USEFUL LINKS
These insightful links can help provide a greater understanding and appreciation of the many aspects of taiko and the music industry in both written and aural formats.
A BASIC INTRO TO TAIKO AND WHY IT'S AWESOME
This blog provides a brief introduction to taiko and the many different types of taiko available. The author also talks about terminology and some of the conventions that taiko players face such as methods of learning and reviewing material. The author's viewpoint is also unique in that many of the current experiences of taiko have come from North American taiko players; however, the author was first introduced to taiko in Japan and her experiences are different than that of many young taiko players today. It provides for another perspective into the world of taiko.
THE BANGERZ x SAN JOSE TAIKO "ROBOT REMAINS" (LIVE @ SubZERO FESTIVAL)
The collaboration between DJ Group the Bangerz and San Jose Taiko can be seen as one the most notable performances for the integration of taiko into another genre of music. Taiko in the electronic music genre adds a visual element to the performance that accompanies the additional powerful beats provided by the drums. There have been other examples of taiko's incorporation within another music; however, many taiko groups must compromise in their visuals in order to let the artist shine in the spot light. In this video, San Jose Taiko is given a wider range of creative freedom to choreograph movements that would otherwise be deemed too distracting in other musical performances.
DISCOVER NIKKEI - JOHNNY MORI INTERVIEW
Discover Nikkei interviews Johnny Mori, one of the seminal members of Kinnara Taiko, the second oldest taiko group in the United States. Mori reflects on Kinnara's growing as a group as well as discusses conventions that have arisen within in the North American taiko community. The interview not only addresses taiko but also the meaning of being Japanese American (Nikkei). This interview can be helpful for various reasons: understanding some implications that taiko faced in the early development stages, but also acknowledging roots in order to properly move forward in the future.
POPULAR MUSIC ANALYSIS AND MUSICOLOGY: BRIDGING THE GAP
An essay on musicology that addresses popular music in the ethnomusicological sense, defining characteristics that qualify music as popular. The essay also analyzes popular music in a way similar to analyses of western classical music, and can be very good for understanding the conventions of popular music structure. The applications of this analysis can also be applied to taiko in various ways, as many simple kumidaiko pieces follow a very similar structure to popular music.
RADIUM AUDIO - TRIDENT NEON FU
As discusses on the Soundtrack tab, Radium Audio does a wonderful job of briefly touching upon some of the conventional challenges that are faced when dealing with taiko in music. Their use of audio files of sampled taiko and recorded live taiko help us understand how different they sound despite the clear quality of the recording. Their audio files can help listeners discern taiko within musical scores as well as help discern sampled and live taiko recordings.
SAN JOSE TAIKO x BANGERZ: INTERVIEW WITH FRANCO IMPERIAL
An interview with San Jose Taiko artistic director Franco Imperial detailing their process in collaborating with The Bangerz as well as addressing the status of North American taiko, its roots, and inspirations. The interview also touches on the melding of taiko with other musics and the line between what is considered taiko and what is considered 'not' taiko. Imperial states that North American taiko is not just Japanese but is drawn from the many experiences and influences of the time period in which it began (1970s) and also their members. Hence, taiko is ever evolving with constant innovations and life that keep taiko interesting and a captivating experience for players and audience alike.
TAIKOPROJECT STUDY GUIDE
The TAIKOPROJECT study guide prepares the reader for taiko, engaging in the history of the artform and various terms and concepts within taiko. The study guide also provides an article discussing the early periods of taiko and the beginnings in the United States. The study guide reviews equipment and the many traditional Japanese instruments that have made their way into the taiko community. Rhythm concepts are also touched upon, discussing what rhythm means and what it means in a group dynamic.
TRUE TALL TAIKO TALES
This blog reflects on many of the challenges and issues of a taiko player as well as addressing very contemporary issues in regards to culture, media, musical concepts, and self improvement. The author discusses taiko in new settings such as the collaboration of San Jose Taiko with DJ group The Bangerz, and the most recent performance of Katy Perry's Unconditionally in relation to cultural appropriation. The blog is updated every Monday and Thursday, touching on many interesting and insightful topics.
WADAIKO IN JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES: THE INTERCULTURAL HISTORY OF A MUSICAL GENRE
This dissertation written by Benjamin Jefferson Pachter goes into full detail discussing the origins of taiko, defining many concepts such as "wadaiko" being based on language. Pachter focuses on taiko in both the Japanese and American perspectives and the strong traditions that the Japanese styles of taiko have translated across boundaries and generations. Pachter also discusses taiko in the many genres and creative outlets that are now possible elaborating on the metamorphosis of taiko creativity and performance within Japan and eventually moves on to taiko within North America and the presence of the cultural melting pot that North America is and it being able to provide many inspirations to modern day (Japanese) American taiko.
