January 2019
Shin-En 101
"Shin-En" means "a celebration of the heart." This original, open-source piece, composed by Mark H, is a favorite among many taiko players throughout the US, Japan, and Europe. Learning "Shin-En" will not only help you to connect with your fellow workshop participants but will also give you a connection to other taiko players around the world. This simple yet dynamic song can be learned by those who are still relatively new to taiko but also features a number of different skills…
Find out more »Shin-En Fue Workshop
Are you a fue player who would like to add a fun, festive piece into your repertoire? Then this workshop is for you! Join guest instructor Lisa Shiota to learn the fue melody that is an integral part of "Shin-En." We guarantee that once you hear the piece with the fue part, the song just won't be the same without it! The first half hour of this workshop will introduce you to the melody. (We'll send participants the sheet music…
Find out more »Advanced Shin-En Workshop
OK, so you've learned the basics of "Shin-En" ... now get ready to kick it up a notch! In this workshop, you'll learn the double drum (shime + okedo) set part for the song ... AND the exciting fast break "hashiru" part ... AND more advanced techniques for the chudaiko part (movement, dynamics, timing, connection to your fellow players, etc). This workshop is open to those who took Saturday's "Shin-En 101" workshop or those who already know the song. Shin-En…
Find out more »Bachi Maneuvers Workshop
Lots of taiko workshops will help you think about your relationship to the drum... but very few taiko teachers will help you think about your relationship to your bachi. That's what this workshop is all about. Learn how to spin, throw, and catch your bachi as Mark H takes you through the basics of bachi maneuvers all the way through to his signature advanced tricks. In this workshop, Mark H will show you how to make simple maneuvers appear more…
Find out more »March 2019
2019 Sakura Taiko Takeover at the Tidal Basin
Save the Date! Winter isn't even here yet, but here at Mark H Taiko, we're already gearing up for our Sakura Taiko Takeover at the Tidal Basin! We'll have a full day of taiko featuring groups from up and down the East Coast. This event started as a small festival in Maryland and has grown each year, showcasing a range of different drumming styles and celebrating Japanese cultural and artistic traditions. We're thrilled to be back at the Tidal Basin…
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