Mark H Rooney Taiko

Taiko Instructor & Performer

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You are here: Home / Hire Mark H / Workshops

Workshops

Mark H offers several different workshops for a diverse range of abilities and experience.  Mark can design workshops to fit your specific need, event, organization, or taiko group. Drums can be provided for additional fee. Workshop space should ideally be largish with high ceilings and not in a place where noise would be a disturbance to others (*special space requirements listed with workshop requirements).

 

WORKSHOPS FOR ANYONE

Introduction to Taiko

[min 2 hr; designed for those with little to no taiko experience.]

Taiko is a dynamic art-form based on traditional Japanese drumming practiced all over the world. Often described as “full-body drumming,” taiko goes beyond that to engage one’s ki (energy), kata (form) and koe (voice) in the act of drumming.

A comprehensive overview of taiko, this VERY hands-on workshop will start from the basics of taiko form and technique and move into more advanced group-playing as well as traditional song-learning. Workshop includes: fundamentals for playing taiko, background and culture of taiko, use of one’s voice in taiko, kumidaiko drilling (playing as a group), learning taiko music. No experience required! Come hit loud drums with big sticks!

 

Introductory Taiko for Youth

[min 1 hr]

This dynamic workshop is a fun and exciting way to introduce taiko to children of all ages! Learn the basics for kumidaiko (group drumming) as well as cultural context through interactive exercises and games. Aimed at specific age groups or a wide range,  Mark can adjust this workshop to suit the abilities and intentions of the group.

Open to ages 7+ (or by instructor’s permission)

 

WORKSHOPS FOR TAIKO GROUPS

Basics for Beta-uchi (or Naname-uchi or Odaiko) Playing

[min 2 hr]

This will cover the basics of the style and is a good launching point for people who have either played very little taiko or for groups who lack extensive instruction. Or for those who just want to see another approach!

Requires: at least one drum per every two participants (one for one preferred); be sure you have enough drums for the style you want to play.

 

Basics for Katsugi Okedo Playing

[2-3 hours]

The okedo daiko is a tied drum with a barrel-shaped body  that tends to be lighter than taiko made from one piece and is, therefore, portable. The katsugi okedo refers to the okedo that is slung on a strap over the shoulder and allows for the versatility to move about while playing the drum. This style based on Korean drumming and made popular by taiko artists like Leonard Eto and Ryutaro Kaneko has become very popular for its ability to cover a lot of area and perform complicated rhythms on both sides of the drum.

An introduction to this exciting style involves various techniques for hitting the okedo, exercises to practice with and tips on how to move while playing. Available to any level of player with little to no experience playing this style.

Requires:  at least one okedo per every two participants (one for one preferred) a lot of space to move!

 

Build Your Own Practice Katsugi Okedo

[contact for timeline]

Learn how to make a practice okedo from very simple materials that you can decorate, tighten and play like the real thing!

Requires: space to construct drums

 

Drilling: Simple to Challenging

[min 2 hr]

This would be an overview of various drills a group can use to improve their playing. A large range of ability can be covered.
Requires: one drum per person (almost any kind)

 

Double Drum Drilling

[2-3 hours]

Twice the drilling fun! Drilling on two drums is a great way to work on speed, coordination, ambidexterity, bachi control, set playing and connection with fellow players.  Fun and challenging, this series of drills has been either collected by or created by Mark to form a comprehensive drilling process to touch upon many areas of taiko technique.

Requires: one drum per participant +1 (ex: 14 participants = 15 drums)

 

Bachi Maneuvers Workshop

[min 2 hr]

Bachi Tricks Workshop
photo by Tanya Downer

Find out why this is Mark’s most popular workshop! Learn how to spin, throw and catch your bachi as a way to spice up your solo, performance or composition. Learn basic and advanced tricks as well as exercises for how to practice them. Mark H will also reveal the secrets to making simple tricks appear more impressive and the deeper universal philosophies behind these (seemingly) superfluous skills.

Requires: largish room with high ceilings, if possible, and NO concrete floors (tile, carpet, wood, grass, etc.); one drum per participant (beta uchi or naname uchi)

 

 

ADVANCED WORKSHOPS FOR TAIKO GROUPS

Taiko Communication

[min 2 hr]

This workshop emphasizes the connection and communication between taiko players while giving groundwork for improvisation and soloing.  Exercises are designed to increase one’s skills in interacting with, listening to, and being aware of your fellow taiko drummers as you play.  We will explore listening skills, passing energies, vocabulary expansion and other aspects of soloing within a kumidaiko context.

