gurdymonkey | Something in the air

I think there must have been something in the air at taiko last night. We've got a performance Sunday during a fundraiser crab feed at a local community center and Shannon-sensei was told the "stage" would be a section of floor 12' x 8', so we can only have so many drums and bodies in said space. He marked out those dimensions and we practiced all cozy like.

At one point, Shannon-sensei said he should issue clown wigs and red noses to go with our happi because of how much goofiness went on. Josh, Clint, Emily and I were probably the worst perpetrators, but in spite of the kidding around - of which, I admit, there was much - we not only managed to make the arrangements work on the pieces we're doing in the stripped-down for, we ROCKED.

Because of the staging needs of this gig, half of us are playing on "Shinkyoku" and half on "Jisshin." Of necessity, "Jisshin" has solos in it so our less experienced drummers are doing "Shinkyoku." The first time through it was pretty ragged. Gail looked completely lost and there were a couple spots where everyone was coming in at different times. By the third run through, though, Dave had figured out "Ignore 'em all, play like you own it," which gave everyone someone confident AND loud to latch onto and it was sounding much more solid.

I had a brain fart during "Shinkyoku" on the first time through, but got myself together and hammered through my solo anyway. Da Boys were their usual powerhouse finish, Little Emily always looks amazing and Other Emily was playing harder than I've ever heard her from my side of the o-daiko.

And all this accomplished with the sort of goofballery I cannot possibly imagine flying at some taiko dojos.