Arts
Thinking about making taiko your job? There are things to think about, decisions to make, finances to fix, before making the jump. Isaku Kageyama and I talk about these through the lens of our own experiences in this edition of the TaikoSkin Podcast.audioPlayer( "EP18PRP", "http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10907961/TaikoSkinPodcast/Pro%20Prep.mp3", "Before Going Pro") Tip of the MonthIf taiko is your job, find something other than taiko that will help you wind down and relax. As Isaku discusses, jobs can be stressful, even if its something you love to do, so it can be helpful to find others means of fun as well.Video of the MonthThis month's video is a brief talk by percussionist, Bill Summers, who discusses the importance of silence and slow tempos in music, and how they can be more difficult than playing fast, complicated pieces. FeedbackSend in your questions and comments to: taikoskinpodcast@gmail.com Here are some other taiko related resources you might find helpful:Isaku's Homepage:http://www.isakukageyama.com/ Taiko Information:Taiko Playing StylesWhy are Taiko Drums So Expensive?How to Play Taiko Drums5 Ways to Get Better at TaikoFinding and Learning Taiko MusicGetting in Taiko Playing ShapeTaiko Drums vs Other PercussionTaiko Building:Where to Get Taiko DrumsHow to Make a Happi CoatHow to Make a Taiko DrumHow to Make Handles on a Taiko DrumHow to Make Shime and Oke Taiko HeadsHow to Make Taiko Skin (Drum Heads from Cow HideHow to Make Practice Taiko DrumsHow to Paint a Taiko DrumHow to Make Practice Shime DrumsHow to Make Taiko Sticks (Bachi)How to Make Tire TaikoHow to Raise MoneyTaikoSkin Podcast The TaikoSkin podcast covers a whole range of topics related to taiko- building drums, starting groups, getting performances offers, going to grad school. Just about anything really. Download them in the iTunes store, or find all of the episodes here.As always, take care and keep on drummin'.