Requires: one drum per person and hopefully, a large drum to play odaiko (though this is not absolutely necessary)

 

“Open Source” Song: Shin-en

[min 3 hr]

This simple yet dynamic song involves a number of skills as a taiko performer and drummer. It has been played by Numerous groups in both the States and Japan and can be easily adapted to fit any taiko groups style or repertoire.

Requires: ideally, one drum per person and somewhere to write and display (whiteboard, large paper)

 

Mark H Rooney’s Approach to Matsuri Soloing/Creating

[ideally, full day]

This workshop breaks down Matsuri soloing (the song inspired by obon rhythms) and also gives a framework for creating your own version of this festive and fun piece.

Requires: at least one drum per 2 participants on a naname stand

 

Masterclass Workshop: Improve Your Current Repertoire 

[min 2 hr]

By observing your existing songs, Mark can offer feedback on how to improve the players’ individual playing, how to work on the presentation and arrangement, how to design drills for specific techniques beneficial to the song or even, suggestions on original compositions.

 

Contact Mark if you have any variation of these workshops or something else entirely in mind – we can work together to custom design a workshop for your group!

 

 

Welcome! ようこそ!

Join us Aug 10 & 11!

  4 workshops. 4 instructors.
1 shared experience.

Events & Workshops

Apr
22
Sun
5:00 PM Introductory Taiko Workshop @ Dance Exchange
Introductory Taiko Workshop @ Dance Exchange
Apr 22 @ 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Introductory Taiko Workshop @ Dance Exchange | Takoma Park | Maryland | United States
Have fun, get a good workout, and meet some awesome people … all while hitting big drums with big sticks! Sign up for Mark H Taiko’s Introductory Taiko Workshop! Taiko is a dynamic art form based on[...]
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Upcoming Classes

Apr
25
Wed
8:00 PM Advanced Skills Class: Spring 2018 @ Dance Exchange
Advanced Skills Class: Spring 2018 @ Dance Exchange
Apr 25 @ 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Advanced Skills Class: Spring 2018 @ Dance Exchange | Takoma Park | Maryland | United States
Are you looking to fine-tune your form, tighten-up your technique and sharpen your taiko skills? The Spring 2018 session of the Advanced Skills Class will kick off on April 25th! Please note that this is[...]
Apr
29
Sun
5:00 PM Spring Recreational Taiko Class @ Dance Exchange
Spring Recreational Taiko Class @ Dance Exchange
Apr 29 @ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Spring Recreational Taiko Class @ Dance Exchange | Takoma Park | Maryland | United States
Want to join the Spring Recreational Taiko Class? Be sure to sign up for the next Introductory Taiko Workshop on April 22nd! Prerequisite: one of Mark’s Introductory Taiko workshops or previous Taiko experience. If you[...]
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  • Just another Saturday night playing traditional taiko, what...? #randomactsoftaiko #kabukimeetsmortalcombat
  • Happy Easter from our warren to yours!  What better way to spend your only Sunday off for the foreseeable future than dyeing Easter eggs (#oldschoolpas)! Also, HEADS UP for those of you who follow for the adorable pics of bunnies - in order to keep this account more about the taiko, we are opening a new account just for our bunnies!  @thewarrenmagellan is the new one (named for our beloved Magellan Bunny) and hope to see some of you over there!
  • Our own personal hanami (cherry blossom viewing) as our young tree blossoms for the first time since planting last year!  #minisakurafest #nottaikobutrelated #randomactsoftaiko
  • Gearing up for the season!  Lots of taiko happening in the next month!  Hope to see folks around DC!  #nationalcherryblossomfestival2018 #taikotakeover #randomactsoftaiko

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About Mark H

Mark H Rooney studies, performs, and teaches taiko: a dynamic form of full-body drumming based in Japanese tradition. Mark combines that traditional foundation with a modern sensibility to create performances and classes that are full of energy, endurance, and excitement!

Interested in bringing taiko to your school, organization, or event? Contact Mark H. Mark will work with you to tailor a workshop or performance to meet your needs…
Mark H Rooney#randomactsoftaiko

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© 2018 Mark H Rooney · Built on the Genesis Framework · by Terry Buck Art