Comments on: 30 Days to Better Shime http://onensemble.org/2008/12/30-days-to-better-shime/ Neo-traditional taiko Thu, 17 May 2012 01:43:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Margaret http://onensemble.org/2008/12/30-days-to-better-shime/comment-page-1/#comment-10864 Margaret Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:04:59 +0000 http://onensemble.org/?p=606#comment-10864 I noticed that some folks find the call & response drills pretty frustrating. The first time I did the 30 Days program I was able to pause & repeat a particular pattern over & over until I got it, and after about 8-9 days of focusing on any that gave me trouble, they all seemed to get easier. This time through, the call & response drills didn't seem so difficult: As I would listen to an 8-beat pattern, I would try to picture it as two 4-beat patterns back-to-back. Since there's no 4-beat pattern that's NOT in the 1234 drill, it was fairly easy to key into the two patterns used. But....when it came to the final call & response drill where Kris throws in some jazzier rhythms, I was clumsier in playback than the first time through the program. And my rhythmic dexterity score didn't improve much this time. I guess listening just for 4-beat patterns makes the brain lazy. I'll go back to drilling whole 8-beat patterns next time....:) I noticed that some folks find the call & response drills pretty frustrating. The first time I did the 30 Days program I was able to pause & repeat a particular pattern over & over until I got it, and after about 8-9 days of focusing on any that gave me trouble, they all seemed to get easier. This time through, the call & response drills didn’t seem so difficult: As I would listen to an 8-beat pattern, I would try to picture it as two 4-beat patterns back-to-back. Since there’s no 4-beat pattern that’s NOT in the 1234 drill, it was fairly easy to key into the two patterns used. But….when it came to the final call & response drill where Kris throws in some jazzier rhythms, I was clumsier in playback than the first time through the program. And my rhythmic dexterity score didn’t improve much this time. I guess listening just for 4-beat patterns makes the brain lazy. I’ll go back to drilling whole 8-beat patterns next time….:)

]]> By: Phoenix Taiko Kai » Murray’s NATC09 http://onensemble.org/2008/12/30-days-to-better-shime/comment-page-1/#comment-9689 Phoenix Taiko Kai » Murray’s NATC09 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:48:07 +0000 http://onensemble.org/?p=606#comment-9689 [...] Saturday morning’s class was shime technique with Kris Bergstrom. A nicer guy you could not hope to meet and I aim to pass on what I learned about improving dexterity to as mas group members as I can and encourage them all to join his “30 Days to Better Shime” program starting August 15th. http://OnEnsemble.org/2008/12/30-days-to-better-shime/ [...] [...] Saturday morning’s class was shime technique with Kris Bergstrom. A nicer guy you could not hope to meet and I aim to pass on what I learned about improving dexterity to as mas group members as I can and encourage them all to join his “30 Days to Better Shime” program starting August 15th. http://OnEnsemble.org/2008/12/30-days-to-better-shime/ [...]

]]> By: Kris http://onensemble.org/2008/12/30-days-to-better-shime/comment-page-1/#comment-9045 Kris Sat, 18 Jul 2009 06:19:00 +0000 http://onensemble.org/?p=606#comment-9045 Hello Bruna! Thank you for the suggestion! I totally agree and am hoping to start chipping away at videos during this coming session of the program. I've ordered a video camera and everything. More soon! Hello Bruna! Thank you for the suggestion! I totally agree and am hoping to start chipping away at videos during this coming session of the program. I’ve ordered a video camera and everything. More soon!

]]> By: Bruna http://onensemble.org/2008/12/30-days-to-better-shime/comment-page-1/#comment-8987 Bruna Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:59:06 +0000 http://onensemble.org/?p=606#comment-8987 The guide is great! Could I give a suggestion? How about make some videos with each day (besides audio tracks)? At least for me, I prefer seeing to understand better. Thanks! The guide is great! Could I give a suggestion? How about make some videos with each day (besides audio tracks)? At least for me, I prefer seeing to understand better. Thanks!

]]> By: kris http://onensemble.org/2008/12/30-days-to-better-shime/comment-page-1/#comment-2982 kris Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:58:07 +0000 http://onensemble.org/?p=606#comment-2982 Yo Margaret, Cathie, and Colin! Thank you so much for the feedback! It means a lot to me to hear the program was useful and helped you all too. Great work!!! Yo Margaret, Cathie, and Colin! Thank you so much for the feedback! It means a lot to me to hear the program was useful and helped you all too. Great work!!!

