What Songfs What Song in the World of Wadaiko |
1. Miyake Daiko ** Traditional Piece Created on Miyake Island, just off the coast of Tokyo. This song is played horizontally in very low stance. Rhythms are basically simple, but great exertion on the body. Often played with solos. Traditional piece has no solos. Recommended Viewing Examples: Zanpa Ufujishi Daiko, Kodo. 2. Oedo Daiko *** Created by Oedo Sukeroku Daiko Played on three drums...one, a tall, Odaiko-like horizontal stand in the middle, and two on slant stands on either side of the middle drums. Play on just one Naname drum and one side of the middle drum is referred to as Nidan Uchi. Song reaches climax when players jump to opposite sides of the Odaiko stand to play all four drum faces while dancing (Yodan Uchi). 3. Hachijyo Daiko Traditional piece * Ondekoza piece *** (usually only called 'Utsu Hachijo') Created on the island of Hachijo. In the traditional piece, the drum is on a stand slightly lower than a horizontal Odaiko stand. One person plays base rhythm while the person on other side plays an improvised solo. Recommended Examples: Ondekoza, Kodo, Hachijyo Rokunin Kai 4. Midare Uchi *** (known as Matsuri Daiko in U.S.) Created by Oedo Sukeroku Daiko Each person takes their turn improvising on one Nanameuchi drum while others play a slow to fast crescendo for base rhythm. 5. Buchiawase * Traditional A set of simple but driving rhythms and kakegoe is followed by 1 to 3 sets of three people switching in and out on one drum. Played on tachiuchi stands. In the south of Tokyo on the Miura Peninsula, "Buchiawase" is played in the event of a successful round of fishing. There is a contest. One Taiko-group are playing the drums on the mountain in Minsaki, the other group on a mountain on the small opposite island. "Buchiawase" is usually played so powerfully and agressively that it is also called "Kenka Daiko", which means "The Fighting Drums". 6. Yataibayashi * Created by Chichibu Yatai Bayashi in Saitama Prefecture. A drummer plays complicated rhythms while sitting down with the drum between the legs. This style came about from festivals where people would play drums inside rolling carts (yatai), guiding the direction of the cart. There is very little space inside these carts, so it is necessary to sit and lean backwards while playing. Recommended Examples: Ondekoza, Kodo 7. Hiryu Sandan Gaeshi ** Created by Daihachi Oguchi. Two versions of this composition are in existence. The straight base-rhythm version is the original and well-known all over Japan. The donko base-rhythm version was arranged by Seiichi Tanaka and is known all over the U.S. 8. Isami Goma ** Created by Daihachi Oguchi. Also has two versions. Outside of Japan, Hiryu Sandan Gaeshi and Isama Goma are usually played together almost as one piece. Both versions of Isami Goma are with the Donko base-rhythm. * Public Domain ** Permission Recommended, but not necessary ***Permission Necessary for Performance These and many other songs will help in the taiko practitioners learning process. Being able to play them is a great passport to bright (sometimes surprised) faces and welcoming smiles when visiting the songs creators and/or other taiko groups in any country. |