music research paper
Hana1234
interviewquestion.docx1. Could you briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Reid Taguchi. I’m a founder and lead instructor at San Fernando Valley Taiko.
2. How did you first become a drummer, and what was your early training regimen like?
I started playing taiko in college at UCLA. I was originally a classically trained flute player and I was looking for a musical outlet at school. A friend of mine who was already on the team approached me about trying out and I decided to try it out. I ended up loving it and staying with the team for all 4 years of college. Our rehearsal schedule was 2 days a week, for about 4 hours each. This would expand to 3 days a week when we were preparing for important performances.
3. Why do you want to become an instructor teaching people about taiko music?
As a senior member of my group at UCLA, I began teaching our younger members and I fell in love with the process. After graduating, I really missed playing taiko and teaching so I decided to start my own group. It’s probably the thing I’m most proud of creating in my life right now. It’s hard to describe the pride I feel when my students succeed and it feels good to bring this cultural art to the valley and to give folks the opportunity to learn it if they are interested.
4. There are many different types of taiko drums. Would you like to introduce three common drums and identify the differences between them?
3 types of taiko we commonly use in class are odaiko, chudaiko, and shime. Odaiko are the enormous drums you typically associate with taiko. These are used for deep, loud tones in an ensemble setting but are also commonly used for solos. Chudaiko are medium sized drums (about 20” in diameter) and these are the drums we use most commonly. Using different stands, these drums can be played in a variety of styles. Shime are the smallest drums and are used to keep time in an ensemble because their pitch is so high.
5. How long have you perform in taiko music and do you want to share some interesting story when you performing?
I’ve been performing taiko for about 8 years. One of my favorite experiences performing was in college. We used to do a performance for a daycare every year and it’s always the most fun. The kids get really into the music and start dancing around in front of us. It’s beautiful that they’ve never seen or heard music like that but it reaches them on such a deep level that they’re inspired to dance and participate.
6. Could you explain why some people think taiko is “Heartbeat of Japan”?
Taiko drums have been in existence for thousands of years and have similar equivalents all across Asia. I think taiko is typically associated with Japan because it represents power, spirituality, and culture. To be fair, my experience has been with American taiko and not necessarily Japanese taiko. American taiko as we know it is more entertainment focused, while taiko still holds a traditional and cultural role in Japan such as in festivals or ceremonies.
7. In recent years, there are more taiko groups and organizations than past decades. Do you know the reason why it increases rapidly in recent years?
I would mainly attribute it to the popularization of Japanese culture in America compared to the post-WWII social climate and attitude towards Japanese Americans in the late 40’s to late 70’s until the redress movement. I believe that the current culture we live in is so free in what folks are open to especially when it comes to music. There are more taiko groups now because there are more people open to learning new things and taiko is inherently fun and tends to breed community and acceptance.
8. Do you see any major differences between U.S and Japan musicians when they are performing taiko music?