]]> By: Colin http://onensemble.org/2008/12/30-days-to-better-shime/comment-page-1/#comment-2976 Colin Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:04:58 +0000 http://onensemble.org/?p=606#comment-2976 Hey Kris, I finished 30 days a week ago. My hands came a good ways and I am really happy about that. Especially for my left hand. I haven't played with a match grip in so long all I can play is using traditional. The bachi felt like a stranger in my left hand. But, 30 days started making the bachi feel more comfortable in my hand in match grip. So, definitely I showed real progress each day but what I have found to be most beneficial is that it kind of reenergized me. It pointed out so many areas where I have regressed since my drumline days and it has just inspired me to practice more. You did an excellent job of mixing so many different aspects of small drum in I was never bored. I'm a big fan of ice skater, I've played versions of it before. It is really fun with flams. Anyway, thanks for all the hard work and help along the way. You really have winner with this program and I am so thankful to have been able to experience it. Keep up the good work. I'll talk to you soon. Hey Kris,

I finished 30 days a week ago. My hands came a good ways and I am really happy about that. Especially for my left hand. I haven’t played with a match grip in so long all I can play is using traditional. The bachi felt like a stranger in my left hand. But, 30 days started making the bachi feel more comfortable in my hand in match grip. So, definitely I showed real progress each day but what I have found to be most beneficial is that it kind of reenergized me. It pointed out so many areas where I have regressed since my drumline days and it has just inspired me to practice more. You did an excellent job of mixing so many different aspects of small drum in I was never bored. I’m a big fan of ice skater, I’ve played versions of it before. It is really fun with flams. Anyway, thanks for all the hard work and help along the way. You really have winner with this program and I am so thankful to have been able to experience it. Keep up the good work. I’ll talk to you soon.

]]> By: Cathie http://onensemble.org/2008/12/30-days-to-better-shime/comment-page-1/#comment-2038 Cathie Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:48:52 +0000 http://onensemble.org/?p=606#comment-2038 Hi Kris ~ I did it! I stuck with the program and finished. I find it easy to practive daily if someone is telling me what to practice. Being a novice musician I found the program informational on several different levels. I have never used a metronome before so this was challenging to get the hang of hitting everyother metronome beat etc. I'm not sure I have become a better shime player but I deffinetly have a better understanding of the music side. Several light bulds went off during the program. Thanks for all you work and sharing of your talents. I plan to repeat the program starting and finishing with version 2. You ROCK!!! Hi Kris ~
I did it! I stuck with the program and finished. I find it easy to practive daily if someone is telling me what to practice. Being a novice musician I found the program informational on several different levels. I have never used a metronome before so this was challenging to get the hang of hitting everyother metronome beat etc. I’m not sure I have become a better shime player but I deffinetly have a better understanding of the music side. Several light bulds went off during the program. Thanks for all you work and sharing of your talents. I plan to repeat the program starting and finishing with version 2. You ROCK!!!

]]> By: Margaret http://onensemble.org/2008/12/30-days-to-better-shime/comment-page-1/#comment-2022 Margaret Thu, 01 Jan 2009 08:52:25 +0000 http://onensemble.org/?p=606#comment-2022 Hi Kris - Finished Day 30 in the wee hours of Dec 31...terrific course, thanks much! Tons of great learning moments, and measurable improvement in several areas, although I haven't quite got the hang of doubles yet. Looking forward to repeating the course in a while and maybe trying faster tempi as the month goes along; warm-up time estimates for the later sessions seem a tad optimistic. (Definition of eternity: 16's drill at slow tempo :) - my metronome always nodded off partway.) Loved the Rhythm Maker (nostalgia trip) but couldn't remember/figure out how to make it work. Also loved the "uncertain soloist" exercise. So - two thumbs up for the course overall, and happy new year to you and yours! Hi Kris – Finished Day 30 in the wee hours of Dec 31…terrific course, thanks much! Tons of great learning moments, and measurable improvement in several areas, although I haven’t quite got the hang of doubles yet. Looking forward to repeating the course in a while and maybe trying faster tempi as the month goes along; warm-up time estimates for the later sessions seem a tad optimistic. (Definition of eternity: 16′s drill at slow tempo :) – my metronome always nodded off partway.) Loved the Rhythm Maker (nostalgia trip) but couldn’t remember/figure out how to make it work. Also loved the “uncertain soloist” exercise. So – two thumbs up for the course overall, and happy new year to you and yours!

]]> By: kris http://onensemble.org/2008/12/30-days-to-better-shime/comment-page-1/#comment-1637 kris Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:27:15 +0000 http://onensemble.org/?p=606#comment-1637 This is a rare instance where I'm not using numbers to embed a secret code in the music. No literal composition happening here. :) This is a rare instance where I’m not using numbers to embed a secret code in the music. No literal composition happening here. :)

]]> By: Wendy http://onensemble.org/2008/12/30-days-to-better-shime/comment-page-1/#comment-1634 Wendy Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:25:48 +0000 http://onensemble.org/?p=606#comment-1634 K- As for the metronome speeds, I tried to suggest tempos that fit the goals of particular exercises. W- So it's not a special "music notation" thing, just feel, and I'm reading too much into the number "meaning"? K- As for the metronome speeds, I tried to suggest tempos that fit the goals of particular exercises.

W- So it’s not a special “music notation” thing, just feel, and I’m reading too much into the number “meaning”?

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