Group Lessons are a great way for you and your taiko group to learn from some of Japan’s top instructors. Yoichi Watanabe, leader of Amanojaku, is recognized as one of the greatest masters and composers of the traditional Japanese art form. In his 30 years as a performer and instructor, Mr. Watanabe has taught as well as composed pieces for over 50 groups throughout the world.
The backbone of Mr. Watanabe’s playing style is fundamentals. “Good fundamentals will open the door to playing and expressing anything that you want,” says Mr. Watanabe. If you are a beginning to intermediate player, learning fundamental techniques, movements, and basic rhythms that will add a whole new flavor to your group’s existing pieces.
If you are a more experienced player, you can learn Kabuki sound effects that will make your drum sound as powerful and unforgiving as crashing waves, or as sensitive and delicate as falling snow. You can also learn how the voice is used in Noh theatre to create space and tension through unspoken notes.
From 2004-2008, Mr. Watanabe has traveled across the globe, teaching youth groups in Brazil, as well as several taiko groups in the United States. As a culmination of his work, Mr. Watanabe’s joint composition with Osuwa Daiko leader Daihachi Oguchi, “Kizuna” was played by 1,200 Japanese-Brazilian taiko drummers in Sao Paulo to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Japanese Immigration to Brazil. His compositions “Brazil Taiko Bayashi” and “Kenka Yatai” have become standards in Brazil, played by over 60 taiko groups throughout the nation.
Duration: | at least 120 minutes |
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Possible Venues: | gymnasiums, studios, concert halls, etc. (Please book a venue beforehand. If you do not have enough drums, we can arrange for additional instruments.) |
Instructor: | Yoichi Watanabe, additional instructors depending on the number of attendees |
Content: | Contact us to discuss what areas you would like to work on. |
Instruments: | Nagadou, Shime, Uchiwa, Hirado, Chappa, Okedo |
Please feel free to contact us with questions, comments or requests. >>
Group Name | Location | Leader | Composition | |
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Odate Magewappa Taiko | Odate-shi Akita-Ken | Junkichi Tabata |
|
Composition,Lessons |
EcchuOshima Taiko | Oshima-tyo Toyama-Ken | Toyokazu Hotta |
|
Arranged existing piece,Lessons |
Heike Taiko | Gokayama Toyama-Ken | 図書恒園 |
|
Composition,Lessons |
Joshu Kanrei Taiko | Fujioka-Shi Gunma-Ken | 上原徳夫 |
|
Composition,Lessons |
OTAIKO za Myojin | Nyuu-Gun Echizen-Tyo | Masaru Uesaka |
|
Composition,Lessons |
Yoshitsune Benkei Taiko | Mogami-Tyo Yamagata-Ken | 板垣喜和衛門 |
|
Composition,Lessons |
Hisagawajo Taiko | Minamiaizu-machi Fukushima-Ken | Hidetomo Baba |
|
Composition,Lessons |
Taikoshudan Sakigake | Kihoku-tyo Ehime-Ken | Kenzo Urata |
|
Composition,Lessons |
Onishi Misugi Taiko | Fujioka-Shi Gunma-Ken | 野口秀平 |
|
Arranged existing piece,Lessons |
Joshu Azuma Taiko | Azuma-Mura Gunma-Ken | Hiroshi Miyauchi |
|
Composition,Lessons |
Amanojaku Hozonkai | Nerima-Ku Tokyo | Seiichi Yoshinari |
|
Composition,Lessons |
Makigari Taiko | Kuroiso-shi Tochigi-Ken | Kuroiso Town Hall | Lessons | |
Nikko Suginamiki Taiko | Imaichi-Shi Tochigi-Ken | Imaichi Town Hall |
|
Composition,Lessons |
Ayutsubo Fujimi Taiko | Nagaizumi-Tyo Shizuokaken | Norio Tsuchiya |
|
Composition,Lessons |
Yoichi Watanabe has trained 6 national Odaiko contest champions and several prize-winning competitors, a feat that requires not only first-class tutelage, but fantastic composition as well. The tough training is well worth the reward of becoming a better Odaiko player.