Date: June 15, 2011
Time: 12:32am (CST)
Playing on iTunes: “Terminal Frost” by Pink Floyd
Location: Martin, TN
Recent Trip: 260 miles
This morning was great. We got in around 4:30a and so that meant since we were getting up at 7:30 that we got 3 hours of floor time. And for some reason that 3 hours felt like a lifetime. It was great. I woke up refreshed and ready for the day. Maybe since we changed time zones the slept must have felt a little different since we’re now in the central time zone. This is the first time I’ve ever changed time zones in America (I’ve been to Ireland).
Today was another break through for our japanese drumming section of the percussion feature. We got to work with Richard Cravin again. He took us in small sections and helped us with our performance, technique, and rhythm when playing the taiko (japanese drum) parts. So with all of this talk of the tribal drumming, I thought that I could focus a blog on talking about the different instruments we use for this specific section in the show.
To preface this, while the pit is playing this tribal drumming parts, the demons on the field are surrounding the angels in a circle jumping up and down taunting them. Throughout the pit, there are three main parts going on. The rhythm section, the shime-daikos (she-may dye-koz), and the djun djuns (june-junes). If you want to think of it like a rock band, the rhythm section is the drum set and the bass player, the djun djuns are the guitarist and the shime daikos are the lead singer/guitarist.
The rhythm section is made up of the timpani, bass drum, ōdaiko (o-dye-ko), and atarigane (a-tear-eh-gah-nee). The atarigane is the main time keeper. It is a small metal plate playing consistent time (like a metronome) with hard mallets.
The ōdaiko is the power of the ensemble. It’s the main beat behind the group. It is known to be the largest drum in the world. It can be measure from 12 inches up to 12 feet in diameter! The largest ōdaikos cannot physically be moved and reside permanently in a temple or shrine. The drum is made from one single piece of wood (as are most taiko) from trees hundreds of years old. We have not received our ōdaiko yet, but when we do, I will post pictures.
I get to play the djun djun (below). A djun djun is actually not a japanese drum. It is a drum from the west African family of bass drums. Traditionally hung by a strap on the shoulder and struck with one drum stick, but for our purposes we have them rest on a snare drum stand.
I’ve learned a lot from being in this group. An immense about the history of drumming and drum corps, different drumming techniques, and lot of performance techniques. It’s a great learning experience and I highly recommended anyone reading this to do or get someone to do drum corps who hasn’t already. It will change your life.
P.S. We did another run through tonight and George said no one can do what we are doing this year and we bring tears to peoples eyes already and we haven’t even perfected the show...get ready for a GREAT season!!
Thought of the Day: “Inspire others by being the best you can be and you will inspire yourself.”
This was very interesting Bobby... I can't wait to hear these instruments the next time we're able to see your show!
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