WYNN YAMAMI - TAIKO IN NORTH AMERICA AND THE DILEMMA OF WORLD MUSIC PERFORMANCE
This great video addresses foundations of North American taiko and the challenges of appropriation of music, ownership of pieces, identity, community, copyright infringement, as well as the creation of the North American taiko history. Yamami's lecture is a very useful resource to those interested in the history of North American taiko and the many challenges that the early founders of taiko faced. Viewers will be able to take away lessons on Asian American identity and a taiko community as a whole, being able to reflect on both innovation and tradition within kumidaiko.
REFERENCES AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
FROM HISTORY
- Yakudo. "The Roots of Taiko." 2012. http://www.yakudo.com/taiko-history-yakudo-about/history-of-taiko/. [12.5.2013]
- Rolling Thunder. "Overview and History." 2006. http://www.taiko.com/taiko_resource/history.html. [11.27.2013]
- The Hiryu Project. "Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchi." http://www.hiryu-project.com/daihachi.html. [12.7.2013]
- Rolling Thunder. Leong, David. "Oedo Sukeroku Daiko FAQ." Mar 1, 1999. http://www.taiko.com/taiko_resource/history/oedo_faq.html. [12.8.2013]
- Rolling Thunder. "Overview and History." Taiko in the United States.
- Layton, Stephen. "San Jose Taiko and the Bangerz Join Forces for Weekend Show." June 11, 2013. http://activate.metroactive.com/2013/06/san-jose-taiko-and-the-bangerz-join-forces-for-weekend-show/. [12.8.2013]
- Moeschl, Richard. "On Ensemble: Taiko drumming meets hip-hop, rock, and electronica." May 8, 2009. http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090508/TEMPO/905080308&cid=sitesearch [12.8.2013]
FROM GENRES - SOUNDTRACK
- The Music of the Lord of the Rings - Instruments. (2007). http://student.mica.edu/jjennette/Soundtrack/instruments.html#1 [12.2.2013]
- Demosthenes. "Wellington recording for The Hobbit soundtrack recording completed." Mockingjay Hunger Games. (2013). http://www.mockingjayhungergames.com/wellington-recording-for-the-hobbit-soundtrack-recording-completed/ [12.1.2013]
- Interview with Composers of Avatar: The Last Airbender. (2008) http://www.soundtrack.net/content/article/?id=252 [12.7.2013]
FROM GENRES - POP MUSIC
- Middleton, Richard. "Popular music analysis and musicology: Bridging the gap." Popular Music. 12.2 (1993) 177-190. https://www.amherst.edu/media/view/88640/original/Middleton%2B-%2BPopular%2BMusic%2BAnalysis%2Band%2BMusicology-%2BBridging%2Bthe%2BGap%2B.pdf [12.9.2013]
- Rhythmyk. "Review: San Jose Taiko x The Bangerz" True Tall Taiko Tales (2013). http://truetalltaikotales.blogspot.com/2013/06/review-san-jose-taiko-x-bangerz.html [12.3.2013]
- Various Authors. 'Reviews of Echo and Flow.' LOUD Press (2012) http://www.taikoelectric.com/press.html [12.10.2013]
- Bergstrom, Kristofer. 'Taiko with Kanye West at the VMA.' (2009) http://onensemble.org/2008/09/taiko-with-kanye-west-at-the-vma/
- "Imagine Dragons Large Taiko Drum." (2013) https://www.taikos.com/imagine-dragons-large-taiko-drum/ [12.10.2013]
- Levy, Piet. "Imagine Dragons delivers powerful show at sold-out Eagles Ballroom." JS Online (March, 2013). http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/dragons04-vr8udd5-194596651.html [12.8.2013]
FROM GENRES - WORLD MUSIC
- Olsen, Dale A. "World Music and Ethnocology -- Two Views" College Music Society Newsletter (May, 1992) http://www.musicology.ucla.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1267:world-music-and-ethnomusicology&catid=93&Itemid=226 [12.10.13]
- Yamami, Wynn. "Taiko in North American and the Dilemma of World Music Performance. (2013) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LHC6apI3sg [12.10.2013]
- Rooney, Mark H. "What is Taiko?" http://www.markhrooney.com/taiko-classes/what-is-taiko/ [12.10.2013]