Last Saturday, my PS 161 students and I went to see the Yamato Drummers, a taiko drumming group from the Nara prefecture of Japan, supposedly the birthplace of the art. They presented a modernized take on the art, incorporating elements of humor, acting, audience participation, and competition into their performance. One particularly memorable piece was conducted with only hand cymbals. Control over the group's rhythm was passed like a ball through mimed throws and catches, all acting in concert with a regular beat kept by other members of the group. Maybe the best description for the pieces we heard is order in chaos. In the drumming pieces with the full ensemble, there were ten different rhythms falling in and out of unison yet all the while staying perfectly paced. The differences in beats and paces complemented one another, creating a sort of pitchless harmony.
The modernization of the drumming technique was presented as a way of keeping the instrument relevant, diversifying its application, and increasing its exposure. But within the creative new style, the tradition of the drum and its significance were conserved. The performers mimicked their performance. They were young and passionate and took great joy from their art. They played with smiles on their faces, but their brows were furrowed, for they were serious in their frivolity. Their discipline shone through clearly. I took this off of the Yamato website, as I believe it explains the balance between tradition and innovation and their motives behind their artistic choices well.
Photo Credits: http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2013/10/31/11293012/YamatoPhoto2.jpg
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