Naname Fundamentals

• Stance

  • Wide, relaxed stance

  • Hara (your center or hips) face the taiko

  • Knees are slightly bent, not locked

  • Left toes facing taiko

  • Right foot parallel to left foot and slightly behind

• Bachi position

  • Arms are straight and relaxed. Do not lock your elbows

    • Arms should be held at width of your chest

  • Tips of bachi are pointing towards the center of the taiko, forming a "V."

  • Use your ring and pinkie fingers to control your bachi. The rest of your fingers should be loosely wrapped around the bachi

  • Palms should be facing each other

• Stroke

  • Keep a loose grip

  • Grip only tightens when bachi bounces back after striking drum and then relax

  • Use the momentum of the bachi! Practice inhaling when lifting your bachi up then exhaling when you drop your arm

• Lead with your elbow

  • Both arms follow parallel lines at the angle of the taiko

Taiko Drill

• Practice right and left arm separately then alternating

• Start with both arms down, bachi pointing at center of taiko

• Right arm

  • Palm up

  • Lift arm and open your body up only until your arm is parallel to your body

  • Leading with your elbow, follow the line to strike the center of the drum

• Left arm

  • Palm down

  • Lift arm across your chest at an upward angle so your forearm lands at your chin

  • Leading with your elbow, follow the same line to strike the center of the drum

• Alternate right and left. Resting arm should be in ready position at the taiko