I just wanted to mention that I would love to see a workshop for exploring multiple drums and varying/layering tones. And, ditto what Chad and Masaye say! In-depth, but starting with the basics, chappa workshop would be wonderful. Thanks for considering!

For those of you who would like to propose a workshop of your own, submissions are now be accepted at the Taiko Conference website. http://www.taikoconference.org/submit-a-workshop

I’ve personally proposed the following:

Movement and Flow — Develop a rocking Matsuri solo
Learn new moves, new rhythms, and new techniques for creating an engaging Matsuri Daiko solo! Most Matsuri Daiko solos are “flat” and monotonous. This workshop guides participants through using movement, flow, and the basic structure of Matsuri Daiko (don kara ka ka) to make solos that are individualized, musical, and exciting!

Making Group Practice Effective, Making Individual Practice Fun
During group practice, how do we keep everyone engaged and benefitting from drills? How do we motivate others and ourselves to practice on our own? In this unique workshop, participants learn a suite of useful drills designed to challenge players at all levels, and how to help individual players make time for, and feel motivated to, practice.

TIASOU Method: Fast, Safe, and Effective Shime Tightening
It’s possible! Shime tightening can be fast, effective, and (dare I say it) fun! Learn how to get that wonderfully high shime tone, avoid the dreaded clam-shell, and do it all without sore hands! Learn the full TIASOU Method, a one-person process for shime daiko tightening developed by the facilitator. The TIASOU Method emphasizes technique over strength and seeks to make shime-tightening a formalized and enjoyable practice. Participants receive printed, take-home materials on the process.

Intro to Timing, or How Not to Rush!
Many taiko players lament, “I have a bad sense of rhythm.” This isn’t true! Gain a fundamental understanding of the logic of rhythm, along with the skills necessary to practice and improve timing.

Composition Tips and Tricks
Want to write a taiko piece? Learn straight-forward concepts for creating expressive, interesting taiko music, along with the powerful “literal composition” technique for overcoming writer’s block. This workshop debuts the first installment of the “Compose by Numbers” program, a printed guide to writing taiko music.

30 Days to Better Shime
This one-of-a-kind workshop is an in-depth exploration of shime-daiko basics, followed by 30 days of guided practice. Workshop participants learn how to hold the batchi, the basic strike, and practical drills for improving speed and control. From there, individuals can take on the full 30 Days to Better Shime program, a free, month-long guided series of daily exercises already enjoyed by hundreds of taiko players around the world!

I think a lot of groups overlook the visual aspect of taiko. I know our group needs a lot of work in that area. Me personally, I think I plan on taking a shime, odaiko, and fue class this year.

Also, it may not be popular, but Shoji’s how to stand at the drum is a workshop that everyone should just about be forced to go through.

‘Advanced Skills and Drills’ by Kristy Oshiro ‘Fun and challenging’
‘An Introduction to Itsuka’ by Michelle Fujii ‘unique choreography’
‘Doubling Up!’ by Bryan Yamami ‘ ‘Fun hip hop inspired rhythms, unmasking the seemingly complex rhythms playing on 2 drums’
‘Improvisation and Spontaneous Creativity’ by Russell Baba and Jeanne Mercer
‘Understanding Rhythmic Relationships’ by Kevin Higa ‘simple patterns overlaying with each other to create complex rhythm’
‘Master Class’ by Seiichi Tanaka ‘shall I say more? It’s Tanaka sensei!’
‘Nanchu Soran Bushi’ by Toru Watanabe ‘Toru is such a great dancer and teacher!’
‘Odaiko Kihon’ by Kenny Endo ‘It’s Kenny Endo!”
‘Omiyage (chu-daiko)’ by Yuta Kato ‘fun and challenging piece to play’
‘Solid Shime Daiko Playing’ by Kenny Endo
‘Visual Phrasing: Taiko in Motion’ by Michelle Fujii ‘I love her folk dance inspired choreography’
‘Odaiko II’ by Tiffany Tamaribuchi ‘Very detail explanation of how to use power more effectively’
‘Japanese folk dance Jangara’ by Michelle Fujii ‘This is a STI 2007 workshop. Beautiful solemn funeral dance piece.’

Workshops I wish I have taken:

‘Katsugi Okedo’ by Shidara or Ringtaro Tateishi
‘How to Create & Recognize a Good Taiko Sound’ by Etuo Hongo
‘Injury Prevention for the Taiko Drummer’ by JoJo Salami
‘Interlocking Rhythms: Building Complexity from Simple Ideas’ by Shoji Kameda
‘Learning to Hear and Play in Time’ by Shoji Kameda
‘Ondeko — Demo Drummers of Sado Island’ by Kasuga Onigumi
‘Rhythm Management’ by Adam Weiner
‘Shime Playing: Control, Speed, and Melody’ by Kris Bergstrom
‘Taiko Timing, An Introduction (or, How ot to Rush)’ by Kris Bergstrom
‘Wrists!’ by Adam Weiner

New workshops recommendation:

‘How to make a good taiko sound’
‘intricate rhythm made simple’

Also, I’d be interested in the following:

choreography – how to make a piece visually interesting
dance/movement – how to incorporate significant movement into a piece
new drills – definitely

Thanks for doing this!