The 4 Principles of Taiko

 

Musical Technique: This is the "how to" of playing the drums. It is how hard or soft to hit or how fast or slow to play. We learn how best to strike with our bachi (drumsticks) and where to hit the drum. It also includes how we learn our music which may be by imitation or through oral or written notation.

 

Kata: Form and stance are important to martial arts and taiko. This is where we learn how to stand and how to move. It is important to show both strength and grace. It is also where we learn the form and style of other taiko groups and consider how to incorporate aspects of their style in our own playing.

 

Attitude: As artists we learn to respect ourselves and others, to respect the drums and, especially, the culture and history of taiko itself. We also have a respect for the things we have not learned yet. It is keeping a "beginner's mind" and understanding that no matter how much we know we still have much more to learn. There is always something we can improve.

 

Ki: "Ki" is the energy that flows through everything. We put our energy into the drums when we build them and when we play them. Shark Taiko members from years before have also put their ki into the drums and the group. In a sense, their energy will always be part of Shark Taiko. The word "kiai" come from the word ki. We shout or "kiai" when we perform to encourage our fellow players to play with more heart. We send them our "ki" or energy. We also send our energy out to the audience and, hopefully, they will send it back to us. This is what makes taiko so exciting!