilograms. 3. The world record for most taiko players performing together was over 2,000 players at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano Prefecture. 4. Ondekoza made it's way into the Guiness Book of World Records when members ran the full perimeter of the 48 main states of the U.S. in three years from 1990 - 1993, sometimes averaging 20km per day. |
Good Things To Know 1 You may have heard the word 'Wadaiko' and not understood the meaning. The actual meaning of this word is the same as 'Taiko' outside of Japan. The 'Wa' means 'Japanese', and the 'daiko' literally means 'big drum'. If you are in Japan and say "I play taiko", most people will ask "What kind of taiko?" This is because the basic Japanese meaning of 'taiko' means 'drums', and can include Japanese, African, Western or any kind of drums. Of course, 'Taiko' is a Japanese word, so outside of Japan, people automatically know Taiko are those big Japanese drums. But when in Japan, make sure you say "Yup yup, I play Wadaiko". 2 When playing backbeat on any drum for a whole group or a soloist, don't just play timing. Drive the song, drive and give power to the soloist. Learn how to accent your backbeats to add extra spice. Sometimes that spice can even help everyone reach back and catch that timing cue that may seem to have fluttered away for a moment. Such small things can make the biggest difference between a good backbeat player and a great backbeat player. |